Wizardry
News, coverage and analysis tracking Wizardry across the outlets.
Japanese gamers reveal their favourite games and the answers might surprise youA survey by Japanese magazine Famitsu revealed that RPGs dominate the preferences of Japanese gamers, with series like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy being highly influential and desired. Nintendo was named the nation's favorite developer, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a top pick for recommendations and replaying. The survey highlights a significant difference in gaming tastes compared to Western markets, with a strong emphasis on adventure and anime-style games in Japan.
Wizardry 45th anniversary main visual unveiledDrecom has unveiled the main visual for the Wizardry 45th anniversary, created by illustrator Jun Suemi. The company also launched a special survey for fans to share their memories and messages about the long-running RPG series. The visual connects the series' history with its future, featuring characters from Wizardry Variants Daphne and Blade & Bastard.
Wizardry 45th anniversary main visual revealedDrecom has revealed the main visual for the ongoing Wizardry 45th anniversary celebration, created by illustrator Jun Suemi. The visual connects the series' 45-year history with its future, featuring characters from various Wizardry titles and the novel Blade & Bastard. A special survey is also live, inviting fans to share their memories and messages for the franchise.- Wizardry 45th anniversary website launchedDrecom has launched a special website to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the RPG series Wizardry. Further details about the anniversary events are expected to be revealed on the website.
Atari acquires Crossy Road developer Hipster WhaleAtari has acquired Australian studio Hipster Whale, the developer behind the mobile hit Crossy Road, for an initial sum of $29.3 million, with potential earn-outs reaching $40 million. This acquisition aims to bolster Atari's mobile development and publishing capabilities, with Hipster Whale co-founder Matt Hall set to lead the expansion. Atari CEO Wade Rosen highlighted the shared vision for classic retro-style gaming and the potential to expand Atari's mobile business by combining Hipster Whale's expertise with Atari's intellectual property.
Atari acquires rights to first five Wizardry RPGsAtari has acquired the complete and exclusive rights to the first five games in the original Wizardry RPG series from the original rights holder. While Drecom retains the worldwide trademark and ownership of Wizardry 6, 7, and 8, Atari plans to expand distribution through remasters, collections, and new releases, as well as develop related media like card games, books, and TV projects.- Atari announces it has acquired rights to the first five Wizardry gamesAtari has announced its acquisition of the rights to the first five games in the classic Wizardry series. The company plans to re-release these titles through both digital and physical distribution channels.
- Atari Acquires WizardryAtari has acquired the exclusive rights to the Wizardry intellectual property, including the first five games in the classic role-playing series. This acquisition brings a highly influential and foundational RPG franchise under Atari's ownership.
- Atari Acquires Wizardry [Updated]Atari has acquired the intellectual property rights for the classic Role-Playing Game series Wizardry, specifically focusing on the first five titles. An update clarified that Atari's ownership pertains exclusively to the IP of these initial games.
Who owns the Wizardry RPGs? We do, say both Drecom and Atari as an unusual IP acquisition splits custody of the genre-forming seriesA dispute has arisen over the ownership of the Wizardry RPG intellectual property, with both Atari and Drecom claiming rights. Atari announced acquiring rights to the first five games for re-releases and remakes, while Drecom asserts they own the copyright and trademark for the entire series. Original rights holder Robert Woodhead is quoted in Atari's announcement.- Atari acquires rights to first five Wizardry gamesAtari has announced its acquisition of the intellectual property rights for the first five games in the classic Wizardry series. This move signifies Atari's intent to potentially revive or re-release these influential role-playing titles.
- Atari acquires Wizardry IPAtari has acquired the intellectual property rights for the first five Wizardry games. This acquisition includes the core Wizardry IP, expanding Atari's portfolio.
Spark in the Dark Early Access Review – Off to a Great StartSpark in the Dark is an Early Access dungeon crawler that blends survival horror tension and Soulslike combat. Players control one of four heroes navigating a dark, procedurally generated dungeon filled with traps and tough enemies. Despite clunky combat and a lack of enemy variety, the game offers a challenging and addictive experience with a minimalist approach to storytelling.
Review: Vampire Crawlers Adds Wizardry RPG Elements to Vampire SurvivorsVampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard, a spin-off from Vampire Survivors, successfully blends its predecessor's addictive gameplay with elements of classic first-person dungeon-crawlers like Wizardry and roguelike deckbuilding. Developed by Poncle and Nosebleed Interactive, the game features familiar characters and mechanics while introducing new strategic depth through card-based combat and dungeon exploration. It is set to release on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC on April 21, 2026.
Xbox co-creator says "it's just not true" gaming is on the decline despite layoff apocalypseFormer Xbox executive Ed Fries argues that the video game industry is not in decline, citing PC game growth and the increasing importance of global markets like China. Despite widespread layoffs and studio closures, Fries believes the industry has historically experienced cyclical swings and continues to show potential for significant growth.
Iconic Devs Say the Industry Feels 'Crashier' Now Than the Actual Video Game Crash of the 80sJohn and Brenda Romero, founders of Romero Games, believe the current state of the video game industry is more challenging than the 1983 crash. They cite difficulties in securing funding and widespread layoffs, even at successful studios like EA's Battlefield division, as evidence of the industry's instability.