strategic planning Archives

AppWizard

March 25, 2025

Report: Publishers preparing to bump games to miss GTA 6

Game publishers are adjusting their release schedules in anticipation of Grand Theft Auto 6, which is expected to launch in 2025, likely in the autumn. Executives express concerns that Rockstar's titles dominate consumer attention and spending, making it challenging for new games to succeed. There is a preference among publishers to avoid releasing games close to GTA 6, particularly around late October or early November, to prevent competing directly with it.

AppWizard

March 12, 2025

Cthulhu Keeper Revitalizes Classic PC Game Genres Through A Lovecraftian Lens

Certain hardcore PC game genres have seen a resurgence, with titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 gaining popularity, while the stealth-tactics genre and dungeon management games have struggled. Kuuasema's Cthulhu Keeper is a real-time tactics game that combines cult base management with stealth missions, featuring gameplay mechanics that include commanding cultists and Lovecraftian monsters. The game includes story missions and mini-roguelite expeditions, requiring strategic planning and quick thinking. Players control Lilith West, who can harvest enemy corpses for strategic advantages. Cthulhu Keeper aims to appeal to both hardcore gamers and newcomers, with a public playtest scheduled for March 17.

Winsage

March 3, 2025

Temporary PC production surge amid tariff concerns; Windows on Arm loses momentum

PC manufacturers are exercising caution due to a production ramp-up that began at the end of 2024, which is speculated to be influenced by Trump-era tariffs rather than a genuine increase in consumer demand. They are particularly wary of the Windows on Arm platform due to complex market dynamics, challenges in technological adaptation, and the need for strategic planning to remain agile in a changing landscape.

AppWizard

February 15, 2025

Ten PC games I could have played, in full, during the time I spent failing to connect to Elden Ring: Nightreign on PS5

On Valentine’s Day, an attempt to engage with the network test for Elden Ring: Nightreign resulted in a three-hour experience with server issues on PS5. The test may have provided data for FromSoftware ahead of the game's May release. Alternative games suggested for exploration during the wait include: - Jazzpunk: A comedic game resembling a 60s spy thriller. - Mouthwashing: A compact horror game set in a stranded spaceship. - Thirty Flights of Loving: A brief narrative about a heist gone wrong. - Bernband: A low-resolution walking simulator in an alien city. - The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe: A follow-up mini-adventure with witty commentary. - Exo One: A visually stunning game focused on momentum-based traversal. - Stray: A feline-themed game with fluid platforming and intricate design. - Scanner Sombre: A techno-horror experience using a LiDAR scanner in darkness. - Minit: An adventure game where players solve puzzles within a minute-long lifespan. - Portal: An iconic puzzle-platformer known for its innovative mechanics.

AppWizard

February 11, 2025

Stellar Blade’s developer expects the PC version to sell better than the PS5 one

Shift Up expressed optimism about the upcoming PC release of Stellar Blade, expecting it to surpass the PlayStation 5 sales, which have exceeded 1 million copies globally. The studio attributes this expectation to the growing popularity of gaming in Asia and a larger base of PC gamers. They noted that in the AAA game market, PC devices have a higher market share than consoles. Shift Up is observing trends in the Asian gaming industry, particularly in the single-player action game segment, and is preparing for a strategic release for sustained success in the PC market. To enhance the PC version's performance, they are implementing optimization, improving user convenience, adding supplementary content, and tailoring marketing strategies for PC gamers. They are also ensuring compatibility with ultra-mobile PC environments like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally. Shift Up's approach includes continuous updates to build a strong global community around the Stellar Blade IP.

AppWizard

February 11, 2025

Stellar Blade PC Is Expected To Outsell The PS5 Version Of The Game

Shift Up, the developer of Stellar Blade, expects the upcoming PC version of the game to surpass the sales of its PS5 version. The company notes that PC devices have a higher market share than consoles in the AAA game market, which supports their expectations. They are focusing on enhancing user convenience, adding supplementary content, and implementing tailored marketing strategies for the PC release. Additionally, they are optimizing the game for mobile PC settings like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally. Stellar Blade was originally launched for PS5 in April 2024 and won seven awards at the Korean Game Awards in November. In recognition of this success, Shift Up rewarded its employees with a PS5 Pro and a cash bonus of ,000.

Winsage

February 5, 2025

Remember it’ll cost ya to keep the lights on for Windows 10

Microsoft has updated its support documentation for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10, detailing the pricing structure for commercial customers starting in 2024. The costs are set at per device for the first year, doubling in the second year, and reaching four times the initial cost in the third year. Organizations that join in Year Two must still pay for Year One, as the ESUs are cumulative. Free support for most versions of Windows 10 will end in November 2025. Organizations with a Windows 10 endpoint connected to a Windows 365 Cloud PC may qualify for free ESUs, and Windows 10 virtual machines in Windows 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop can access ESUs for up to three years with an active Windows 365 subscription license.

AppWizard

December 16, 2024

Minecraft and Roblox: The digital playground of today’s gen

Platforms like Minecraft and Roblox enable users to express creativity and engage socially. Minecraft, launched in 2011, allows players to explore a cube-based world and create various structures. Roblox, introduced in 2006, focuses on user-generated content, enabling players to create and share games. Both platforms foster critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. They also teach coding and spatial concepts, enhancing computational thinking and foundational math skills. Additionally, they serve as creative outlets, allowing users to design diverse projects. Approximately 40% of children using these platforms express interest in pursuing STEM or creative fields.

AppWizard

December 4, 2024

Atlyss is a considerately horny RPG where you can play the thickest furry this side of the internet, but I’m in it for the fun action and oldschool MMO nostalgia, I swear

Kiseff has developed an early access title called Atlyss, a pseudo-MMO featuring customizable avatars and anthropomorphic characters. The game includes suggestive designs but avoids explicit content, allowing players to tone down risqué features. Atlyss offers straightforward yet engaging combat mechanics, with a variety of whimsical enemies and three distinct classes—Mystic, Fighter, and Bandit. Players can enchant weapons and respec character attributes, enhancing gameplay depth. The game is available on Steam for £8.50.

AppWizard

December 2, 2024

5 biggest new games launching in December 2024 for PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, VR and PC

December 2024 will feature several high-profile game releases across various platforms. 1. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: Developed by MachineGames and published by Bethesda Softworks, this action-adventure game is set in 1937 and follows Indiana Jones on a quest to uncover the mysteries of the "Great Circle." It includes first-person exploration, puzzles, and combat in locations like Egypt and the Himalayas. 2. Marvel Rivals: A team-based PvP third-person shooter developed by NetEase Games, featuring 6v6 matches with characters from the Marvel Universe. The game focuses on hero synergies and a storyline involving Doctor Doom and his future counterpart, set in destructible environments like Asgard and Tokyo 2099. 3. Path of Exile 2: Launching on December 6, this sequel to the action RPG is set two decades after the original and features enhanced character customization and a focus on endgame content. Players will face the Count of Ogham and the Seed of Corruption. 4. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 and 2 Remastered: Releasing on December 10, this remaster enhances graphics and gameplay of the classic series, following Raziel's quest for revenge against Kain, with improved visuals and modernized controls. 5. Alien: Rogue Incursion: Set to launch on December 19, this single-player action-horror VR game places players in the role of Zula Hendricks, investigating a distress signal on the planet Purdan while battling Xenomorphs in a research facility.