How will Peak Games use its $100 million warchest, The Game Awards reveals its nominees, and how to launch a game in China
Peak Games selling its card and board game portfolio to Zynga for $100 million practically came out of nowhere, especially since it leaves Peak with essentially just two games to focus on.
The real question on everyone's lips, however, was how Peak would spend its newfound wealth - so much so that Jon Jordan's article exploring the developer's potential future went straight to number one on our Hot Five list.
Second up is the Games Award's reveal of the nominees for its end-of-year awards ceremony, with Super Mario Run and Fire Emblem Heroes receiving nods in the Best Mobile Game category.
China, Growtopia, and GameMaker
Third on the list is an article from Tappx China Country Manager Bob Wang, who stopped by to explain the process of how to launch a game in China.
And finally, Ubisoft has seen impressive growth from Growtopia and its portfolio of Ketchapp games, while GameMaker Studio 2 has introduced a $39 yearly subscription tier.
Click the link below to find out more about the stories that caught our reader's attention of the last week.
#5: GameMaker Studio 2 launches $39 Creator tier for novice developers
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GameMaker Studio 2 launches $39 Creator tier for novice developers »Always wanted to get to grips with GameMaker Studio 2 but haven't had the money to get the full deal, nor an interest in a cut-down experience in the free trial?
Well YoYo Games have got your back, with a new price tier that costs just $39 a year if you're willing to put up with a GameMaker splash screen at the start of your game.
Users will receive a 30% discount when upgrading to the standard Developer edition of the engine, to account for having already paid for the service.
The Creator edition only allows publishing to either Windows or MacOS – mobile developers will still need to buy the Mobile license, which currently costs $399 for a permanent license.
#4: Ubisoft's Ketchapp and Growtopia catalogue boost mobile DAUs by 234%
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Ubisoft's Ketchapp and Growtopia catalogue boost mobile DAUs by 234% »Ubisoft hasn't been talking too much about its mobile games of late - its just launched South Park: Phone Destroyer recently, and that's about it.
But its purchases in the past year have been proving quite fruitful, with Ketchapp and Growtopia seeing a combined growth in DAUs of 234%.
It also noted that there was an "outperformance" from both Ketchapp its game Might and Magic Heroes: Era of Chaos. The latter was developed and published exclusively in China in a partnership with Tencent.
#3: How to launch mobile games in China
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How to launch mobile games in China »China - it's a potentially huge market, but it's also nigh-on impossible to break into unless you're a local developer or you know the right people.
Even then there's no guarantee of success, but Bob Wang, China Country Manager at Tappx, has stepped in to offer some advice if you do decide to launch in the region.
"The State Administration of Press, Publications, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPFRT) is an organisation you’ll have to deal with to obtain approval for whatever game you’re planning to release in China - whether it be a cutesy platformer or a match-3 type puzzler, everyone’s game will have to go through a rigorous approval process, with appropriate documentation and permits needed," he begins.
"Every mobile gaming app launched in China must stick to the exact specifications as stated by SAPPFRT’s extensive approval requirements, and be entered for review twenty days prior to your game’s suggested release date."
#2: Super Mario Run and Fire Emblem Heroes receive Best Mobile Game nominations at The Game Awards 2017
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Super Mario Run and Fire Emblem Heroes receive Best Mobile Game nominations at The Game Awards 2017 »It's getting to the end of the year, which means it's time for everyone and their dog to start arguing about which games deserve to be ranked best of the year.
And for that kind of debate, it doesn't get much bigger than The Game Awards, which has its own Best Mobile Game award this time around.
Both of Nintendo's big hitters, Super Mario Run and Fire Emblem Heroes, are up for the award, alongside Old Man's Journey, Monument Valley 2, and Hidden Folks.
Bizarrely, Honor of Kings is up for Best Chinese Game despite launching two years ago - though with Tencent sponsoring the event, it may not be such a strange addition after all.
#1: How will Peak Games spend its new $100 million warchest?
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How will Peak Games spend its new $100 million warchest? »In a surprise move, Peak Games sold its card and board game portfolio to Zynga for the princely sum of $100 million.
That leaves the developer with essentially two games - Toon Blast and Toy Blast - which begs the question, what are they going to do with the money?
"Significantly, the North American market provides the vast majority of Peak’s revenue and it’s clear this is where it’s going to be investing its new warchest," writes Contributing Editor Jon Jordan.
"It expects to double its US audience over the next 12 months. It’s a bold plan, particularly because Peak isn’t the only match puzzle game developer making strong inroads into the US mobile market."