uncertain future Archives

AppWizard

December 5, 2025

Minecraft rival Hytale skips Steam at launch to dodge negative reviews, and its developer says it “might never need” Valve’s store

Hytale will not be available on Steam at its early access launch in January 2026. The game, originally canceled by Riot Games, has been revived by its creator Simon Collins-Laflamme and his team at Hypixel Studios, which prefers using its own launcher. Executive director Patrick 'Lyall' Derbic stated that they do not see Steam as a necessity and want to focus on community feedback. The game will be released in a rough state to encourage collaborative development. The initial release will be limited to PC, with plans for Mac and Linux support to be determined later, and console versions expected afterward. Premium editions will offer exclusive content during early access, but this will not carry over to the full release. There will be no pay-to-win options, and modders can create visual mods without overriding official cosmetics. Some features, like pets and tamable animals, will not be available at launch, nor will proximity chat, although it is nearing completion.

AppWizard

November 28, 2025

Revived survival RPG Hytale already has a release date after springing back to life, but the owner is reminding everyone the game ‘isn’t good yet’

Hytale has undergone a challenging seven-year development period and faced cancellation by Riot Games, but the original owner has reclaimed the project to pursue its original vision. Developer Hypixel has released new gameplay footage and announced an early access release date of January 13, 2026. However, they have cautioned players to manage their expectations, describing the footage as "raw and broken" and stating that the game is not yet in a good state. CEO Simon Collins-Laflamme advised against pre-ordering or participating in early access for those who might feel uncomfortable, while content lead Polina Logado reminded followers that it is an alpha release. Hytale aims to be an ambitious reinterpretation of the Minecraft formula despite its challenges.

Winsage

November 12, 2025

Google makes it easier for businesses to run Windows apps on ChromeOS amid an uncertain future

Google has rebranded Cameyo, the software virtualization company it acquired last year, as “Cameyo by Google” to enhance the usability of Windows applications on ChromeOS. Cameyo's platform allows users to stream individual Windows applications directly to their devices via a web app, integrating seamlessly with the native file system of Chromebooks. This solution targets enterprise users, enabling them to run legacy applications alongside modern web apps without the need for a separate virtual desktop environment. Cameyo also supports organizations in transitioning to ChromeOS while maintaining access to essential Windows applications, addressing the "app gap" that has hindered enterprise adoption of ChromeOS.

AppWizard

November 8, 2025

NetEase racks up its third studio casualty in one week, kneecapping dev working on a Warhammer MMO: ‘Devastated doesn’t even begin to cover it’

Jackalyptic Games, which was developing a Warhammer MMO, has ended its partnership with NetEase Games after nearly three and a half years. This is the third studio to be affected by NetEase's actions this week, contributing to a total of six Western studios that have closed this year. CEO Jack Emmert announced the situation on LinkedIn, indicating uncertainty for the studio's future, as many team members are now seeking new jobs. The trend of studios being abandoned by NetEase includes others like Fantastic Pixel Castle, Bad Brain, and T-Minus Zero, raising concerns about the viability of MMO development amid a challenging industry landscape marked by layoffs and project cancellations.

AppWizard

November 3, 2025

Just Cause 5 would be a ‘no go’ according to the series’ creator, as ‘extremely few from the original team’ remain at Avalanche Studios

Seven years have passed since Avalanche Studios released a new installment in the Just Cause series, with the last title, Just Cause 4, coming out in 2018. Cristofer Sundberg, the series' creator, indicated that the chances of a new Just Cause game are slim due to the departure of many key creatives. He expressed regret over moving from creative leadership to a corporate role, which he believes contributed to the struggles of Just Cause 4. The development of a new project, Contraband, was halted after significant layoffs at Microsoft, leading to further layoffs at Avalanche Studios. Despite mixed reviews, Just Cause 4 saw improvements through updates. Sundberg's new studio, Liquid Swords, has faced challenges, including staff layoffs, but continues to develop a narrative-driven open-world game.

AppWizard

October 29, 2025

New World is dead: Amazon ends new content updates following massive layoffs, says ‘servers will be live through 2026’

Amazon Games announced significant layoffs, part of a broader reduction of 14,000 jobs across the company, reflecting economic conditions and strategic changes. The company will cease a large portion of its first-party AAA game development, particularly in MMOs. The MMO New World: Aeternum will no longer receive content updates and may be phased out by the end of 2026. Despite fluctuations in player engagement, maintaining interest has been challenging. The game will still be available for purchase, and players can buy in-game currency, but the future of the game is uncertain. Amazon will keep the servers operational through 2026, providing necessary bug fixes and maintaining some events, but the lack of new content may reduce the player base. Players will receive at least six months’ notice before any changes affecting gameplay are implemented.

AppWizard

October 8, 2025

Dead Space returns in the saddest way possible, but at least Isaac Clarke is back

Live-service games and crossover cosmetics have sparked debate among gamers, particularly regarding the appearance of iconic characters in different contexts. Isaac Clarke, originally from Dead Space, has been reimagined in the game Skate with a costume made from cardboard and duct tape. To obtain his complete set, players must spend 3,350 San Van Bucks, approximately .98 or £26.48. In contrast, the 2023 remake of Dead Space is priced lower, often on sale for around .99. The future of the Dead Space franchise is uncertain, as EA Motive is being integrated into Battlefield Studios, reducing the likelihood of more content featuring Isaac Clarke. The crossover skin is viewed as overpriced and underwhelming by fans, although it may attract new players to Dead Space.

AppWizard

September 29, 2025

Google’s dev registration plan ‘will end the F-Droid project

The F-Droid project, a distributor of open-source applications for Android, faces challenges due to Google's plans to enforce developer registration for app installations on Android-certified devices starting next year. This initiative will restrict installations to verified developers, impacting platforms like F-Droid that prioritize user privacy and do not require user accounts. Marc Prud'hommeaux, a board member of F-Droid, expressed concerns that these changes could dismantle the project, as F-Droid cannot comply with Google's registration requirements without compromising its mission. Google defends its initiative as a measure to protect users from malware, citing that sideloaded apps have a higher incidence of malware compared to those in the Play Store. However, Prud'hommeaux argues that F-Droid's open-source nature allows for public audits, highlighting security incidents in the Play Store. F-Droid, founded in 2010, operates as a non-profit initiative that facilitates the installation of open-source Android applications, ensuring thorough review and tamper-proof distribution. The project also informs users about potential drawbacks of apps, while the overall Android ecosystem has become increasingly controlled by Google, with recent changes to the Android Open Source Project indicating a shift towards a more closed model.

Winsage

August 29, 2025

Windows 11 is breaking from its bedrock and moving away

The Wintel Empire, once dominant in personal computing, has lost its competitive edge by 2025, with Intel struggling in desktop, server, and mobile markets as users shift to alternatives like Arm and AMD. The introduction of Windows on Arm64 marks a significant but reactionary change, as Intel faces challenges in adapting. Windows 11's launch has led to many modern PCs being deemed obsolete, causing user discontent and rushed migrations. In contrast, Apple has successfully supported older machines during its architecture transition. Microsoft has released a streamlined version of Windows 11 for Xbox handheld devices, raising concerns about its future for non-gaming applications. Intel's uncertain future may lead to collaborations that could enhance competition and innovation. Microsoft’s development approach appears reactive, raising questions about the long-term viability of its ecosystem. Despite these changes, many users may not perceive significant differences in their daily experiences with Windows.

AppWizard

August 8, 2025

Sony’s live-service transition “not entirely going smoothly”

Sony Interactive Entertainment's CEO and CFO, Lin Tao, discussed challenges in the company's live-service gaming strategy, acknowledging difficulties in transitioning to a service-oriented portfolio. This includes the cancellation of the game Concord shortly after its release and the postponement of Bungie's title, Marathon, along with several other shelved projects. Tao noted that live-service games were almost non-existent for PlayStation Studios five years ago, but now contribute significantly to sales and profit through titles like Helldivers 2, MLB, Gran Turismo 7, and Destiny 2. The live-service ratio for Q1 was approximately 40 percent, with projections for the full year estimating between 20 to 30 percent. He recognized ongoing issues that need addressing to improve the introduction of live service content. Regarding Marathon, Tao mentioned it was delayed from its original September release due to an unsatisfactory alpha test, with an optimistic aim for completion by March 2026, though no official launch date has been set. He also discussed Bungie's integration into PlayStation Studios, indicating a shift from its initial independent operation towards becoming more integrated into the studio's structure.