Hot Five: Uma Musume: Pretty Derby’s overseas victory, Destiny: Rising’s mobile launch, and India's games companies hit by real-money ban

To help get you primed and ready for another week in mobile gaming, we’ve curated the biggest stories you need to know from the last seven days.

1) Uma Musume: Pretty Derby picks up 57% of mobile revenue outside Japan in two months since global launch

Uma Musume: Pretty Derby has generated 57% of its mobile revenue outside of Japan in two months since its global launch on June 26th, 2025.

According to AppMagic estimates, Cygames’ horse girl racer has earned $46.8 million overseas and $35.4m in Japan since the rollout. The US has led overseas spending at $31m over two months with the title.

2) NetEase Games launches Destiny: Rising globally on iOS and Android

NetEase Games' sci-fi shooter Destiny: Rising has launched globally on mobile devices after surpassing 10m pre-registrations.

Set in an alternate timeline, Destiny: Rising has been developed and published by NetEase Games under a licence from Bungie, and sees players venture into the Red Sea Rift.

3) Saudi Arabia’s games market projected to reach $1.64bn by 2028

Saudi Arabia’s games market generated almost $1.2 billion in 2024, with an 8% CAGR on console, 7% on mobile and 4% on PC.

Savvy Games Group's 2024 annual report, based on market data from Niko Partners, suggested that the country’s games market will reach over $1.6bn by 2028.

4) Finnish games industry's revenue and profit declines in 2024 despite Supercell boon

Profit and revenue declined in Finland’s games industry during 2024, according to a new report from trade association Neogames.

Estimated operating results totalled approximately €800m ($931.5m) in 2023, but fell to €400m ($465.8m) in 2024.

5) India's games companies scramble as real-money ban wipes billions off market

India’s games industry is facing upheaval following the announcement and progress of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025.

After being suggested on August 20th as a measure to ban real-money games, the bill received presidential assent by August 22nd and has already come into play, damaging many of India’s top games companies.