GameMaker offers free version as ‘gift’ to developers

2D game engine GameMaker has announced massive pricing changes in what its head calls a "gift" to its loyal user base.

Starting today, GameMaker will be free to use for noncommercial, non-console game development projects in a move CEO Russell Kay says is meant to "do the opposite" of recent unpopular decisions by competitors like Unity and Unreal Engine.

Specifically, GameMaker is eliminating the $9.99 per month indie and creator subscription fee. Instead, developers...

23 November 2023 | Development Tools

Mobile game ‘mortality rate’ hits 83% within three years

A new whitepaper titled "Good Games Don't Die" reveals that 83 percent of launched mobile games fail within three years.

The study, conducted by revenue growth engine SuperScale, polled 500 developers across the US and UK to uncover issues plaguing the $96.2 billion mobile gaming industry.

The report unveils a catch-22 where 78 percent of developers prefer building new games despite a critical 43 percent failure rate during development alone.

This trend...

22 November 2023 | Android

Play Store set to integrate AI-generated FAQs

Google looks to be gearing up to incorporate even more of its AI capabilities into the Play Store.

TheSpAndroid, in its deep dive into the Play Store's 38.4.12 version, stumbled upon strings hinting at a new AI feature that involves generating Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for developers’ apps.

The discovered strings indicate Google's intentions to introduce AI-generated FAQ sections on the details page of "Apps & Games." One notable string from the APK...

21 November 2023 | Android

Unity unveils AI innovations and platform updates at Unite 2023

Unity has introduced a range of AI innovations and platform updates aimed at enhancing support for game developers in realising their creative visions and achieving success in the competitive gaming industry.

One of the highlights is the early access availability of Unity Muse, an AI-powered suite designed to simplify content creation for game developers.

Muse offers features such as Muse Chat, enabling developers to source answers and resources across Unity and obtain...

17 November 2023 | Artificial Intelligence

Checkmarx uncovers persistent Python package threat

Checkmarx has uncovered a threat actor that has been quietly infiltrating the open-source ecosystem for nearly six months, planting malicious Python packages with a focus on deception and financial gain.

The malicious actor employed a systematic approach, disguising their packages with names closely resembling popular legitimate Python packages. These decoy packages, camouflaged to blend in, successfully garnered thousands of downloads. The malicious payload, embedded within the...

16 November 2023 | Developer

Google Play introduces policies to boost app quality

Google Play has announced a series of initiatives aimed at bolstering the platform's overall experience and steer users away from low-quality applications.

Verification requirements update

Earlier this year, Google Play introduced an expanded set of verification requirements for all developers, a move to empower users to make informed choices, combat malware, and reduce fraud. The company has now provided details on how developers with existing accounts can comply with these...

13 November 2023 | Android

AI coding assistants: A double-edged sword for DevOps in 2024

A growing reliance on AI-powered coding assistants is reshaping how DevOps teams operate, for better or worse.

According to Forrester's 2024 cybersecurity, risk, and privacy predictions, AI coding assistants are becoming integral to boosting productivity. However, a cautionary note accompanies this technological shift, as Forrester warns of potential pitfalls that could lead to cybersecurity breaches.

Forrester predicts that the combination of inconsistent compliance and...

10 November 2023 | API

Wallarm highlights disturbing trends in API security threats

Wallarm has released its Q3 2023 API ThreatStats report which sheds light on the escalating threats targeting APIs and revealing vulnerabilities that have impacted industry giants such as Netflix, VMware, and SAP.

The report's revamped ‘Top 10 API Security Threats’ compilation outlines 239 vulnerabilities discovered during the quarter, with injections taking the lead.

Injections involve inserting malicious data or code into APIs, leading to unauthorised access and...

8 November 2023 | API

Xbox and Inworld AI forge game-changing alliance

Xbox has unveiled a partnership with Inworld AI aimed at transforming game development using AI-powered tools.

In a blog post, Haiyan Zhang, General Manager of Gaming AI at Xbox, reflected on the evolution of gaming AI from the days of Ms Pac-Man to the present. Zhang highlighted the transformative potential of modern AI in creating living worlds, dynamic narratives, and intricate characters.

While traditional rule-based AI set the foundation, the integration of Large...

6 November 2023 | Artificial Intelligence

Google scraps controversial Web Environment Integrity API

Google has officially scrapped its controversial Web Environment Integrity API proposal, which was likened to digital rights management (DRM) for the open web.

The API, which was at the proposal stage, aimed to allow websites to verify the authenticity of users and their devices or browsers.

Google's intentions behind this initiative were to enhance user trust in online environments and combat issues such as social media manipulation, phishing campaigns, non-human...

3 November 2023 | Android