publishing Archives

AppWizard

June 7, 2025

Sci-fi action adventure game End of Abyss announced for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC

Epic Games Publishing, in collaboration with Section 9 Interactive, will release the science-fiction action-adventure game End of Abyss in 2026. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC via the Epic Games Store. The game features a narrative centered around Cel, a young combat technician exploring a mysterious underground facility filled with intense combat and exploration. Key features include navigating a sprawling complex, facing overwhelming odds against terrifying creatures, and utilizing tools to uncover hidden areas.

AppWizard

June 6, 2025

Activision says COD microtransaction ads were accidental test

Activision clarified that the microtransactions in the Loadout menus of Black Ops 6 and Warzone were not intended for public release and were part of an internal test that accidentally went live during the Season 04 update. The company stated that this UI feature test, which revealed select store content, was published in error and has since been removed from the live game.

AppWizard

June 5, 2025

Summer Game Fest 2025 preview: The big games and developers to expect at Friday’s livestream

E3 has transitioned into the Summer Game Fest, led by Geoff Keighley, featuring a livestream on June 6 at 2 pm Pacific on YouTube. New developers include Raw Power Games, working on a medieval sandbox game, and Soft Rains, developing a sci-fi action game. Big studios like 505 Games, 2K Games, Bandai Namco, Capcom, CD Projekt, Embark, IO Interactive, Square Enix, Techland, Xbox, PlayStation, Epic Games, Pearl Abyss, and Sega are expected to showcase new titles or updates. Additional partners include 1047 Games, Amazon Games, Annapurna Interactive, Atari, Bellring Games, Blumhouse Games, Coffee Stain, Devolver Digital, Dotemu, Dreamhaven, Enhance, Focus Entertainment, Frontier, Funcom, iam8bit Presents, Kakao Games, Kinetic Games, Kuro Games, Level Infinite, Magic the Gathering, Megabit, Meta Quest, Mundfish, NCSoft, Nekki, Neowiz, Netmarble, Niantic, Nintendo Switch 2, Nuverse, Playstack, PlaySide, PM Studios, Razer, Supermassive Games, Xsolla, and Yacht Club Games. An "intense body horror" game titled ILL and beta access to Soulframe will also be featured, with Hideo Kojima confirmed to attend.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

Death Stranding 2: All the key details on the next game from Hideo Kojima

Norman Reedus first engaged in the surreal world of Death Stranding almost six years ago, and Hideo Kojima is set to unveil the sequel, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach. Kojima Productions is also developing a horror game titled OD and a project reminiscent of Metal Gear called Physint. The original Death Stranding garnered a dedicated fanbase, and the sequel promises to elevate the experience with new elements, including colossal ships, guitar-playing cyborgs, and a ventriloquist dummy resembling Turkish director Fatih Akin. The sequel appears to shift towards a more action-oriented gameplay style. Kojima Productions now owns the intellectual property for Death Stranding 2, which may lead to a shorter release timeline, though it may depend on the publishing agreement with Sony. Sony titles typically see a price reduction upon their eventual release on PC. The latest trailer for Death Stranding 2 debuted at SXSW and features disjointed dialogues and stunning gameplay sequences, highlighting Sam's journey and combat. The trailer emphasizes Neil, a character reminiscent of Solid Snake, and includes notable figures like the President, portrayed by Alastair Duncan. Death Stranding 2 invites players to traverse a post-apocalyptic landscape, delivering packages while encountering adversaries. Sam Porter Bridges will explore new territories, including the Australian outback and Mexico, with dynamic weather events enhancing gameplay. Combat is now a focal point, aiming to balance action and strategy. The story is set 11 months after the original game, with Sam enjoying a quieter existence until the return of Fragile prompts him to connect Mexico to the Chiral Network. New characters include Tomorrow, who can manipulate the game's unique goo, Tarman, inspired by George Miller, and Dollman, a sentient ventriloquist dummy. Neil, portrayed by Luca Marinelli, resembles Solid Snake. Kojima Productions is offering a digital deluxe edition for Death Stranding 2, which includes exclusive cosmetics and early access to certain items. The future of DLC for Death Stranding 2 is uncertain, with no immediate plans for a PS6 release. It seems likely that the sequel will include more unconventional elements similar to the first game. Die-Hardman’s real name is humorously noted as John McClane, reflecting the quirky creativity of the Death Stranding universe.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

Tales Of Kenzera Developer Announces New Horror Game, Dead Take, Coming To PC In 2025

Surgent Studios has announced a new horror game titled Dead Take, set for a 2025 release exclusively on PC, published by Pocketpair Publishing. The game follows an actor who becomes anxious when unable to contact a friend, exploring the darker aspects of the entertainment industry. The studio is maintaining secrecy about the project, with CEO Abubakar Salim highlighting the sensitive nature of the subject matter.

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Jajaja! Microsoft finally gives up pestering EU users about goddamn Edge

Microsoft has been designated as a "gatekeeper" by the European Commission under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), effective September 2023. This designation requires Microsoft to comply with specific measures, including publishing annual reports on its DMA obligations. As part of its compliance, Microsoft has allowed Windows users in the European Economic Area to uninstall the Microsoft Store while keeping previously installed applications functional and updated. Microsoft has also removed persistent prompts to set Microsoft Edge as the default browser, allowing users more autonomy in their choices. When Edge is uninstalled, other Microsoft applications will not prompt users to reinstall it, except for Progressive Web Apps that use Edge technology from the Microsoft Store.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

Dead Take is a first-person horror game out to expose ‘the darkest secrets’ of the entertainment industry: ‘I want players to think, I can’t believe they actually did this’

Surgent Studios has announced its next project, a first-person psychological horror game titled Dead Take, following the success of its debut title, Tales of Kenzera: Zau. In Dead Take, players will take on the role of an actor searching for a missing friend at a lavish party in a dark mansion. The game features object-based puzzles and video clips that reveal the mansion's unsettling past. It draws inspiration from classic titles like The 7th Guest and includes intricately designed 3D environments based on real film sets. The original score is composed by Ross Tregenza. The game is set for release in late 2025 and is currently available for wishlisting on Steam.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

Wizards of the Coast inks “exclusive” publishing agreement with Giant Skull

Wizards of the Coast has entered into an exclusive publishing agreement with Giant Skull to produce action titles that emphasize gameplay and narrative depth. Giant Skull, founded in 2024 by Stig Asmussen and other industry veterans, aims to create immersive storytelling experiences and engaging combat scenarios within the Dungeons & Dragons universe. John Hight, president of Wizards of the Coast, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting the team's talent and the strategic evolution it represents for the company. Details about the upcoming titles are currently limited.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

Torchlight 3 studio Echtra Games, acquired by Zynga in 2021 to help it move into PC and console gaming, is being closed without doing that

Zynga has announced the closure of Echtra Games, the studio behind Torchlight 3, ending development on future titles and reducing roles at the studio. This decision is part of a broader realignment of the company's resources and priorities. Echtra was acquired by Zynga shortly after the release of Torchlight 3, which received mixed reviews. The closure follows the shutdown of NaturalMotion's Star Wars: Hunters and reflects a trend within the gaming industry of companies reassessing their portfolios. Additionally, Take-Two Interactive, Zynga's parent company, has faced a workforce reduction of approximately 5% and sold its Private Division publishing division. The share price of Take-Two fluctuated after the delay of Grand Theft Auto 6, now set for a May 26, 2026 release on consoles.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

People Can Fly lays off staff as it cans two projects

Polish developer People Can Fly has decided to scale down its teams after canceling two projects, Gemini and Bifrost. CEO Sebastian Wojciechowski announced the halt in development due to issues with their publishing partner for Gemini and funding problems for Bifrost. The studio has faced challenges in recent years, including the termination of a publishing deal with Take-Two Interactive in 2022 and two rounds of layoffs in 2024. Despite these setbacks, the studio announced a collaboration with The Coalition on Gears of War: E-Day, set for early 2025.