October 15, 2026

⚠️⚠️ gameloop will be switching to publishing 3x per week (MWF) starting next week! ⚠️⚠️

Game marketing consultant Chris Zukowski analyzed data from 160 Steam games and found that wishlists collected in 2023–2025 converted into roughly half as many first-month sales as those from 2020–2022. Despite this inflation, total wishlists remain a strong predictor of launch success, with a 0.87 correlation to first-month sales rankings. The study also found that wishlist velocity isn't a better predictor than total wishlist counts, challenging a growing assumption among indie developers.

Facepunch Studios is shifting S&Box, the successor to Garry’s Mod, toward a free-to-play model while rethinking how players discover community-created games. Rather than relying on a subscription-style “Netflix for games” approach, the studio plans to emphasize human curation and higher-quality experiences to help creators reach players. The changes follow a troubled launch and reflect Facepunch’s efforts to build a sustainable platform for user-generated games.

Ubisoft has proposed closing RedLynx, the Finnish developer behind the Trials series, putting up to 52 jobs at risk, while also cutting 70 positions at Ubisoft Singapore, known for Skull and Bones and Assassin’s Creed. RedLynx had shifted toward supporting other Ubisoft projects, including Star Wars Outlaws, after its last Trials release in 2019. The cuts are part of Ubisoft’s ongoing restructuring to reduce costs and consolidate development across six Creative Houses.

Indie game Become has reportedly surpassed 145,000 Steam wishlists ahead of launch. The unusual adventure puts players in control of a sperm cell, turning a journey toward fertilization into a video game. Its unconventional premise and wishlist milestone make it an interesting example of how a distinctive concept can attract attention in a crowded indie market.

Playgama has launched a suite of tools that lets developers use Claude Code, Codex and other AI agents to publish HTML5 games, analyze player behavior and release updates automatically. Its MCP integration handles uploads and generates playable links, while Playgama Sandbox provides analytics, ad monetization from launch and game discovery. Successful titles can expand into a distribution network reaching up to 450 million monthly players, with AI agents using real player data to guide future improvements.

Unreal Engine artist Anthony Koithra has released LCAT (Locodrome Character Animation Tool), a free, rebuilt version of his MetaHuman animation utility. The tool streamlines facial and body animation directly inside UE5, automatically switching controls between face and body rigs. It also supports UE5 Mannequin and Character Creator 4 skeletons, with improvements shaped by professional animator feedback and support from an Epic MegaGrant. Available free on Fab and Gumroad.

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