year in review Archives

AppWizard

March 15, 2025

2024 was Steam’s ‘best year ever’ of users buying newly released games—but I wouldn’t celebrate the end of the forever game era just yet

Valve's "Steam Year In Review" blog post revealed that the peak concurrent user count on Steam has nearly doubled since March 2020, with users engaging with more new titles than ever. In 2024, newly released games generated the highest revenue on Steam, reaching ten times the levels of 2014. Over 500 games surpassed 0,000 in new release sales, with more than 200 achieving over million, marking increases of 27% and 15% compared to 2023. Despite these revenue figures, only 15% of user playtime was dedicated to games released in 2024, up from 9% in 2023 but down from 17% in 2022. Notable successful titles included Palworld, Helldivers 2, Space Marine 2, and Black Myth Wukong, alongside established games like Dota 2 and Counter-Strike 2. The closure of several live service games suggests a potential shift in the gaming industry's dynamics.

AppWizard

February 17, 2025

Epic Games Store hits 295m PC users in 2024

The Epic Games Store has over 295 million users on PC, with an increase of 25 million accounts from the previous year. Epic Games reported a total of 898 million cross-platform accounts, a rise of 94 million year-on-year. PC players spent .09 billion on the store, a 15 percent increase from the prior year, although spending on third-party titles declined by 18 percent, totaling 5 million. The store averages 67 million monthly active users and 32 million daily active users. The highest-performing games of 2024 include Genshin Impact, Rocket League, Honkai Star Rail, Grand Theft Auto 5, and Fortnite Battle Royale. The next tier of successful titles includes EA Sports FC 24, Destiny 2: The Final Shape, Alan Wake 2, Fall Guys, and Wuthering Waves.

AppWizard

February 15, 2025

Epic Games Store hits nearly 300 million PC users in 2024

Epic Games' store has attracted 295 million users on PC and nearly 900 million cross-platform accounts, marking an increase of approximately 100 million users from the previous year, with an average of 67 million monthly active users (MAUs). However, revenue from third-party game sales on PC has declined by 18% year-over-year, dropping from 0 million to 5 million. Overall revenue has increased from 0 million to .09 billion, largely due to Epic's own titles. The top three titles on the platform are Free-to-Play games: Genshin Impact, Rocket League, and Honkai Star Rail, with Grand Theft Auto V being the first paid title on the list. Epic plans to enhance its mobile applications and add features like voice chat and out-of-game invites to the PC client. Concerns remain about the sustainability of third-party game sales as Epic's revenue increasingly relies on its own franchises.

AppWizard

February 14, 2025

Epic Games Store Announces a Ton More Free Games for PC Gamers

Epic Games has announced that its free games initiative will continue into 2025, offering complimentary titles for PC and mobile gamers. In 2024, the Epic Games Store provided 89 free giveaways valued at over ,000. Currently, two free titles are available, including a game released in 2024. Upcoming free offerings include Garden Story and World War Z: Aftermath, set to be available on February 20.

AppWizard

February 14, 2025

Epic Games Store has more PC players than ever – 295 million, in fact

Epic Games Store attracted 295 million PC players over the past year, an increase of 25 million since 2023. The platform has 898 million Epic cross-platform accounts, up by 94 million, with a collective playtime of 2.68 billion hours. The game catalog expanded by 1,100 new titles, supported by Self-Publishing Tools allowing developers to retain 100 percent of their revenue. The Free Games Program has provided over ,000 worth of premium PC titles through 89 giveaways, continuing into 2025. Daily Active Users (DAU) peaked at 37.2 million, while Monthly Active Users (MAU) declined slightly from 75 million to 74 million. DAU increased by 6 percent to 31.5 million, and MAU grew by 6 percent to 67.2 million. Popular titles include Genshin Impact, Rocket League, Honkai Star Rail, GTA 5, and Fortnite. The Now on Epic program will extend until January 31, 2026, including mobile games. Third-party gametime rose from 2.41 billion hours in 2023 to 2.68 billion in 2024, an 11 percent year-over-year growth. The Walt Disney Company acquired a .5 billion stake in Epic Games, initiating a multi-year partnership for a games and entertainment universe linked to Fortnite.

AppWizard

February 14, 2025

Epic Games Store Year in Review Released – Players Spend 2.68 Billion Hours Playing Third-Party PC Titles

The Epic Games Store reported over 295 million PC users in 2024, an increase of 25 million from the previous year, and a total of 898 million Epic cross-platform accounts, up by 94 million since 2023. Players logged 2.68 billion hours in third-party games, and 1,100 new titles were added to the catalog due to Self-Publishing Tools. In December, there were 74 million Monthly Active Users, with 89 free games offered throughout the year, resulting in 595 million claims. Players spent .09 billion on the platform, with 5 million on exclusive third-party titles. Future plans include expanding the Free Games Program to mobile platforms and enhancing the Epic Games Store Mobile App, along with supporting AAB file types and mobile self-publishing tools. Upcoming titles include Splitgate 2, 33 Immortals, Killing Floor 3, Borderlands 4, and Cronos: The New Dawn.

Winsage

February 11, 2025

Microsoft’s fake “Uninstall Microsoft Edge” guide is gone—but it’s still misleading

Microsoft has updated its "How to Uninstall Microsoft Edge" page, redirecting users to a general guide about the browser instead of providing uninstallation instructions. The new page, titled "Get to Know Microsoft Edge," highlights the browser's features and includes a download link for Edge, which is unhelpful for users seeking to remove it. The previous guide had made claims about Edge's performance compared to Chrome but has shifted to a promotional tone without mentioning "Uninstall." Users looking for straightforward uninstallation steps are still met with a promotional narrative, although alternative resources exist for clear guidance on the uninstallation process.

BetaBeacon

December 23, 2024

Here’s how much Switch and Steam Deck you played this year

Handheld gaming devices like the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck allow users to easily lose track of time while playing. Steam Replay and Nintendo Switch Year in Review are features that track game time, most played games, and other statistics for handheld gamers. Some users are unable to access the Nintendo Switch Year in Review, and Xbox and PlayStation also have similar year-end features.