studio Archives

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

1666: Amsterdam has the makings of something brilliant but I came away from its preview with a bad feeling as it’s early access release creeps too close for comfort

1666: Amsterdam is a game developed by Patrice Désilets at his indie studio, Panache Digital Games, after a legal battle with Ubisoft for the rights. The studio produces 15 to 20 builds a day, focusing on progression over perfection. The game features a vast map, a compelling narrative, and innovative exploration mechanics, with an early access launch scheduled for August 25. The protagonist, Noa, embarks on a quest with her feline companion, who contains the soul of a man named Aaron from the 1990s, to uncover demonic Originals and reclaim their powers while facing witch hunters.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

Big Walk has sold 1 million copies, making it a bigger hit than Untitled Goose Game

Big Walk sold 1 million copies within one week of its launch. It is a monthly "free" game for PlayStation Plus subscribers and is also available on the Nintendo Switch. The game is designed for cooperative play and offers a tranquil gaming experience. A 25% launch discount is available on Steam.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

Halloween: The Game is banned in Australia because incentivized drug use is bad but incentivized ultra-violence isn’t

The Australian Classification Board has denied a rating for Halloween: The Game, developed by Illfonic, preventing its sale in Australia. The game features a mechanic involving marijuana use that allows players to detect the killer, Michael Myers, which likely contributed to the classification issues. Despite receiving an automated R18+ rating in July, the Board's regulations state that games with illicit drug use tied to incentives cannot be classified under R18+ and must be Refused Classification. Consequently, listings for the game have been removed from major Australian retailers, and its page is no longer available on the PlayStation Store. Steam has not yet acted on the ban, but it is expected to do so.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

There was originally supposed to be a ‘much bigger’ reveal of Light No Fire: here’s why Sean Murray changed his mind

Hello Games has been working on a project titled Light No Fire for nearly three years, following the success of No Man's Sky. Studio founder Sean Murray indicated that there was an intention to showcase more content at the Summer Game Fest 2024, but the positive reception of the initial teaser, which received 20 million views and made it the number two game on the Steam wishlist, led to a change in plans. Murray emphasized a cautious approach to sharing information, stating that they prefer to let the game speak for itself and avoid unnecessary press communication. He mentioned having played Light No Fire recently and noted that the current state of the game exceeds typical expectations for what a studio would reveal at this stage.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

Project Xodus Brings Native Xbox PC and Game Pass Games to Linux

Project Xodus is an open-source initiative focused on reverse-engineering Xbox PC and Game Pass titles to enable their use on Linux and Mac systems. The project has made significant progress in Microsoft authentication and package decryption, allowing Linux users to download and process Xbox subscription games locally. The team has successfully reverse-engineered Microsoft’s identity services and license verification systems, unlocking encrypted MSIXVC game files and enabling the verification of game licenses and decryption of installation packages on non-Windows operating systems. Xodus serves as a translation bridge for Microsoft’s proprietary ecosystem services, providing custom proxy libraries for games to function as if they are running in a native Windows environment. It specifically targets modern games built on Microsoft’s GDK framework, excluding older titles using the Universal Windows Platform and those dependent on kernel-level anti-cheat mechanisms. The project aims to improve access to Xbox Game Pass on devices like the Steam Deck by facilitating direct local hardware execution, reducing reliance on cloud streaming and enhancing portable gaming experiences. Community feedback has been positive, with developers actively sharing updates and engaging with inquiries.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

‘Thank you so much for the best weekend ever’: The id Software gang got together at QuakeCon, and it sure looks like everyone had a great time

QuakeCon recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of the iconic game that launched a franchise, featuring a reunion of id Software co-founders Adrian Carmack, John Carmack, Tom Hall, and John Romero. Despite past tensions, the atmosphere was nostalgic and positive, with Tom Hall sharing a clip of the group revisiting old Doom design notes. Romero Games expressed gratitude for the event, and Donna Jackson, known as the "id mom," made a surprise appearance. American McGee reflected on his career transformation thanks to Carmack and Romero. The reunion highlighted the enduring legacy and camaraderie within the gaming community.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

Marvel Tokon Stumbles to Mixed Steam Reviews as ‘Miserable’ PC Port Complaints Prompt Response From Arc System Works

Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls launched on August 6, 2026, on Steam, receiving a "Mixed" user review rating with only 44% of 2,561 reviews being positive. Players have expressed frustration over technical issues, including mandatory PlayStation Network (PSN) account requirements, lack of Linux support, and anti-cheat complications. The PSN requirement has made the game inaccessible in over 100 countries, and many players have criticized the game's performance, noting low frame rates. Despite these issues, some players have praised the game for its character designs and gameplay. Arc System Works has acknowledged the performance problems and is actively investigating them while encouraging player feedback.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

2026’s Best PC Game Officially Steam Deck Verified

2026's highest-rated PC game, Big Walk, has received Steam Deck Verified status, indicating it operates smoothly on the device. It has a Metacritic score of 92, surpassing competitors like Forza Horizon 6 and Resident Evil Requiem. Although Sektori has a higher score of 94, it is a 2025 release and not eligible for the 2026 title. Big Walk, developed by House House and published by Panic, is an online co-op adventure game with a 92% approval rating from over 5,000 user reviews on Steam, priced at .99. The game features a vast open world filled with puzzles and requires teamwork for success.

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

The designer of Diamond City, Little Lamplight, and Starfield’s Neon thinks Bethesda’s galaxy was just too big: ‘I would have done a handful of planets with bespoke layouts’

Nate Purkeypile, a former environment artist at Bethesda, discussed his experiences and insights from his time at the studio on The Examined Game podcast. He contributed to the design of Starfield, particularly the city of Neon, and has also worked on locations in Fallout 3 and Fallout 4. After leaving Bethesda during Starfield's development, he began independent game development and plans to release his first solo project, The Axis Unseen, in 2024. He is looking forward to the remaster of Fallout 3.

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

Lies of P studio reveals name change and hypes up sequel: ‘My goal has been to create the world’s greatest action game.’

Nough, formerly known as Round8, has released a 16-minute mini-documentary that explores its culture and the creative process behind the Lies of P series. The studio's name change reflects its commitment to a development philosophy centered on the motto 'Games by Gamers'. The documentary features behind-the-scenes insights, personal stories from developers, and highlights the challenges faced during the creation of Lies of P. The team is currently working on a sequel, with optimism stemming from the success of the original game and its Overture expansion. News writer Harvey Randall has noted the positive reception of the Overture expansion as a promising sign for Lies of P 2.