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Guild Wars 3 is 'significantly more' of an MMO than the first game, but that doesn't mean it's like GW2: 'All three of our games can coexist as different experiences'
AppWizard
June 19, 2026

Guild Wars 3 is ‘significantly more’ of an MMO than the first game, but that doesn’t mean it’s like GW2: ‘All three of our games can coexist as different experiences’

Guild Wars 2 is a significant title in the MMO genre, following the original Guild Wars, which is more accurately described as a mission-based action role-playing game (ARPG) with shared town hubs. ArenaNet's studio head, Colin Johanson, confirmed that the upcoming Guild Wars 3 will be an MMO, with some nuances. He categorized the original Guild Wars as a "cooperative online RPG" and noted that Guild Wars 2 was designed as a true MMO. Johanson's comments reflect on the challenges and emotional experiences associated with MMOs.
Guild Wars 3 won't have a 'battle pass fee buried in it', says studio head: 'We're not gonna hold their time hostage'
AppWizard
June 9, 2026

Guild Wars 3 won’t have a ‘battle pass fee buried in it’, says studio head: ‘We’re not gonna hold their time hostage’

Massively Multiplayer Online games (MMOs) have integrated live service features like seasonal content and battle passes, with varying outcomes. World of Warcraft has successfully implemented a free battle pass-like system through its Trading Post, enhancing player engagement. In contrast, Guild Wars 2's studio head Colin Johanson has stated that Guild Wars 3 will avoid a battle pass model, aiming for a more balanced player engagement. He noted that contemporary battle passes resemble subscription services and expressed concerns about overwhelming players, while also recognizing the issues with minimal rewards in games. The contrasting approaches of these titles illustrate the challenge developers face in balancing monetization and player satisfaction.
Guild Wars 3, Modern Evolution of the MMORPG, Announced at Summer Game Fest for PC and PlayStation 5
AppWizard
June 6, 2026

Guild Wars 3, Modern Evolution of the MMORPG, Announced at Summer Game Fest for PC and PlayStation 5

The official debut trailer for Guild Wars 3 has been released, featuring the first in-engine gameplay footage. The game is set over a thousand years before the original and takes place in the Tyrian region of Orr, inhabited by Vael spirits. Players will assume the role of a Vaelwarden, part of a guild focused on protecting the spirits and land. The combat system emphasizes strategic positioning and movement. Further details regarding pricing, beta tests, and release dates will be revealed in late 2026 and into 2027. Guild Wars 3 will be available from GuildWars3.com, and players can wishlist it on Steam and the PlayStation Store. The Guild Wars franchise, launched in 2005, has welcomed over 29 million players and is known for its fast-paced action combat and friendly community. ArenaNet, founded in 2000, is the developer of the Guild Wars series and operates as a subsidiary of NCSOFT.
Peak's success helped Aggro Crab commit to co-op, says studio head: 'We thought we were a character action studio'
AppWizard
May 25, 2026

Peak’s success helped Aggro Crab commit to co-op, says studio head: ‘We thought we were a character action studio’

The collaboration between Peak, Aggro Crab, and Landfall Games originated from a four-week game jam. Aggro Crab's studio head, Nick Kaman, discussed this experience at the Game Developers Conference, highlighting a shift towards smaller projects and a stronger identity in co-op gaming. They collaborated with a studio known for the game Content Warning, which is recognized in the friendslop genre. After a taxing three-year development on a previous project, the team found renewed energy in creating Peak. Kaman announced the upcoming release of Crashout Crew, inspired by Overcooked, featuring unique elements like proximity voice chat and mouth animations that respond to player speech. He acknowledged that this new direction might not appeal to everyone but expressed excitement about the studio's evolution.
2K Games confirms layoffs at Project Ethos shooter studio and hints at new design direction: 'It's become clear that changes need to be made'
AppWizard
May 8, 2026

2K Games confirms layoffs at Project Ethos shooter studio and hints at new design direction: ‘It’s become clear that changes need to be made’

31st Union, a studio under 2K Games, has confirmed layoffs affecting an undisclosed number of employees as it continues development on Project Ethos, a free-to-play hero shooter unveiled in 2024. Studio head Ben Brinkman indicated that changes were necessary to achieve the studio's goals. Project Ethos was initially described as a "roguelike hero shooter," but it allows players to choose randomized buffs during matches and features gameplay similar to Fortnite. The studio's previous head, Michael Condrey, was dismissed shortly after the game's announcement, and updates on Project Ethos have been limited since then. The layoffs at 31st Union follow similar cuts at 2K Games' Cloud Chamber in 2025. Take-Two Interactive's CEO has expressed disappointment over the lengthy development timelines for new titles, including the BioShock installment. Despite these challenges, Brinkman remains optimistic about the future of Project Ethos and the team's direction.
S&box makes nearly $1 million on launch day, and yes there are problems but that's okay: 'We love it when things break because then we get to fix them'
AppWizard
April 29, 2026

S&box makes nearly $1 million on launch day, and yes there are problems but that’s okay: ‘We love it when things break because then we get to fix them’

The gaming community has mixed reactions to the release of S&box, the successor to Garry's Mod, with some players dissatisfied and others hopeful for improvement. Facepunch Studios, the developer, reported technical challenges during the launch, including backend issues and a self-inflicted DDoS. Despite these hurdles, they remain optimistic about S&box's future and the role of AI in programming education. The game will not include an AI Assistant button, but Facepunch aims to enhance the discovery algorithm for quality content. They have chosen a forward rendering technique for better visual performance. Financially, S&box generated nearly million on its first day, leading Facepunch to double its Play Fund to million. A patch for S&box has been released to improve the game based on player feedback.
After planning 2 more paid acts, narrative scifi power-washer Ambrosia Sky is instead finishing its story in one free update to 'maximize' its focus on what players loved: 'People got in on that sapphic yearning right away'
AppWizard
March 5, 2026

After planning 2 more paid acts, narrative scifi power-washer Ambrosia Sky is instead finishing its story in one free update to ‘maximize’ its focus on what players loved: ‘People got in on that sapphic yearning right away’

Ambrosia Sky: Act One was released in November 2025, featuring Dalia, a researcher in a decaying space station. Developer Soft Rains initially planned a trilogy but will now conclude Dalia's story in a free update, Ambrosia Sky: Act Two, set for release later this year. Act Two will resolve the mysteries from Act One and introduce new mission locations, exo-fungus to harvest, and an updated progression system. The decision to streamline the narrative was influenced by player feedback. Act One is available on Steam, and owners will receive Act Two for free. After Act Two's release, the game's price will increase for new players. A 15% discount on Act One is available until March 13.
The Mass Effect spiritual successor I can't wait to play just lost its studio head, but he doesn't want you to worry
AppWizard
January 3, 2026

The Mass Effect spiritual successor I can’t wait to play just lost its studio head, but he doesn’t want you to worry

James Ohlen, the former studio head of Archetype Entertainment, announced his departure from the company in December, following the release of the latest trailer for the sci-fi adventure game Exodus. He stated that his decision to step down was made last summer, was amicable, and had the full support of Hasbro. Ohlen emphasized that Exodus is "in a good place" and expressed confidence in the team's ability to continue the project under the leadership of trusted colleagues. He will remain with Wizards of the Coast as a creative consultant, focusing on tabletop RPGs and his own venture, Arcanum Worlds. The game Exodus features a time dilation mechanic where players experience long journeys at near-light speed, with a planned release date set for early 2027.
Despite Krafton ownership, Last Epoch dev won't charge for its first expansion and isn't pivoting to AI: 'To be clear, our development approach is not changing'
AppWizard
November 26, 2025

Despite Krafton ownership, Last Epoch dev won’t charge for its first expansion and isn’t pivoting to AI: ‘To be clear, our development approach is not changing’

Eleventh Hour Games (EHG) has confirmed that the upcoming Orobyss expansion for Last Epoch will be free for all existing players who own the base game, and new players purchasing the game post-launch will also receive the expansion at no additional cost. This decision honors a pledge made during the game's Kickstarter campaign in 2018. EHG's leadership has stated that their development approach will not change despite Krafton's shift towards an "AI-first company." EHG is preparing for two upcoming seasons with substantial updates to the base game, although the intervals between these seasons may be longer due to recruitment efforts and preparations for the game's debut on PlayStation 5.
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