studios Archives

AppWizard

June 20, 2026

The creator of Ultima is reportedly reclaiming the series’ rights back from EA, and it could happen as soon as next year

Ultima is a significant franchise in PC gaming, originally created by Richard 'Lord British' Garriott, known for its influential roleplaying series and spinoffs like Ultima Underworld and Ultima Online. The rights to the series have been held by Electronic Arts (EA) since 1992, following Garriott's sale of Origin Systems. Despite some releases, the series has largely been inactive under EA, with unsuccessful attempts at revival in 2010 and 2013. Recent developments indicate that Garriott may soon reclaim the copyright to Ultima in 2027 due to U.S. copyright law, although the trademark will remain with EA. Garriott has expressed interest in potentially creating a new title, possibly titled "Lord British's Ultima." He has attempted to revive the series multiple times during EA's ownership but has faced challenges in those discussions.

AppWizard

June 20, 2026

Guncrypt is Halfbrick Studio’s First PC Game, That Also Works on Linux

Halfbrick Studios is developing a dungeon crawler game called Guncrypt, which features a unique weapon system with three guns, over 60 bullet types, and 80 relic types. Players can customize their gameplay by strategically loading bullets and fusing them for new effects. The game includes tarot cards for passive bonuses and a Curse Level that introduces escalating challenges across five tiers. It consists of four procedurally generated floors with various enemies and a boss at the end. The demo version runs smoothly on Linux using Steam Play with Proton, and the gameplay involves innovative movement mechanics and combat strategies. The game currently has no confirmed release date or pricing, but a demo is available, and a native Linux build is in development.

AppWizard

June 19, 2026

Sony Exec Says PC Game Ports Not Ruled Out, Insider Rumors Argue There Is No Ambiguity

Sony's PlayStation strategy for game releases is influenced by the unique characteristics of each title. PlayStation CEO Hideaki Nishino stated that games will be released on PC only if it enhances the gaming experience, with multiplayer titles more likely to appear on PC while single-player narrative games will remain exclusive to PlayStation. Jason Schreier reported that Hermen Hulst, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, confirmed this exclusivity for single-player games during a town hall meeting. Additionally, first-party PlayStation games have not generated sufficient revenue as PC ports, leading Sony to reassess its strategy, focusing on multiplayer games to build a larger player base.

AppWizard

June 18, 2026

Minecraft Is Becoming Entertainment’s Most Unexpected Storytelling Tool

In Minecraft, avatars lack facial expressions, prompting players to use imagination and body language for emotional interpretation. Players utilize vocal cues for storytelling, making viewers active participants who can influence gameplay. This interactive storytelling fosters social bonds between creators and audiences, allowing real-time audience engagement. Minecraft serves as a versatile platform for gaming, filmmaking, animation, and social networking, promoting independent media consumption. As Generation Z and Alpha engage with narratives across multiple platforms, Minecraft exemplifies this trend. Community innovators, including modders and animators, have inspired Mojang Studios to create narrative content like Minecraft Story Mode and Minecraft Dungeons, with a sequel set to release in September.

AppWizard

June 18, 2026

Sony’s Forgotten Multiplayer PS5, PC Game Gets Final Update as Developer Moves On

Velan Studios has announced the release of the final update for their multiplayer shooter, Midnight Murder Club, which was launched by Sony in August 2025 for PS5 and PC. This update is primarily for Steam players and marks the end of post-launch support, although the game will remain available and the servers will stay operational. Midnight Murder Club features online multiplayer gameplay where players navigate a dark mansion using stealth and strategy. Despite its innovative concept, the game struggled to maintain a large player base.

AppWizard

June 18, 2026

Xbox is porting two classic Call of Duty games to PlayStation — and they’re coming very, very soon

Treyarch announced that Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010) and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012) will be ported to PlayStation platforms, likely for PS4 and PS5, starting in July. Iron Galaxy Studios will handle the modernization of these titles. The games have been available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S since 2016 through Microsoft's Backwards Compatibility Program. There are uncertainties about whether existing PS3 owners will access the new versions for free or transfer their progress. The new ports are expected to integrate with the existing server network. Xbox and PC players have expressed frustration over issues with Black Ops and Black Ops 2 on Xbox, including a locked 720p resolution and hacking problems, as well as the absence of these titles on Xbox Game Pass.

AppWizard

June 17, 2026

Minecraft Officially Launches The Chaos Cubed Content Drop

Minecraft has introduced an expansion called Chaos Cubed, featuring a new sulfur cave biome with sulfur springs and survival challenges. The update includes new mobs called sulfur cubes that absorb blocks and interact with the environment, as well as potent sulfur blocks that create bubbling pools and release noxious gas. The sulfur caves contain shallow water pools, glowing lichen, and abundant sulfur and cinnabar blocks. New block sets allow for creative building, while sulfur spikes and geysers add gameplay mechanics. Players can experiment with TNT and sulfur cubes for unpredictable results. The beta version of Parties for Bedrock Edition allows multiplayer experiences for up to 14 friends.

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

Xbox is reportedly closing South of Midnight studio Compulsion Games after bragging about its award-winning developers earlier this year

Compulsion Games, known for titles like We Happy Few and South of Midnight, may be facing imminent closure as Microsoft’s gaming division undergoes significant layoffs and restructuring. Reports indicate that Compulsion and Double Fine are in negotiations to potentially spin off to avoid shutdown. Employees have expressed concern over job security, with many searching for new opportunities. Compulsion Games, founded in 2009 and based in Montreal, received critical acclaim for its recent title, South of Midnight, which won several awards. Despite previous praise from Xbox executives for the studio's achievements, the future remains uncertain amid corporate changes.

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

Xbox Game Studios head and chief of staff step down as ‘Xbox reset’ looms

Craig Duncan has announced his departure from the role of head of Xbox Game Studios after a tenure of just over a year and a half. He previously led Rare and guided the development of Sea of Thieves for nearly 13 years. His promotion in 2024 placed him in charge of all Microsoft’s gaming studios, including Double Fine, Halo Studios, inXile, Obsidian, Playground Games, and The Coalition. Concerns have been raised about the sustainability of Xbox's rapid studio acquisitions, with speculation about upcoming restructuring efforts and significant layoffs anticipated, potentially affecting studios like Compulsion Games, Double Fine, and Ninja Theory.

AppWizard

June 14, 2026

Steam Adds 11 New Free Games You Can Keep Forever

Steam has added a variety of free games to its library, including: - The Blackwood Project: A horror game where players investigate Blackwood Manor. - Bladefall: A hack-and-slash game with fast-paced melee combat. - 0.5%: A visual novel about two college students uncovering secrets. - Hexpand: A real-time multiplayer strategy game focused on territory expansion. - Pixel Rain: A sandbox game allowing players to create and experiment with interactive materials. - IOSoccer: An online multiplayer soccer game emphasizing ball control. - Hyper Glee Semik: A first-person shooter where players battle candies. - Jolly and Whimsy: An experimental visual novel about a character's quest to retrieve a friend. - Pantomime Horse Obstacle Course: A co-op platformer filled with humor and teamwork challenges. - Card Night at Gigi's: A card game collection featuring classic games in a cozy setting. - The Sphere: A point-and-click adventure exploring themes of loss and mystery.