Master Plan
Savvy Games Group's CEO on M&A, China and rising Eastern influence
We speak to Brian Ward about how it works with its growing empire, Scopely's freedom, and opportunities in growing sectors like UGC
Mobile Mavens
"This is a fundamental shift in the way that games are rated": The Mobile Mavens on PEGI's new rules
Our Mobile Mavens share their insights on PEGI's updated age rating criteria and what it means for the wider games industry
Update Insights
Developing Wuthering Waves: "Every addition requires months or longer to meet our quality standards"
The Kuro Games team talks narrative foundations, engagement, version 3.0 and beyond
Latest
Partnership Extension
Budge Studios continues Nickelodeon partnership with global launch of Dora: Explore and Play
The studio has surpassed two billion downloads across its portfolio of children’s entertainment apps
New Partnerships
Xsolla and CYGMA team up to grow Cyprus’ game development sector
The deal gives local studios access to global monetisation infrastructure and publishing support
Layoff News
Epic Games cuts 1,000 jobs as Fortnite slowdown forces major reset
“Since it's a thing now, I should note that the layoffs aren't related to AI," said Epic CEO Tim Sweeney.
New Offerings
Teebik to launch Rome: Total War and Medieval II on mobile in China
The move signals a continued push to bring premium strategy titles into tightly controlled mobile markets
Closure
OpenAI shuts down Sora video-generation app less than two years after launch
The company is redirecting resources toward robotics and autonomous AI systems with real-world applications
Acqusitions
Reforged Studios acquires Headup to expand global publishing footprint
Headup will continue operating independently while gaining access to Reforged’s international infrastructure and support network
Editor's Picks
Industry Insights
What our data reveals about ad quality and player churn in mobile games
Ivona Pinjak analyses player churn across ad networks, formats and platforms using Unity's AdQuality tool
Us Best Of 2026
The Top 30 US Mobile Game Makers of 2026
The US movers and shakers of the last 12 months revealed!
Industry Decline
TIGA clamours for government support as UK game dev jobs fall at record rate and startup activity collapses
CEO Richard Wilson calls for better tax incentives and support initiatives to compete on the global stage
Opinion
The issue is not a lack of talent or ambition. It is a restriction of opportunity.
Dr Marie-Claire Isaaman on issues around talent retention.
Google’s new fee structure should give developers more flexibility in how they monetise and engage players
Joanne Lacey on Google's changes to the Play Store.
#Pocket Gamer Connects
Pgc Summit Shanghai
Start your ChinaJoy trip at Pocket Gamer Connects Summit Shanghai 2026
Focused summit connecting the world’s game sectors from East to West on July 29th
Pgc Summit MalmÖ
Gain visibility and do games business in southern Sweden at PGC Summit Malmö on May 27th to 28th
PG Connects Summit Malmö connects indies with publishers, investors and co-creators
Pgc Barcelona 2026
Speakers from Zynga, Rovio and Layer AI set for Pocket Gamer Connects Barcelona 2026
First speakers among 100+ revealed for returning games industry event on June 15th-16th
Pgc Summit Shanghai
How Pocket Gamer Connects Summit Shanghai is your gateway to the world’s largest games market
Games industry summit returns on July 29th to connect East and West
Industry Voices
Aurora Awards Uk
"True innovation can only come from a group with different perspectives and experiences"
Sumo Digital's Catherine Bygrave on the crucial role of women in managing current industry challenges
Week In Views
ByteDance's Moonton acquisition, Fortnite's Google Play comeback and a $2bn milestone for Farm Heroes Saga | Week in Views
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
Squeezed Margins
Matthew Ball interview: Can new stores and D2C turn the tide on high UA costs?
A look at mobile gaming's discovery challenges and the pressure on profit margins as marketing and ad exchange expenses soar
Mobile Mavens
“A tale of two halves”: The Mobile Mavens weigh in on GDC 2026
From smaller attendance to a greater focus on meetings and side events, our Mobile Mavens discuss GDC 2026
Candy Campaign
How a Candy Crush video series triggered an "incredibly valuable" feedback loop
Fans give constructive feedback off the back of behind-the-scenes series Crush & Tell
#MENA
Acquisitions
ByteDance to sell Moonton to Savvy Games Group in $6bn deal
The move marks another major expansion for Savvy Games Group
Marvellous Mena
"Cultural relevance matters, but so does international production quality"
Dawn of Game’s co-founder Gilbert Ewangue talks self-funded development, community growth and building Kwat Fou
Strategic Move
Saudi Arabia acquires a fresh 5.03% stake in Capcom through EGDC
The investment is positioned as a financial play targeting capital gains and dividends
Monetisation In Africa
Africa’s monetisation debate: founders weigh in on mobile, PC, and the realities of game revenue
Several founders warn that treating Africa as a single gaming market ignores the continent’s diverse economic and payment realities
Deals, Mergers & Acquisitions
New Partnerships
Supercell partners with Taika Waititi to launch new character in Brawl Stars
The collaboration signals a shift from traditional marketing toward story-driven promotion for live service games.
New Offerings
Epic Games opens Star Wars tools to creators as branded content push expands inside Fortnite
The release represents one of the largest IP integrations on the platform to date
Developing Next-gen Mobile Titles
Supercent and Sumo Digital sign strategic MOU to co-develop next-generation mobile titles
The MOU brings Supercent’s mobile-first innovation and data-driven publishing ecosystem together with Sumo Digital’s deep development expertise and cross-platform capabilities
Funding News
Afrime Studios enters seed round after raising $400,000 to build afrofuturistic RPG Unyverse
The studio is targeting an estimated 670m gamers of African descent globally
Acqusitions
Nazara to acquire a 50% controlling stake in Bluetile and BestPlay in $100m deal
The company has an option to acquire the remaining stake by 2028
New Partnerships
Krafton signs strategic alliance with Hanwha Aerospace to develop real-world AI systems
The company will back a $1bn fund targeting AI, robotics and defence startups
M&a
Smartly signs letter of intent to acquire measurement platform Incrmntal
Terms of the deal were not disclosed
Jobs News
New Offerings
Values Value and InGame Job launch 10th annual survey tracking global games industry employment
Study draws on thousands of developers to map labour market trends worldwide
Jobs News
Ubisoft names Julien Bares as GM of mobile and casual-focused Creative House 5
Former Tencent Games and 2K veteran will head up division home to Ketchapp, Kolibri and others
Jobs Roundup
March 2026's Movers and Shakers: Pokémon’s product marketing manager, multiple King promotions, founding Rocket Game Talent, and more
Our regular roundup of the mobile games industry's movers and shakers
New Offerings
Former PlayStation and Xbox hiring lead launches Rocket Game Talent
New boutique firm aims to help studios scale hiring operations
Job News
Beyond The Pixels strengthens leadership ahead of its debut title Astro Burn
Former Fnatic and GIANTX CEO Wouter Sleijffers joins the studio as chief operating officer
#Regulation
Apple Troubles
German publishers urge antitrust fine against Apple ATT
Industry groups say Apple’s proposed ATT changes fail to resolve competition concerns
Security Review
Report: Trump administration reviews Tencent gaming investments over security concerns
Officials are assessing whether the company’s investments pose potential national security risks.
Child Safety
UK consultation on kids’ online lives: what the video games industry needs to know
Celia Pontin explains the UK government’s consultation on keeping children safe online
Week In Views
Games industry regulation tightens and transmedia insights with the Umamusume: Pretty Derby movie director | Week in Views
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
More News
Epic Troubles
Epic Games to retire three Fortnite modes after failing to attract and retain players
Rocket Racing, Ballistic, and Festival Battle Stage are being shut down
Mighty Milestone
Appcharge surpasses $1bn in D2C transactions
Transaction volume on the platform has more than doubled in six months following its $58m Series B funding round
Duolingo Design
Duolingo experiments with tool to lock other apps until daily lessons are complete
The new tool links access to social media directly to learning progress, turning education into a gatekeeper for screen time
Industry Outlook
Australia’s game development industry generated $425m in revenue during FY25
Nearly half of Australian studios have been operating for more than six years, pointing to a more durable industry base
New Offerings
Minecraft World to open at Chessington theme park in 2027 with $67m investment
The project marks Minecraft’s largest step yet into location-based entertainment
New Offerings
Ex-Supercell devs at Bit Odd soft launch debut game after $18m raise
The Canada launch is intended to generate early player feedback before a broader global rollout
New Offerings
Roblox to take cut of in-game brand deals from 2027 under new advertising rules
The company is restructuring its ad ecosystem to position Roblox as a full-scale media and commerce channel, not just a games platform
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Podcasts
Podcast | Episode 86
The final word on GDC | Week in Mobile Games podcast
The PocketGamer.biz podcast team give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and what's inside this week's episode 86...
Podcast | Episode 85
The future of Xbox and Pokémon's 30th anniversary | Week in Mobile Games podcast
The PocketGamer.biz podcast team give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and what's inside this week's episode 85...
Podcast | Episode 84
Scopely's $1bn Loom Games deal and Matthew Ball's State of Video Games report | Week in Mobile Games podcast
The PocketGamer.biz podcast team give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and what's inside this week's episode 84...
Podcast | Episode 83
Supercell faces Clash Royale controversy and banks on innovation | Week in Mobile Games podcast
The PocketGamer.biz podcast team give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and what's inside this week's episode 83...