video game industry Archives

AppWizard

March 17, 2026

DRAGONKIN: THE BANISHED IS NOW AVAILABLE ON PC

NACON and Eko Software have released Dragonkin: The Banished, a Hack’N’Slash adventure game, now available on PC via Steam as of March 16, 2026. The Digital Deluxe Edition for consoles is also accessible today, with a broader release for PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X|S set for March 19. The game features four dragon hunters, a unique skill system called the Ancestral Grid, and a vibrant city hub named Montescail. It has received an 85% positive review rate on Steam since its last update. The early access phase began on March 6, 2025.

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

Dev at axed PlayStation game studio says Steam Machine could be why Sony is going back to console exclusives

Sony is shifting away from releasing PC ports and is reaffirming its commitment to console exclusives for single-player titles, including upcoming games like Ghost of Yōtei and Marvel’s Wolverine. This decision comes despite the success of Ghost of Tsushima on PC. Discussions suggest that the Steam Machine may influence this strategy, with Mike Ybarra and Peter Dalton highlighting Valve as a significant competitor rather than Xbox. Bluepoint Games, acquired by Sony in 2021, faced closure on March 2nd, following Sony's cancellation of a live-service God of War game. Sony's focus on exclusives is seen as a strategic advantage in competition with both Valve and Xbox, similar to Nintendo's success with its exclusive titles.

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

Shacknews Best PC Game of 2025

Battlefield 6 has been awarded the Shacknews Award for Best PC Game of 2025. The game requires a minimum of an RTX 2060 or an RX 5600 XT for optimal performance. It supports multiple input methods, with a keyboard providing enhanced precision in gameplay.

AppWizard

December 23, 2025

Tributes pour in for FPS “visionary” Vince Zampella, co-creator of Call of Duty and Titanfall, who has died

Vince Zampella passed away at the age of 55. He co-founded Infinity Ward and was instrumental in creating titles such as Call of Duty 2, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. He later co-founded Respawn Entertainment, where he oversaw the development of the Titanfall series, Apex Legends, and the Star Wars Jedi franchise. Most recently, he led the Battlefield franchise, contributing to the successful release of Battlefield 6 in 2025. Zampella's work on the Titanfall 2 campaign, particularly the mission Effect and Cause, is highly regarded for its innovative mechanics. Tributes from industry figures highlight his influence and legacy, with statements from studios he helped establish expressing gratitude for his leadership and vision. Many developers shared personal anecdotes about his inspiring nature. His contributions have significantly impacted the video game industry and the gaming community.

BetaBeacon

October 29, 2025

Xsolla Enables U.S. Google Play Game Developers to Add External Purchase Links Inside Their Games

Xsolla has announced its ability to facilitate external purchases for Android developers in the United States following Google's recent policy updates.

AppWizard

October 17, 2025

Saudi Arabia’s acquisition of Electronic Arts faces pushback from game developers, petition calls on FTC to ‘scrutinize this deal closely’

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, along with private equity firms, is acquiring Electronic Arts (EA) for a billion dollars, facing significant resistance from the United Videogame Workers-CWA union. The union has urged regulators to prioritize job protection, creative freedom, and accountability in decision-making. EA, with annual revenues of .5 billion and profits of billion, is not in distress, but concerns have been raised about potential layoffs, particularly at BioWare, a studio known for its progressive narrative approach. The union warned that job losses would be a choice made for investor profit rather than necessity. U.S. senators Richard Blumenthal and Elizabeth Warren have expressed concerns about national security risks related to the acquisition, but regulatory intervention seems unlikely due to a shift in the FTC's stance and the involvement of Jared Kushner in the deal. The union has initiated a petition to prompt regulatory examination of the acquisition.

AppWizard

September 19, 2025

Maine Mom Takes Roblox, Fortnite, Minecraft Makers to Court

A mother from Somerset County has filed a lawsuit against the creators of Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft, claiming their products have harmed her child due to addictive behaviors. The lawsuit states her son began playing these games at age four and has developed an addiction. The mother alleges that the game developers prioritize profit over the well-being of young players and accuses them of negligence and insufficient protections for minors. She seeks damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, medical expenses, attorneys’ fees, and economic losses. Concerns about video game addiction have grown, with the World Health Organization recognizing "gaming disorder" in 2019. The companies involved have not yet responded to the allegations.

AppWizard

September 18, 2025

How Movie Adaptations Impact the Video Game Industry

Video games are becoming a significant revenue source for the film and television industry, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship. Media adaptations of video games attract diverse audiences, with recent adaptations for titles like Call of Duty, Life is Strange, and Dark Deception indicating a continuing trend. Adaptations typically result in a 203% increase in players for TV shows and a 48% increase for films, encouraging collaborations between video game companies and entertainment studios. The competition among studios to partner with video game franchises is increasing, as evidenced by the success of films like The Super Mario Bros. Movie and A Minecraft Movie, which appeal to family audiences. Video game adaptations are emerging as a major trend in Hollywood, potentially surpassing superhero films.

AppWizard

September 14, 2025

Final Fantasy composer shares concern about ‘stagnation’ in game music: ‘Frankly speaking, there’s less weird things now’

Nobuo Uematsu, a renowned video game composer known for his work on the Final Fantasy series, expressed concerns about the significant influence of directors and producers over musical compositions in the video game industry. He noted that this power dynamic limits composers' creative freedom. Uematsu highlighted the diverse soundscapes in contemporary gaming, citing examples like Sega-style beats, the strings of Hollow Knight, and rock tracks from Hades. He encouraged aspiring composers to experiment and innovate, warning against complacency and suggesting the exploration of new genres, such as techno, to create unique compositions.

AppWizard

September 11, 2025

Silksong is huge, but it’s way huger on PC: Steam was Team Cherry’s biggest US platform, analyst says, and the game didn’t even break top 50 on PlayStation

Hollow Knight: Silksong was released by Team Cherry on September 4 and peaked at 587,150 concurrent players on Steam. The PlayStation Store had a slower uptake compared to PC, with a delayed update for the game's listing contributing to a subdued response from North American PS4 and PS5 players. Many opted to purchase the game through other channels or did not buy it due to its availability for free to Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscribers. Observations are based on the game's release day, indicating potential for increased interest over time.