video game industry Archives

AppWizard

May 31, 2026

The Stop Killing Games movement hits another major milestone as a game preservation bill passes California State Assembly vote

The California State Assembly passed the Protect Our Games Act (AB 1921) with a vote of 43 to 16. This bill aims to address game preservation issues, particularly following Ubisoft's decision to de-list its online racing game, The Crew, which affected many players. Stop Killing Games, an organization advocating for game preservation, has established NGOs in the EU and the US to counter lobbying efforts related to game shutdowns. The bill will now proceed to the California State Senate for further support but faces opposition from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which argues it could misallocate developers' resources.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

Fallout lead Tim Cain argues games industry crisis hasn’t reached the level of the 1983 crash: ‘I don’t think there’s ever been a worse time in the games industry’

Tim Cain, a veteran RPG developer, discussed the challenges in the current video game industry, noting that approximately 10% of game developers are affected by layoffs and studio closures. He emphasized that while the situation is serious, it does not compare to the catastrophic crash of 1983, during which many developers were abruptly unemployed and the U.S. video game market collapsed. Cain reflected on the lasting impact of that crash, stating it resulted in the loss of an entire generation of game developers and took nearly a decade for the PC market to recover. He identified contemporary issues such as an oversaturation of games, a devaluation of games due to subscription services, and an uneven crisis that largely bypasses consumers. In contrast, industry veterans John and Brenda Romero expressed a more pessimistic view, feeling that the current crisis seems more severe than the earlier collapse.

AppWizard

May 20, 2026

PC Gamers React to Sony Making Its Narrative Single-Player Games PlayStation Exclusive

Sony is committing to keeping narrative single-player games exclusive to the PlayStation 5, with titles like Saros, Ghost of Yotei, Marvel’s Wolverine, and Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet confirmed for the platform. Multiplayer titles will still be available on both PC and PlayStation. The PC gaming community has reacted with disappointment, with many gamers expressing indifference toward purchasing a PS5 for a few exclusive titles. Industry analysts speculate that disappointing sales of PlayStation titles on PC and the emergence of the next Xbox may have influenced Sony's decision. Historically, Sony has taken a staggered release approach for its games, while Microsoft has favored simultaneous launches. The rising costs of the PS5 and its games are raising questions about the sustainability of Sony's exclusivity strategy.

AppWizard

March 31, 2026

Bethesda, Epic, Microsoft, and Ubisoft unite in this new Humble Bundle with games under $3 each

The latest Humble Bundle features a collection of eight video games, including titles from major studios such as Bethesda, Ubisoft, and Microsoft, and supports the Entertainment Software Association. The highlighted game, Pentiment, is a narrative-driven experience set in 16th-century Bavaria, where players control artist Andreas Maler and make impactful decisions while unraveling a murder mystery. Other games in the bundle include Far Cry Primal, Dishonored 2, Mafia Trilogy, State of Decay 2, Horizon Chase 2, Tetris Forever, and Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions. The bundle is available for £16.21 and will be offered until Friday, April 3.

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.