sales Archives

AppWizard

May 26, 2026

A Game That Hasn’t Even Launched Has Raised $1 Billion

On May 24, 2026, 'Star Citizen' surpassed ₩1.4 trillion (approximately billion) in cumulative crowdfunding, achieved entirely through fan support without publisher involvement. The game, developed by Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) since its Kickstarter launch in 2012, is still not officially released. It has raised ₩210 billion in 2025 alone, marking an all-time high for annual fundraising. 'Star Citizen' is recognized as the most expensive game ever made, with its crowdfunding amount being 3.8 times the production cost of 'GTA V' (₩370 billion). The game's revenue model includes the sale of in-game spacecraft, with prices ranging from tens of thousands to millions of won. Despite being in development for 14 years, the game continues to engage a growing community, with hundreds of thousands of players participating in its ongoing alpha state. The timeline for completion remains uncertain, with the single-player campaign 'Squadron 42' tentatively set for 2026 and the main multiplayer project suggested to be completed around 2028. Opinions on 'Star Citizen' are divided, with some viewing it as a scam due to its lengthy development and unfulfilled promises, while others see it as a cultural movement and a significant community-driven project.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Ultra-hard survival sandbox Kenshi passes 3 million copies sold, teases fans with ‘Kenshi 2 When?’ website

Kenshi has sold three million copies, achieving approximately half of its all-time record on Steam. The game is known for its brutal realism and complexity, with a mod featuring crucifixion receiving a five-star rating. A sequel, Kenshi 2, is anticipated, and the original game is available on Steam for a limited-time price of [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: Kenshi, a game that epitomizes the concept of starting from "rock bottom," immerses players in a world where survival is a relentless challenge. Upon entering this unforgiving landscape, players find themselves stranded in a vast desert, surrounded by adversaries, with all stats languishing at a mere 1. Adding to the struggle, your character has just lost a left arm and is grappling with malnutrition in a territory where starvation is considered a crime. Remarkable Sales Milestone Despite its harsh premise, Kenshi has resonated with gamers, achieving impressive sales of three million copies, as announced in a recent blog post by developer Lo-Fi Games. The post expressed gratitude to the community, stating, "To everyone who's ever pointed a friend toward Kenshi, posted a screenshot, or clocked more hours than they’d care to admit, thank you." This sales figure represents approximately half of the game's all-time record on Steam, a milestone it reached just last year. The allure of Kenshi seems to lie in its brutal realism and complexity. Players are drawn to the game’s unique challenges, with even a mod that introduces crucifixion receiving a five-star rating on the game’s workshop page. This appetite for intensity suggests that gamers are eager for experiences that push the boundaries of conventional gameplay. Looking Ahead to Kenshi 2 As the anticipation for a sequel grows, fans are left wondering when a reveal might occur. Kenshi's journey began with a lengthy five-year stint in early access before its official release in 2018. Given the game's depth and the rarity of such intricate fantasy sandboxes, it is likely that a sequel will be on the horizon. For those curious about the original experience, it is currently available on Steam for a limited-time price of .39 until June 1. For enthusiasts eager to stay informed about developments related to Kenshi 2, a newsletter sign-up is available at kenshi2when.com, allowing fans to opt out of all communications not specifically related to the upcoming title." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].39 until June 1. Fans can sign up for a newsletter at kenshi2when.com for updates related to Kenshi 2.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Steam Week in Review: Steam is flooded with liminal spaces games and I approve, but I think I’ve found the best to start with

Dreamcore explores "liminal spaces," featuring environments like indoor pools, low-poly suburbia, and children's play areas, with a notable "liminal hotel" inspired by the Backrooms meme. Liminal spaces evoke feelings of transition and emptiness and have gained popularity on platforms like Steam. Since its release in January 2025, Dreamcore has introduced a new map called Dead Mall, reminiscent of 1990s super malls. Other titles in the genre include Pools, Tainted Pools, and Liminal Waters, while games like Dream Logic offer a PS1-era twist. Dreamcore is noted for its diverse themes and well-optimized performance, allowing players to explore unsettling landscapes. Steam's sales chart from May 12 - 19 lists the top games by revenue, with Subnautica 2 leading, followed by Forza Horizon 6, Counter-Strike 2, and PUBG: Battlegrounds. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Night is expected to rise in the charts, and 007 First Light is gaining traction due to pre-orders. Librarian: Tidy Up The Arcane Library ranks eighth despite its April release. A humorous user review for Bubsy 4D received attention for its candidness.

AppWizard

May 24, 2026

Forza Horizon 6 speeds into Steam’s top 5 most played games with over 300k concurrent players

Forza Horizon 6 has over 300,000 concurrent players on Steam, making it one of the top five most played games, surpassing titles like Apex Legends. It trails only behind Dota 2, PUBG, and Counter-Strike 2. The game set records on PC before its official release and has introduced new elements such as giant mechs and kei trucks. Playground Games plans to address initial issues like AI difficulty and crash bugs. The game features a lineup of 618 vehicles. Microsoft is facing controversy related to its contracts with Israel, leading to employee protests.

AppWizard

May 24, 2026

Peak boss doesn’t mind us calling it friendslop: ‘Why not make a game where the point is to hang out with your friends?’

In 2025, a new gaming genre called friendslop emerged, characterized by bite-sized, affordable games that emphasize cooperative play and proximity voice chat. Notable titles include Peak, which exemplifies the genre despite mixed perceptions of its label. Nick Kaman, head of Aggro Crab studio, discussed the term friendslop at the Game Developers Conference, encouraging players and developers to embrace it despite its derogatory connotation. He described friendslop games as frameworks for social interaction, designed to enhance the experience of hanging out with friends. Kaman noted that the success of Peak is linked to its social dynamics and the rekindling of friendships through gaming. He identified a cultural shift towards this genre during the COVID-19 pandemic, with games like Among Us paving the way for friendslop. Kaman believes there is still unexplored design space in friendslop and highlighted the recent success of Gamble With Your Friends as evidence of the genre's ongoing appeal.

AppWizard

May 24, 2026

Space Marine 2 gets a steep discount, a free trial and an update that adds a ‘major revamp’ of Siege Mode, as its multiplayer continues to outpace games like Marathon

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 reached a daily peak of over 21,000 concurrent players, surpassing titles like Dune Awakening and Marathon. The game has received numerous updates since its release, including new missions, monsters, and character classes. The latest update, Patch 13.0, introduces a new mission called Purgation, a battle simulator, mid-session perk loadout swapping, and expanded customization options. The siege mode has been revamped to Siege 2.0, featuring a new blessings and atonements system, recalibrated difficulty, and new bosses. A new free trial for the game has been launched, offering two campaign missions, three operations, and all PvP modes, with a promotional price of £16.50 available until June 3.

AppWizard

May 24, 2026

PlayStation’s Single-Player PC Push Reportedly Comes to an End

PlayStation has announced that its narrative-driven single-player titles will remain exclusive to the PlayStation platform, ending a six-year trend of releasing these games on PC. This update was shared by Hermen Hulst, CEO of PlayStation Studios, during a town hall meeting on May 18, 2026. The decision reflects a broader industry trend towards valuing exclusive content to strengthen brand identity and maintain a competitive edge.

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

007: First Light drops last-minute Denuvo DRM bombshell, leaving pre-order customers and fans furious — Bond title risks FPS drops and strict online check-ins, Pirates eagerly await repack as day-one cracks become the norm

IO Interactive's game, 007: First Light, will include "Denuvo Anti-Tamper" DRM to protect against piracy on PC, leading to customer frustration among pre-order users. The Steam forums show mixed reactions, with some players disappointed and others appreciative of the DRM. Denuvo can impact frame rates and requires significant resources for integration, potentially affecting paying customers' experiences. It has been reported that Denuvo was cracked shortly after the launch of Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, raising concerns about its effectiveness. Denuvo operates in user space, not at the kernel level, and players may be locked out if their internet connection fails for over 48 hours. Developers face a paradox, as implementing DRM aims to maximize sales but may disadvantage legitimate customers. Alternative strategies exist, as seen with Cyberpunk 2077, which launched without DRM and became successful. A 2017 European Commission report suggested that piracy might increase overall sales, as some users who initially pirate games later become paying customers.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

Fallout lead Tim Cain argues games industry crisis hasn’t reached the level of the 1983 crash: ‘I don’t think there’s ever been a worse time in the games industry’

Tim Cain, a veteran RPG developer, discussed the challenges in the current video game industry, noting that approximately 10% of game developers are affected by layoffs and studio closures. He emphasized that while the situation is serious, it does not compare to the catastrophic crash of 1983, during which many developers were abruptly unemployed and the U.S. video game market collapsed. Cain reflected on the lasting impact of that crash, stating it resulted in the loss of an entire generation of game developers and took nearly a decade for the PC market to recover. He identified contemporary issues such as an oversaturation of games, a devaluation of games due to subscription services, and an uneven crisis that largely bypasses consumers. In contrast, industry veterans John and Brenda Romero expressed a more pessimistic view, feeling that the current crisis seems more severe than the earlier collapse.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

Flashback: The 2016 Chrome and Android‑apps story that predicted today’s Googlebooks moment

Google announced that later this year, users will be able to run full Android applications on their Chromebooks through the integration of the Google Play Store, providing access to over a million Android apps. This development marks a significant advantage for Chrome OS, which previously lacked native applications. Despite the advancements, Google faces challenges in changing consumer perceptions, as Chromebooks do not support essential software like Photoshop or full versions of Microsoft Office. The competition between Google and Microsoft intensifies, with Google gaining momentum amid declining Windows PC sales, particularly in the educational sector.