Rumours
Is there a new Nintendo console on the way?
Documents provided to the CMA sparked rumours of potential new handheld or console from the company
Industry Insight
Seven ways mobile games can make the most of direct–to-consumer strategies
Xsolla's Chris Hewish explains how mobile studios can make the most of the direct-to-consumer strategies used by major publishers
Insights
Flexion's Jens Lauritzson on why you should consider alternative app stores
Alternative app store publishing has been a winning model for companies such as Flexion and their partners
Podcast
Unravelling the alchemy of user acquisition | Podcast
Trailmix’s Philippa Layburn reveals the routes to winning user acquisition strategies and creatives
Views Week
Week in Views - What caught our editorial eyes in the last seven days
The Pocketgamer.biz team take their pick of this weeks big news to talk AI in games, games going global and the return of much-loved franchises
Chinese Gaming Industry
China’s games sales fell 10.33% in 2022
China Audiovisual and Digital Publishing Association has revealed the sector’s struggles
Ncsoft Financials
Mobile games generated 75% of NCSoft sales revenue in 2022
The company’s latest financials showcase the strength of its mobile offerings
Global Games Growth
NetEase Games Global Developer Network Benefits Studios and Gamers
Games giant offering freedom, autonomy and resources to games studios who join partner programme
Chinese Restrictions
China moves to increase restrictions on young gamers
The country’s semi-official industry association has called for stronger limits, despite claiming to have fixed the issue of video game addiction
Chinese Mobile Market
China approves 87 new game licenses
Tencent, NetEase, and Alibaba are among the game makers to receive new game approvals
Podcast
The art of a successful game launch | Podcast
Keywords Studios, Helpshift, KantanAI and Backtrace join the PG.biz podcast team to explore what it takes to ensure a successful game launch in 2023
New Studio
NetEase opens new Western studio Spliced Inc
Spliced Inc is the latest in a wave of international studios for the company
Build Better Battlers
Get 55 percent revenue share in the Crazy Trends Challenge by CrazyLabs
Test your battle games, pass the benchmark and win great prizes!
We Want Eu
Levelling up: decoding the future of mobile gaming across Europe
What does 2023 hold for the mobile games market? SHAREit's Arunabh Madhur considers the ongoing evolution of the European audience - and the opportunities opening up
Netease X Blizzard
NetEase to disband Shanghai team following breakup with Blizzard
A skeleton crew will deal with logistical issues in the short term
Beijing’s Golden Ticket
China takes steps to tighten grip on tech by acquiring 'golden shares' in Tencent and Alibaba
By taking shares in the companies, Beijing can help guide future development
A New Partnership
Blizzard reportedly enters final stage of negotiations with its new Chinese partner
The company ended its partnership with NetEase in 2022
Sustainability Gaming
NetEase included in 2022’s Dow Jones sustainability indeces
The company's commitment to sustainability has been recognized by leading ESG ratings agencies
New Acquisition
NetEase acquires Halo Infinite co-developer Skybox Labs
NetEase is continuing its expansion beyond mobile platforms
China Gaming Market
NetEase and Tencent to resurrect discontinued games
Can't make new games? Try some old ones. The Chinese giants are rereleasing a slate of lapsed IPs in the wake of the licensing slowdown
Trouble For Mages?
MAGES chairman and director steps down following $4.7 million loss
Chiyomaru Shikura will take an executive producer role within the company
Are Tencent’s Troubles Over?
Tencent predicted to bounce back in 2023
2022 was a turbulent year for the tech giant, but analysts forecast that Tencent will rebound
Game Closure
Bravely Default: Brilliant Lights to shut down in February
The Square Enix spin-off launched in January 2022
2022 Highlights
BIG Stories of 2022 - The rise and fall of China’s mobile market
The world’s biggest mobile-first market saw a tumultuous year
Zombie Defence Success
How to turn a hypercasual game concept into an IAP-driven Hybridcasual
The latest article in Homa's Hybridcasual Insight series explores how to evolve a hypercasual game
into a hybridcasual using Zombie Defense as a case study
Pumped Up Kicks
Step into the metaverse in your new sneakers from Scottie Pippen and Orange Comet
Basketball legend Scottie Pippen has teamed up with NFT blockchain blockbuster Orange Comet to launch his own range of sneakers for the metaverse
Sea Market
FIFA Mobile enjoyed a 92% increase in downloads in South East Asia
The latest November numbers are in and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang led the way in terms of both downloads and revenue
Voodoo Style
Voodoo launches casual and midcore games publishing
Sign up now to find out more about the publishing giant's plans for the future of hybridcasual publishing - and submit your game now
Riot Vs Netease
Riot aims at NetEase in latest copyright infringement claim
The suit points out similarities between Valorant and NetEase title Hyper Front
Hypercasual How To
How To Come Up With a Hit Game Idea for 2023
CrazyLabs offers insight into game ideation and inspiration for developers looking for their own hypercasual hit
Fewer Games Greater Revenue
Fewer games but greater revenue - the reality of the global mobile games market
data.ai and Deconstructor of Fun break down the reality of the global games market - from releases to revenue in 2022
Billions And Beyond
$1.5 billion revenue and 1.1 billion downloads weekly - how healthy is the mobile games market?
The new data.ai and Deconstructor of Fun report reveals the reality of the global mobile games market in 2022
Gaming Post-covid
China rolls back zero-covid policy, but what does this mean for mobile gaming?
The easing of lockdown restrictions could signal a sharp decine for the country's mobile market
Shuttering
Witcher: Monster Slayer to shut-down and developer Spokko to shutter
The Witcher: Monster Slayer, will be shut down early next year alongside its developer Spokko, whose talent will be folded into CDPR
Riyadh Recap
Last week's Leaders Summit demonstrated the huge potential of the $6.8bn MENA market
Saudi Arabia hosted a new type of event from the Pocket Gamer team which united games companies from around the world – here’s what you missed
Censorship In Games
China blamed for Goddess of Victory: Nikke censorship, despite being unavailable in China
Upcoming graphics content differs from a previously leaked beta, leading to claims that the game is being censored to appease Chinese regulators
Pgc Jordan
The art of adaptation. Game localisation gets taken to the next level at Babil Games
Diala Deeb of Babil Games talks to us about fine-tuning games to better become the perfect fit for new audiences and cultures
Best Of Mena 2022
The Top 30 MENA Game Makers of 2022
Our first ever list celebrating the best developers and publishers in the Middle East and North Africa region
Cross Worlds Celebration
Celebrations and content galore as Netmarble’s Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds reaches 200 days
200 days on from Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds’ global launch
Milestones
Yu-Gi-Oh! MASTER DUEL passes 50m downloads milestone, announces new tournament
The app version of the popular card game has racked up 50m downloads in just nine months, followed by an announcement of a new influencer-run tournament
Lifeafter Season 5
LifeAfter Season 5: Power of Mutation to launch on December 2
The new season includes music composed by Akira Yamaoka
Pakistan’s Gaming Market
Pakistan halts overseas payments for mobile gaming
Telecommunication companies reportedly fell foul of the country’s regulations
Tencent On Trial
Tencent to stand trial in copyright infringement suit tomorrow
The company has been accused of infringing on the rights of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang by Moonton
Market Analysis
Digital future to be led by Mexico, Slovakia and Saudi Arabia, as China set to feel brunt of global slump
A breakdown of growing digital markets sees China slump, and a shift in the top three growing markets, which affects mobile gaming
Anniversaries
Netmarble marks Seven Knights 2’s first anniversary with more special events
The Seven Knights 2 celebrations are being extended with in-game events and log-in bonuses for players
Devsisters Financials
Cookie Run: Ovenbreak grabs 45 million users in Korea
Though developer Devsisters saw declining revenue in Q3 as the market continues to normalise
Sign Up Now
What impact could in-game advertising have on your studio?
Sign up now for a free webinar exploring the impact of in-game ads, featuring strategies and practical tips from industry experts including Anzu, Unity and Wildlife Studios
Chinese Market
Microsoft and Sony attempt to woo China's mobile devs with new investments
Mobile is king of China’s games space, but Microsoft and Sony are seeking to hoover up games and talent
Creativity And Hospitality
Games from Spain shine at Gamescom Asia and fabulous networking dinner
The best of Spanish games and cuisine were both on display
Netmarble Financials
Netmarble celebrates 14.4% year-on-year increase in revenue
The company generated $511 million in revenue in Q3