publishing strategy Archives

AppWizard

May 20, 2026

Lords Of The Fallen II No Longer Epic Games Store Exclusive On PC

CI Games has entered into a separation agreement with Epic Games Publishing, allowing Lords of the Fallen II to be distributed across various PC storefronts instead of being exclusive to the Epic Games Store. CI Games will self-publish the game while PLAION will handle global physical distribution. The game will utilize Unreal Engine 5 and Epic Online Services for features like cross-platform multiplayer and co-op functionalities. Lords of the Fallen II is scheduled to launch later this year for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

PlayStation reportedly confirms end of PC support for major single-player games as CEO commits to console exclusivity

Hermen Hulst, CEO of PlayStation Studios, confirmed that major narrative-driven titles from PlayStation studios will be exclusive to the PlayStation platform. This indicates a shift in Sony's strategy, favoring exclusivity for flagship single-player intellectual properties. While some titles like Horizon Hunters Gathering may still release on both PC and PlayStation, major studio productions will likely be exclusive. Notable exceptions include Helldivers 2, which will launch on Xbox, and the PS5 shooter Saros, which will not be available on PC. Upcoming title Kena: Scars of Kosmora will be published on Steam and the Epic Games Store, while also being listed under Sony Interactive Entertainment on the PlayStation Store. The multiplayer game Horizon Hunters Gathering is expected to launch on PC, but future mainline entries in the Horizon series featuring protagonist Aloy are unlikely to see a PC release. Titles like Ghost of Yotei and Marvel's Wolverine are expected to remain exclusive to PlayStation.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

Sony Ends PC Ports For PlayStation Single-Player Games, Reverses Multi-Platform Strategy

Sony Interactive Entertainment announced that future internally developed single-player games will no longer be released on PC, as confirmed by CEO Hermen Hulst during a company town hall meeting. This decision means anticipated titles like Ghost of Yotei and Saros will remain exclusive to PlayStation 5, while multiplayer and live-service games will still be released on PC. This marks a shift from Sony's previous strategy that began in 2020, which included bringing major franchises like God of War to PC. The change was influenced by the underperformance of several PC releases and concerns about brand dilution. Upcoming first-party projects expected to remain console-exclusive include the God of War Trilogy Remake and Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, while external publishing agreements like Death Stranding 2 and Kena: Scars of Kosmora will still see PC releases. This strategy aligns Sony more closely with Nintendo's approach to exclusivity, contrasting with Microsoft's broader release strategy.

AppWizard

April 30, 2026

Xbox CEO knows there’s “work to do” to win players back, as Microsoft boss recommits to “core” fans

Microsoft's gaming division is returning to its Xbox roots, with a recent price reduction for the Game Pass subscription. Asha Sharma, the new CEO of Xbox, has indicated plans for collaborations with Discord to enhance community engagement. Under her leadership, Xbox has faced challenges, including a 5% decline in content and services revenue and a 33% drop in hardware sales. However, Microsoft's overall revenue increased by 18% year-on-year. Despite mixed results, new records for monthly active Xbox users and game streaming hours were announced. Sharma and Xbox Chief Content Officer Matt Booty outlined a vision for Xbox that is "affordable, personal, and open," focusing on initiatives like Project Helix and expanding the franchise portfolio.

AppWizard

September 4, 2025

IO unsure it’ll publish more games after MindsEye debacle

Danish game developer IO Interactive faced challenges following the launch of its debut title, MindsEye, which received a tough reception. CEO Hakan Abrak acknowledged the difficulties and the disappointment felt by the studio. He emphasized the commitment to regain gamers' trust and mentioned ongoing work on potential future content. Abrak indicated uncertainty regarding the future of IO Interactive's publishing strategy under its label, IO Partners. The launch in June was disappointing, leading to feelings of heartbreak within the studio and impending layoffs.