storefront

Winsage
May 20, 2025
Microsoft is removing all onboarding fees for individual developers to publish applications on the Microsoft Store, effective next month. This change allows developers to publish without a credit card, making the platform more accessible. Company accounts will still incur a fee, but individual developers can utilize the built-in developer mode on Windows 10, 11, and Xbox consoles to create unsigned applications. The Microsoft Store will also see improvements in discovery, delivery, and user acquisition processes. While developer mode is popular for running emulation software, it remains limited by the deprecated UWP application platform, affecting Xbox console applications.
AppWizard
May 18, 2025
Anything Nose has announced that its game Mouthole will soon be removed from the Steam storefront. Launched on April 1, 2024, Mouthole is an adventure RPG with a 97 percent approval rating based on 87 reviews. The game will transition to a free model before the developer shuts down operations. The studio's upcoming project, Diacritic, has also been canceled, resulting in the removal of its listing and free demo from the platform. The timeline for Mouthole's removal has not been specified.
AppWizard
April 30, 2025
The Google Play Store has seen a decline in available apps, dropping from 3.4 million at the beginning of 2024 to approximately 1.8 million by April, a 47% reduction compared to the end of 2023. In contrast, Apple’s App Store increased its app count from 1.6 million to 1.64 million during the same period. Google has implemented stricter quality control measures, which contributed to the reduction in app numbers, alongside enhanced human review processes and new verification requirements for developers. Despite the overall decrease, there was a 7.1% increase in the release of new apps in April 2025 compared to April 2024.
AppWizard
April 26, 2025
The gaming community is experiencing excitement during Golden Week with sales and discounts across various platforms. Steam has launched its Golden Week sales, featuring discounts on titles from Capcom and Sega, including a debut discount on Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. Valve's storefront is highlighting box-pushing games such as Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure and Lab Rat. Although Xbox is not officially part of Golden Week, Xbox Game Studios is offering a sale with a first-time price reduction on Avowed. Blizzard is hosting its annual Spring Sale with discounts on Avowed, the Diablo 4 Expansion Bundle, and World of Warcraft: The War Within, which includes a 30-day subscription. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is also gaining attention with launch week discounts from various retailers. Humble Bundle is offering a subscription service for .99 per month, providing access to several games including Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered and Dredge, along with additional savings for members. Various tiers of deals are available for games like Doom 64, Doom 3, and Wolfenstein titles.
AppWizard
April 10, 2025
Dr. Marie-Claire Isaaman, CEO of Women in Games, has urged Valve to take action against a game on Steam that has been criticized for its disturbing themes, including incest and sexual violence. The game reportedly encourages players to "claim" their mother after an affair and contains graphic depictions of sexual activities, along with mentions of incest, blackmail, and non-consensual sex. Isaaman expressed that the game promotes themes of rape and misogynistic violence, contributing to the dehumanization of women and girls. She called for the game's removal and stronger content moderation policies from Valve. UK tech secretary Peter Kyle also stated that he expects Valve to remove the controversial title in accordance with legal requirements.
AppWizard
April 9, 2025
A game titled No Mercy, released by Zerat Games in March on Steam, has faced backlash for its disturbing content, which includes themes of sexual violence and misogyny. Although designated for users aged 18 and older, minors can easily bypass this restriction. The game was not submitted for review to any age rating frameworks, and its graphic content includes elements such as incest and non-consensual sexual encounters, with promotional materials featuring pornographic imagery. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has condemned the game, urging tech companies to remove harmful content promptly. The situation has sparked calls for stricter regulations and oversight on platforms like Steam.
Winsage
April 8, 2025
Microsoft is celebrating its 50th anniversary by offering a free 50th anniversary theme for Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X players, which was made available on April 4, 2025. The theme features iconic gaming characters like Master Chief, Marcus Fenix, and Vault Boy. It is integrated into all Xbox owners' profiles and can be activated through the settings menu. Additionally, Microsoft is providing free Gamerpics, including Clippy, and has updated Microsoft Solitaire with the anniversary theme in its card designs.
Search