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The latest Chinese PC gaming hit is an indie game that spent the last 8 years growing into something you've never played before
AppWizard
July 4, 2026

The latest Chinese PC gaming hit is an indie game that spent the last 8 years growing into something you’ve never played before

The Scroll of Taiwu is a Chinese indie game that launched in early access on Steam in 2018 and has recently reached its full version 1.0 after eight years of development. The game focuses on a thoughtful journey through Chinese mythology rather than fast-paced combat, and it combines elements from games like Crusader Kings 2, Kenshi, and Baldur's Gate. It features an expansive open world where players can master martial arts, engage with diverse characters, manage towns, and resolve conflicts. The game has over 5 million words in its script, and while it initially lacked English localization, the recent full release has introduced it, though it is still a work in progress. The game has found a dedicated audience among Chinese players, and its release comes at a time of increasing interest in Chinese-developed games among Western gamers. The developers are working on bug fixes and improving localization post-launch.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
July 3, 2026

The latest Chinese PC gaming hit is an indie game that spent the last 8 years growing into something you’ve never played before

The Scroll of Taiwu is a Chinese indie game that debuted in early access on Steam in 2018 and has recently reached its 1.0 release after eight years of development. It offers an immersive experience rooted in Chinese mythology, contrasting with the fast-paced action of many contemporary games. The game features an expansive open world where players can hone martial arts skills, manage towns, and navigate conflicts. Despite its popularity among Chinese gamers, the lack of English localization has limited its reach, but the recent full release includes ongoing English translation efforts. The game has over 5 million words in its script, making complete translation challenging. The game's publishing advisor, Leye "Yager" Yu, has invested over 1,200 hours into it and believes in its potential to attract a broader audience. The developers are focused on improving localization and addressing bugs post-launch, while Yager plans to promote the game through collaborations and word-of-mouth.
15 indie games we saw during the Big Indie Pitch at NAGIS that you've got to check out
AppWizard
July 2, 2026

15 indie games we saw during the Big Indie Pitch at NAGIS that you’ve got to check out

The Big Indie Pitch event recently took place in Canada, showcasing indie developers and their PC and console games. Sponsored by Xsolla, the event featured a speed-dating format where developers presented their games to a panel of industry experts for five minutes. This format allowed for feedback and insights from professionals in publishing, scouting, and media. The event attracted developers at various project stages and served as a networking opportunity. The pitching sessions are a staple of Pocket Gamer Connects conferences and other gaming events worldwide. Interested participants can visit the Big Indie Pitch website for information on future events.
Blood Bowl's videogame rights have been acquired by Slitherine and at this point I'll take any change as a good sign
AppWizard
July 2, 2026

Blood Bowl’s videogame rights have been acquired by Slitherine and at this point I’ll take any change as a good sign

Slitherine has acquired the rights to the Blood Bowl series, previously held by Nacon, which faced insolvency and impacted various projects, including Blood Bowl 3. Developers Cyanide had planned to update Blood Bowl 3 to align with the latest tabletop rules, now back on track under Slitherine. Blood Bowl 3 was released with significant issues, including bugs and frustrating microtransactions, leading players to prefer Blood Bowl 2. Despite some improvements, menu navigation remains cumbersome. There is cautious optimism for the series' future under Slitherine's management.
Palworld 1.0 update has '27 pdf pages of changes and additions,' says publishing lead
AppWizard
June 27, 2026

Palworld 1.0 update has ’27 pdf pages of changes and additions,’ says publishing lead

Palworld is set to launch its version 1.0 on July 10, completing its development cycle. The game will introduce numerous new features, including a flight-enabling wing pack and various items and pals, with the World Tree playing a significant narrative role. It currently has over 35,000 concurrent players and has received multiple Steam awards. Players will not need to restart their progress for the new content, although starting fresh may enhance the experience.
New York Has a Gamer Mayor Now — and a $2.6 Billion Game Industry to Match
AppWizard
June 26, 2026

New York Has a Gamer Mayor Now — and a $2.6 Billion Game Industry to Match

In June, New York City celebrated the NYC Battle of the Boroughs Champions at a press conference on June 10, recognizing the winners of the 2026 Minecraft Education Battle of the Boroughs. Among the winners was Team Hyper Pigmentation, an all-girl squad that won back-to-back titles. The city's digital games sector supports approximately 7,600 jobs, contributing billion in wages and generating a total economic output of billion. The NYC Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment (MOME) has established the Game Development Industry Council, launched the NYC Summer of Games campaign, and funded grants for developers. New York City's digital gaming ecosystem has an annual economic impact of .6 billion, with around 380 digital gaming firms, 65 percent of which are small or indie studios. The share of open roles in the gaming industry increased from 15.1 percent to 29.2 percent between Q3 2024 and Q1 2026. The Summer of Games features events from May through September, including the NYC Video Game Festival and the Tribeca Games Gallery. Mayor Zohran Mamdani is recognized as the first "Gamer Mayor," engaging with gaming culture and platforms like Twitch. Jones-Harvey emphasizes the importance of addressing affordability issues to retain talent in the gaming industry. She advocates for recognizing video games as a vital part of New York City's cultural landscape, alongside music, film, and theater.
Rockstar Games Announces Pre-Orders for Grand Theft Auto VI
AppWizard
June 25, 2026

Rockstar Games Announces Pre-Orders for Grand Theft Auto VI

Rockstar Games has announced that pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI will begin at midnight local time on June 25, 2026, ahead of the official launch on November 19, 2026. The game will retail for .99 and will be available for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. An Ultimate Edition will be available for .99, featuring exclusive content. Pre-orders made before November 20, 2026, will include the Vintage Vice City Pack and digital pre-orders will come with a complimentary month of GTA+. Preloading for digital versions will start on November 12, 2026, and physical editions will also be released on that date, including a download code. The game will be available on the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, Rockstar Games Store, and various global retailers.
14 indie games we saw at Pocket Gamer Connects Barcelona that you've got to check out
AppWizard
June 24, 2026

14 indie games we saw at Pocket Gamer Connects Barcelona that you’ve got to check out

The Very Big Indie Pitch at Pocket Gamer Connects Barcelona 2026, sponsored by Xsolla, showcased indie game development through a speed-dating style competition where developers presented their games to industry experts for feedback. The event included both mobile and PC/console segments, featuring a variety of innovative projects. It served as a networking opportunity for developers and highlighted work-in-progress titles. The pitching sessions are a staple of PG Connects conferences, offering insights into regional development scenes and connecting indie developers with industry professionals.
Palworld studio says 'gamers don't want' AI in their games: 'It feels like everyone who is super gung-ho about it isn't from the industry'
AppWizard
June 19, 2026

Palworld studio says ‘gamers don’t want’ AI in their games: ‘It feels like everyone who is super gung-ho about it isn’t from the industry’

The gaming industry is experiencing an increase in AI-generated content, particularly on platforms like Steam. John Buckley from Pocketpair expressed concerns about the enthusiasm for AI, likening it to early cryptocurrency excitement, and highlighted the importance of human creativity in game development. He stated that Pocketpair will not publish games relying on generative AI. Additionally, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney raised concerns about undisclosed AI "placeholders" in major game releases, emphasizing the need for transparency in the industry.
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