The Asia market has become the most lucrative and influential region in the global mobile games industry.
Companies in countries such as Japan, South Korea and China are highly successful at home and are increasingly expanding around the world through global game releases, international partnerships and M&A. These markets also offer lucrative opportunities for Western publishers.
To give you a deeper insight into this key region, each week we’re rounding up all the news from PocketGamer.biz and around the web. Don't forget to keep up with the news throughout the week on the Asia section of our site.
Got any news leads about the Asia market you'd like to share? Email PocketGamer.biz senior editor Craig Chapple at craig.chapple@steelmedia.co.uk.
You can gain more insights into the Asia markets on the East Meets West track at Pocket Gamer Connects Seattle, which takes place on May 13th to 14th. PGC will be heading to Hong Kong on July 17th to 18th. We're also hosting a free London-based 'East Meets West' mini-summit for the games industry on Wednesday, May 29th in association with Mintegral.
China mobile games revenue to surpass $25 billion by 2023
Despite a nine-month licensing freeze in 2018, China's domestic mobile game revenue grew 28.9 per cent year-on-year to $15.63 billion last year. Niko Partners predicts it will grow by a further $10 billion over the next few years.
Tencent shuts down PUBG Mobile in China
Tencent's two PUBG Mobile games were some of the most popular in the country, but it had thus far failed to get approval to monetise them. Now it's given up on that dream and has instead begun transferring players over to Game for Peace, its new battle royale title.
South Korea economy could lose over $9 billion once the WHO names gaming addiction a disease
The World Health Organisation's definition of gaming addiction as a disease could have a serious impact on South Korea's economy, with suggestions it could cost the country as much as $9 billion.
Four years on: Netmarble on how Marvel Future Fight has continued to assemble fans
Our regular Live and Kicking interview series, which looks at how successful mobile games are being managed over years, shines the spotlight on Netmarble's Marvel Future Fight.
Loot box design 2.0: Complying with China's new rules
China's regulations are changing, Yodo1 guides you through what's new and offers advice on how to implement free-to-play monetisation.
The Pokemon Company partners with DeNA for new mobile game
Following its partnership with Nintendo on various mobile titles including Fire Emblem Heroes and Super Mario Run, DeNA has now partnered with The Pokemon Company on a new Pokemon title for smartphones, set for release by March 2020.
US China trade war escalates as Trump raises tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese products
Trade tensions between the world's two largest economies have escalated, and should relations continue to deteriorate, could end up impacting on the US mobile market. Apple has already blamed declining sales on the trade war's negative impact on China's economy.
Chinese live-streaming platform DouYu halts US IPO
Speaking of trade tensions, Chinese live-streaming company DouYu is delaying its US IPO amidst the introduction of new tariffs on China imports by the Trump administration.
Apex Legends is pinging a mobile port
EA and Respawn's battle royale hit is on its way to both mobile and China in the near future.
MapleStory and Dungeon & Fighter shatter expectations to drive Nexon’s Q1 2019 results
Nexon has had a record Q1, with revenue breaking records to hit $849 million for the quarter.
DeNA games sales and profits fall in FY2018
Japanese developer and publisher DeNA's sales and profits both fell in the 2018 financial year. It'll be hoping new titles like Mario Kart Tour can help spur on growth in the coming year.
Weekly global mobile games charts: Roblox the top grosser on US App Store
Tencent's latest hit, the blockchain-based Pokemon Go-like Let's Hunt Monsters, was the second most downloaded game on the Chinese App Store and the fourth highest grossing title.
