studios Archives

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

Epic Games Store boss quits after 8 years to take up new role at Saber Interactive

Steve Allison has left his position as vice president and general manager of the Epic Games Store after eight years to become the chief business officer at Saber Interactive. He praised Saber Interactive's founders and their ability to create high-quality games cost-effectively, mentioning upcoming titles like Space Marine 3, Jurassic Park, Turok, Hellraiser, and a new John Wick game, along with several unannounced projects. During his tenure at Epic Games, Allison helped launch the Epic Games Store in 2018, which now has 78 million monthly active users, largely due to the strategy of offering free games. The Epic Games Store competes with Steam, which is estimated to have around 200 million monthly active users. Saber Interactive, founded in 2001, gained recognition for its work on Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary and was acquired by Embracer in 2020, later being sold to a company owned by Karch for 7 million.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

Future Games Show returns to Gamescom with 3 shows

Future, the publisher behind PC Gamer, will host three showcases at Gamescom in August: "Future Games Show at Gamescom" and "FGS Live From Gamescom" on August 26, and "FGS Best Of Gamescom" on August 30. The events will feature world premieres, exclusive trailers, developer insights, and new game demos. Additionally, the PC Gaming Show Tokyo Direct is set for September 20, coinciding with the Tokyo Game Show.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

Survival is Optional, Death is Inevitable: Celestial Return Launches Today on PC

Metaphor Games and Shoreline Games have released a dice-based narrative RPG titled Celestial Return, now available on PC via Steam. The game features players as Detective Howard in the neon-lit Netherveil City, with plans to expand to PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo consoles by Q1 2027, including support for three new languages. Players use dice as a currency to navigate the game's narrative, which is influenced by their choices and character attributes. The game includes features like a gameplay loop focused on dice management, a branching narrative, and a unique visual style combining manga and American comics.

AppWizard

July 13, 2026

One week after going independent in the Xbox bloodbath, South of Midnight developer Compulsion Games is looking for work

Compulsion Games has regained its independence after layoffs at Xbox and is seeking new collaborations within the games and entertainment industry. The studio's game, South of Midnight, has won several awards, including a BAFTA Award, a Peabody Award, and seven Canadian Game Awards, and has been recognized on multiple 'Best Games of 2025' lists with an 83% review score. Despite its critical acclaim, the game did not achieve blockbuster sales, leading to concerns about the studio's long-term viability. Compulsion Games was founded in 2009 and has previously provided services to other studios. Before their independence announcement, several employees began exploring new job opportunities with the support of studio leadership, reflecting uncertainty within the studio.

AppWizard

July 13, 2026

More than 17,000 games on Steam now come with an AI disclosure, 30% use AI for two or more reasons

Over 17,250 games on Steam feature AI-generated content, with 69% of this AI usage dedicated to enhancing in-game content such as artwork, writing, audio, and localization. During a recent Steam event, nearly 20% of showcased games carried an AI warning. Some well-known titles like PUBG and Call of Duty also disclose their use of AI. While some developers express hesitance towards AI integration, data suggests that many gamers are open to the benefits of AI in their gaming experience. The primary use of AI is for in-game assets, followed by marketing materials at 17%, while only 5% of developers use AI solely for development purposes.

AppWizard

July 13, 2026

“Think Google Docs meets a creative sandbox like Fortnite or Minecraft”: Audiotool 3.0 turns its multiplayer online DAW into an open platform for creator-built music tools

Audiotool 3.0 has launched, introducing real-time multiplayer music creation capabilities via web browsers and tablets, with mobile applications planned. The update features NEXUS, an open-source SDK that allows users to create their own instruments, plugins, and AI tools within the Audiotool ecosystem. The platform aims to enhance collaboration by addressing issues like device discrepancies and incompatible plugins, boasting the lowest latency among online music production tools. Users can design custom instruments, effects, and applications, and the SDK supports AI integrations. Launch partners for NEXUS include Splice, Ujam, BandM8, and Fraunhofer, and Audiotool is hosting a hackathon series until August 23 to encourage innovation.

AppWizard

July 12, 2026

Expensive Games Are Fueling Steam’s Most Lucrative Year

The video game industry is experiencing closures and cancellations, yet Steam is set for its most profitable year, having generated a billion in gross revenue in the first half of 2026. Steam's performance has nearly matched that of 2021, with blockbuster titles like Resident Evil Requiem, Forza Horizon 6, and Crimson Desert each earning nearly 100 million in sales. Premium pricing for new releases is a key factor in revenue growth, although new releases account for less than 20% of total sales. Asian markets, especially China, are increasingly embracing Steam, and many studios are adapting to align with its ecosystem. A significant portion of Steam's revenue comes from its back catalogue, which has seen a 6% decline in new release contributions compared to the previous year, indicating a trend towards long-tail publishing strategies.

AppWizard

July 12, 2026

Elder Scrolls Online studio echoes id Software, claims to now be the same size it was 10 years ago following Xbox layoffs

ZeniMax Online Studios has experienced a significant workforce reduction, returning to headcount levels similar to those from 2015-2018, following layoffs of 213 and 136 employees, with an additional 62 positions cut in 2025 after the cancellation of the MMO Blackbird. Senior developers, including Brandon Adler, have expressed concerns about perceptions of the studio's talent pool amidst these changes. The layoffs at ZeniMax and id Software were strategic responses to the evolving game development landscape. Other companies like Bungie and BioWare have also seen similar workforce adjustments without necessarily improving productivity or creative output. There are concerns that this narrative may be used as a public relations strategy by Microsoft, potentially perpetuating negative stereotypes about laid-off employees.

AppWizard

July 12, 2026

Two PC freebies are the perfect weekend night spooks to complete in one night

Indie developer Crux Game Studios is offering two free games, Within and Decrypt, available for download on Itch.io until July 13. Within is a 30-minute game where players control Maya, who confronts nightmarish foes to rescue her brother, Nikil. Decrypt is a sci-fi survival-horror game that takes about an hour to complete, where players investigate a missing cargo ship and uncover a sinister reality.

AppWizard

July 12, 2026

Obsidian game director is sick of hearing bad takes about the state of the studio: ‘The through line from KotOR2 to our current games is pretty clear’

Microsoft has restructured Xbox, resulting in significant layoffs affecting thousands of employees and the disbanding of four game studios, including Double Fine and Compulsion Games returning to indie status, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs were sold. Obsidian Entertainment, initially thought to be unaffected, also faced layoffs but is reportedly developing a new Fallout game with Josh Sawyer as director. A member of Obsidian's leadership, Adler, expressed frustration over misconceptions about the studio's evolution, emphasizing that key figures from its past successes remain. He reassured fans that the core essence of Obsidian is unchanged, despite recent challenges. Adler acknowledged the emotional toll of the layoffs and expressed support for departing employees. Anticipation for Obsidian's new Fallout title is growing.