studio Archives

AppWizard

July 31, 2025

Revolutionizing Android Casino Apps with Hybrid Monetization

In 2025, Android casino apps are adopting a hybrid monetization model that combines free play, in-app purchases, advertising, and subscription services, moving away from traditional revenue streams like paid downloads. This model allows for free downloads and offers players various options, such as watching ads for rewards or subscribing for premium features. Developers are utilizing online casino content aggregators to access a wide range of games without the need for in-house development, which streamlines licensing and updates. The success of this model relies on selecting the right content aggregator, which can vary in terms of game library size, certification coverage, API integration, analytics capabilities, and revenue share structures. Continuous analysis of player behavior is essential to optimize monetization strategies, allowing developers to adjust ad frequency, subscription pricing, and game offerings based on user feedback.

AppWizard

July 31, 2025

Dig Donkey Kong Bananza Check out this new hole game next

In 2025, the concept of "hole" is highlighted as significant in gaming, particularly through the release of Mashina, a game developed by Talha and Jack Co. Mashina features an egg-shaped robot that digs holes to gather minerals, drawing gameplay comparisons to Steamworld Dig. Players navigate a 2D mine, managing resources in a puzzle-like inventory while completing quests for upgrades. The game employs a lo-fi aesthetic and stop-motion animation, creating a unique experience despite some gameplay challenges, such as a clumsy building system and repetitive elements in the later stages. The animation style adds a human touch, and the game evokes a sense of tranquility through its atmosphere and sound design.

AppWizard

July 30, 2025

Battlefield 6 probably isn’t going to cost $80: ‘We’re not looking to make any changes on pricing at this stage,’ CEO says

In 2017, the standard price for a big-budget game release was around , with discussions in the industry about potentially lowering prices to or . Helldivers 2 launched at a more accessible price, while Dune 2 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 were priced at . Despite arguments for lower prices, major game release prices have generally increased over the years. In 2022, Call of Duty was priced at on Steam, and Nintendo priced Mario Kart World for the Switch 2 at . Microsoft initially priced The Outer Worlds 2 at before reducing it to due to community backlash. Take-Two's Gearbox studio set Borderlands 4 at , avoiding the higher price trend.

AppWizard

July 30, 2025

Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution Launches On PC Via Steam August 26, 2025

Idea Factory International will release the PC version of Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution on Steam on August 26, 2025. The game features character designs by Tsunako and Katsuyuki Hirano and follows Older Neptune as she revitalizes a gaming company. Players will engage in real-time game creation, making strategic decisions and utilizing items found in dungeons to enhance development. The combat system has been overhauled to a more action-oriented style with chain attacks and transformative specials. The game is also available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.

AppWizard

July 30, 2025

Co-Op Hack-and-Slash Game GODBREAKERS Announced for PS5 and PC

Thunderful Games and its subsidiary To The Sky are developing a four-player cooperative hack-and-slash action game titled GODBREAKERS, set to launch in 2025 on PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. The game features fast-paced combat, allowing players to absorb enemy powers and utilize them against foes. It includes multi-phase boss fights, customizable builds with unique Archetypes, and six distinct biomes filled with challenges. Players can engage in one to four-player online cooperative play, with gameplay designed for strategic depth and dynamic encounters. The narrative explores a world where AI has led to humanity's demise, and players must reignite the final spark of mankind. A reveal trailer showcasing the gameplay has been released.

AppWizard

July 29, 2025

Grounded 2 PC system requirements show the Xbox Game Pass title is 5 times bigger than the original — but you can run it on decade-old specs

Microsoft's gaming division, Xbox, is set to release Grounded 2, a sequel developed by Obsidian Entertainment, following the success of the original game launched in 2020. Grounded 2 was unveiled during the Xbox Games Showcase in June and features gameplay where players navigate a park environment after being shrunk to the size of an ant. The game has minimum and recommended PC system requirements: Minimum Requirements: - OS: Windows 10/11 with updates - Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 / Intel i5-8400 - Memory: 16 GB RAM - Graphics: AMD RX 5700 / Nvidia GTX 1070 / Intel Arc A580 - DirectX: Version 12 - Storage: 40 GB available space Recommended Requirements: - OS: Windows 10/11 with updates - Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X / Intel i7-10700K - Memory: 16 GB RAM - Graphics: AMD RX 6800 XT / Nvidia RTX 3080 - DirectX: Version 12 - Storage: 40 GB available space Grounded 2's storage requirement is 40 GB, an increase from the original game's 8 GB, reflecting expanded content. The game will be available through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, or for purchase at .99, with a Founder's Edition priced at .99 and a Founder's Pack upgrade available for .99.

AppWizard

July 29, 2025

‘Maybe I’ve directed my last game,’ Dead Space creator Glen Schofield says after being unable to secure funding for his new project: ‘With the industry on pause, AAA feels like it’s a long ways away’

Glen Schofield, a veteran in the video game industry, has announced his decision to step away from game direction after struggling to secure funding for a new horror project he had been developing for eight months. Despite assembling a talented team and setting a budget, he faced challenges due to the industry's shift towards higher share prices and artificial intelligence solutions. Schofield's previous title, The Callisto Protocol, did not meet expectations, leading to financial repercussions for its publisher and layoffs at his studio. He expressed a desire to return to his artistic roots while reflecting on the stagnant state of the industry. His daughter, Nicole, who contributed the original idea for the halted project, was also part of the team.

AppWizard

July 27, 2025

Stormgate is leaving early access before it’s technically finished: ‘We believe that our campaign and 1v1 are ready for a broader audience’

Frost Giant Studios announced that its first single-player campaign for the RTS game Stormgate will launch in August, coinciding with the game's exit from Steam early access. The studio clarified that the previous version number "0.6" was misleading and will now be referred to as the Necrolyte release, with future updates adopting descriptive names instead of numerical versioning. The campaign, titled Ashes of Earth, will include 12 missions and a complete narrative arc, with plans for additional free missions in the future. The studio aims to engage a wider audience with both the campaign and the 1v1 multiplayer mode, emphasizing the need to attract new players for financial viability. Additionally, features like co-op missions and an in-game editor called Sigma Labs will be introduced for ongoing development.

AppWizard

July 27, 2025

Crytek says the most important difference between Far Cry and Crysis had nothing to do with technology: ‘In Crysis, we mimicked nature as closely as possible’

Crysis continues to impress with its visual fidelity years after its release, showcasing a significant leap in graphical prowess compared to its predecessor, Far Cry. The development team traveled to Haiti to gather reference data for the game's environment design, emphasizing the importance of firsthand experience in creating an authentic representation of the tropical setting. This innovative approach allowed them to mimic natural behaviors, such as sunlight interaction and water refraction, contributing to the game's lasting realism. The techniques used in Crysis align with contemporary practices in game development, including physically-based rendering. However, the future of the franchise is uncertain, as Crysis 4 has been placed "on hold" following a 15% workforce reduction at Crytek.

AppWizard

July 27, 2025

Steam’s mechanical new puzzle game has taken over my brain

The author played the game "Kaizen: A Factory Story" during a 45-minute subway ride, which involves optimizing product assembly lines set in 1980s Japan. The gameplay includes solving puzzles to create items like binoculars and camcorders by connecting various components using gadgets and automating their functions. The author faced challenges in assembling a camcorder, particularly in integrating a tape deck, and found inspiration for a solution while walking to a bar. The game emphasizes the decline of handcrafted goods in mass production and celebrates the creativity of engineers behind the scenes.