Age Of Mobile
How TiMi Studio and World's Edge are adapting Age of Empires for mobile
PocketGamer.biz speaks to TiMi Studio Group GM Brayden Fan and producer Robin Xin about the strategy game's development
Mena Games Awards
Don't miss the MENA Games Industry Awards 2024 - Nominations close THIS WEEKEND
Be part of the premier awards celebrating the developers, publishers, investors, and legends who are driving MENA's growing games market
Indie Game Devs
Japan launches So-Fu accelerator to support indie game developers
The program will provide indie devs with mentorships, create business connections in the industry and even cover expenses.
Iteration Inspiration
Report: Tencent's top studios developing Palworld-like mobile games
TiMi and Lightspeed studios are reportedly developing mobile games inspired by Palworld
Team Tencent
Tencent "focusing on fewer bigger budget games" as it shifts away from IP strategy
Publishing giant moves Assassin's Creed Jade team to DreamStar as part of new focus on internal products and fewer big franchise bets
Vision 2030
Savvy Games Group unveils strategic vision in new leadership video
CEO Brian Ward says, “Savvy Games Group is on a fast track to be one of the leading players in games and entertainment anywhere in the world."
Ramadan Kareem
Ramadan festivities unfold across mobile with a host of new content and events
We've compiled a selection of the most innovative and captivating in-game events and promotions
Mergers & Acquisitions
Nazara Technologies commits $100 million to expand globally through M&A deals
“We are particularly focused on investing in and acquiring gaming studios globally..." said CEO Nitish Mittersain
Destination Dubai
Discover Dubai's metropolitan marvels at the Dubai GameExpo Summit
Discover Dubai's marvels and plan your ultimate adventure in this forward-thinking metropolis for the upcoming GameExpo Summit
Web3 Gaming
Animoca Brands and KACST to launch Web3 Hub in Saudi Arabia
The partnership and the Web3 Hub will include collaborative research in Web3, blockchain, gaming, AI, and the metaverse
India-themed Gaming
Krafton opens pre-registration for India exclusive Garuda Saga
Eager to appease local regulators, equipped with a bow and arrow, Garuda must vanquish enemies and perfect his skills and powers to succeed
Job News
'Older' executives at Alibaba's Lingxi Games to step aside
Alibaba has prioritised promoting people born after 1985 to its key management positions
Job News
SuperGears Games appoints Frank Sagnier as chairman of its advisory board
Sagnier will support SuperGears in realising its future plans in the racing genre
Mena Market
India on track to become a leading gaming hub as esports players hit 2.5m in 2024
The number of smartphone users in India remains a driving factor of its overall gaming industry growth
Netease Nets A Win
Eggy Party helps drive NetEase games revenue up 9.4% to $11.5 billion in 2023
NetEase generated $11.5 billion from video games in 2023
Eggcelent
NetEase’s Eggy Party reaches 500 million players in under two years
The party game surpassed 40 million daily active players during the Lunar New Year
New Payment Gateway
Carry1st partners with Electronic Arts to expand FC Mobile growth in Africa
The publisher is also offering players limited-time bonuses on FC Points and Silver through the Carry1st Shop until March 17
Mena Market
Honor of Kings makes MENA debut ahead of Esports World Cup
The popular MOBA game will make its way to MENA for the first time since its 2015 launch
Mena Market
GameCentric secures $1.5 million angel investment to fuel growth in MENA
The gaming platform aims to add more features to extend its footprint beyond the GCC & MENA region
Gaming In Africa
Disney taps Maliyo Games to develop Iwájú mobile game
”This is what we are all about: making African-inspired content," said Maliyo Games CEO and founder Hugo Obi
Financials
Sega Sammy's entertainment profits slide by 52.5% Y/Y despite Rovio sales boost
Angry Birds developer had its worst quarter for game sales in three years following Sega acquisition
Quality Assurance
Square Enix commits to improving game quality following failures
A new system is set to be unveiled in spring, with various sources from the conference call indicating its implementation in April.
App Stores
Digital Turbine invests $10 million into Korean app marketplace ONE Store
Companies partner in South Korea, with plans to expand globally in the near future
Gaming Growth
MENA-3 games market grows 7.8% to $1.92 billion in 2023
The total number of gamers reached 68.4 million in 2023, indicating a 2.9% year-over-year rise, with that number expected to reach 79.6 million by 2027
Esports Growth
PUBG Mobile Global Open all set for $500,000 showdown in Brazil
Ticket sales for the event will open on February 16 with one lucky winner taking home a bumper prize pot
Mobile Adaptations
Elden Ring free-to-play mobile game reportedly in the works from Tencent
Rumours come after Tencent Holdings acquired a 16 percent stake of FromSoftware in August 2022 but progress has been slow
A Major Update
Honkai: Star Rail hits 100m downloads and launches V2.0 today
The update will see the highly-anticipated Penacony realm make its debut with Apple Vision Pro compatibility on board too
Wake Up Call
ByteDance CEO warns employees against mediocrity amid AI disruption
CEO Liang Rubo made the statement during a call to ByteDance employees across the globe.
Gaming Trends
China at the forefront of mobile gaming as global market hits $85.76 billion
China's gaming dominance is bolstered by Tencent Games, a revenue powerhouse contributing 100 billion yuan ($14.13 billion)
Tencent cans Nier mobile game after two years in development
Publisher reportedly concerned about monetisation model and small margins from licensing fees
Strategic Boost
8SEC secures €1.5 Million investment from Kwalee
The move will see Kwalee’s CFO Matthew Farrow and VP of mobile publishing John Wright join the 8SEC board
China Regulations
China greenlights 115 games in January, largest batch in 18 months
Tencent, Lilith Games and others have had their titles approved this month
Gaming In Africa
Sony Innovation Fund backs Carry1st with strategic investment
The African gaming industry boasts over 200 million players and is projected to achieve a market size exceeding $1 billion in 2024
Strategic Growth
Krafton plans AI, India focus, and a 20-game lineup in 2024 roadmap
The publisher is getting set to launch two games this year with many more in development
Strategic Adjustment
Mobile-exclusive MMO Avatar: Reckoning scrapped
Archosaur Games is now providing refunds to players who participated in the Philippines-limited CBT
Hello Goodbye
Launched and shuttered in a single Tweet… Love Live! School Idol Festival 2 lives! And dies…
The Love Live! sequel gets its English translation and a global launch just as it's makers decide to pull the plug on the whole thing
Esports Growth
True Gamers secures $45m investment for esports expansion in Saudi Arabia
True Gamers CEO says it's, "A significant step towards popularising cybersports" and democratising esports in the KSA.
Pubg Revamp
Krafton plans franchise expansion and graphic improvements for PUBG
The publisher intends to expand its IP by introducing a new range of genres, platforms, play modes and graphic enhancements
Financials
Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal drives record $86 billion in games industry deals in 2023
“We predict M&A activity to steadily increase again in 2024”
China Regulations
Stock prices jump as China backtracks on gaming restrictions
Stock values of major Chinese gaming firms such as Tencent and NetEase recover as deadlines pass and China's gaming clampdown evaporates - for now
Empowering Gamers
Rize.gg wraps up pre-seed round, raises $430,000 to train and empower gamers
The company intends to allocate these funds to advance the platform's development and broaden its user base
Fitness & Gaming
Talofa Games secures $6.3 Million to build fitness-focused games
The team will use its newly secured funding to engineer and develop Run Legends as well as create new titles
Hyper-casual Growth
On Off Games lands $1.5M investment from Mobavenue in Singapore
The newly secured investment will help the company grow, develop new hypercasual titles and reach new players
A Strong Start
Pine Games secures $2.25M for mobile game development in Istanbul
The team currently has four staff and plans to grow that number to 15 for the creation of IP-based mobile games
Enhanced Player Safety
NetEase Games introduces regulation appeasing ‘Minor Mode' across all products
The move could indicate that the company expects rapid and random Chinese legislation to continue
Strategic Comeback
Activision Blizzard kiss and make up with NetEase ahead of China return
The move will see the return of Blizzard titles such as World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, Warcraft III: Reforged and Overwatch to the Chinese market
Projected Surge
East Asia gaming markets target $30.8 billion mark by 2027
The study from Niko Partners shows that Japan contributes over 60% of the total games revenue in the region and has the most gamers
Antitrust Heat
Antitrust regulator hits Nexon Korea with record fine for deceptive practices
Meanwhile the company hits back, challenging the regulator's decision, claiming that its explanation has not been fully acknowledged
Aiming High
Fahy Studios charts ambitious course to reshape Saudi Arabia's games scene
The company's founders discuss their Kwalee partnership, upcoming projects and their plans to leverage the KSA's gaming landscape
Tumble Guys
Tencent and NetEase lose $80 billion in market value as China cracks down on game monetisation tactics
New rules prohibit daily login rewards, first-time purchase bonuses and rewards for repeat spend