Welcome to PocketGamer.biz's weekly rundown of the stories clocking up the hits, picking up the click-throughs and generally keeping the advertisers happy by serving up page views.
Or, if you'd prefer, the top five stories currently dominating our readers' attention.
Each week, we'll be counting down the biggest news from the previous seven days, giving just a glimpse of the industry's big issues, from five to one.
App Store issue causing newly updated apps to crash on launch
Compared to the many ills of Android app distribution, it's not often that Apple's App Store is fingered for doing something bad.
That was the situation last week, however, with Instapaper creator Marco Armen causing a stir by pointing out that over a hundred apps downloaded from the App Store - including Angry Birds Space Free - were crashing because of something Apple had add to the binaries.
It later transpired the problem was additional DRM code; something now fixed.
Read the full story here
DeNA's Rage of Bahamut estimated to be grossing $2.6 million a month
Japanese social network DeNA isn't making as much noise in the west as rival GREE at the moment, certainly in terms of signing up publishers. Instead it seems to taking a different approach - bringing Japanese games to success in the west.
That's the deal with Cygames' Rage of Bahamut, which is making plenty of cash in Japan and now in the west, both on iOS and Android.
Indeed, Tokyo-based gaming consultant Serkan Toto reckons it could be making as much as $2.6 million in monthly revenue.
Read the full story here
Opinion: CSR Racing's success demonstrates sophisticated monetisation but where's the gameplay?There's no doubt the Boss Alien-developed and NaturalMotion-published CSR Racing has been a massive commercial success. It's been stuck to the #1 top grossing spot in the US charts since launch.
However, does this mean it's an enjoyable experience? After all, it's a racing game where all you have to do is tap on the screen.
It's an issue Jon pondered, especially in terms of its duel approach of charging for progression (upgrades) and game sessions (petrol).Read the full story here
Lady Shotgun's Anna Marsh argues that 'great games are like great sex'
With such a headline, this guest column could have gone one of two ways.
Thankfully, Anna Marsh, of co-operative of freelance game developers Lady Shotgun, was using the headline to make a wider point. Game designers need to think about issues such as trust, communication and rhythm.
"Game design is like sex: it's right when it feels good," she said. "Give them a thoroughly satisfying, feel good time, and they'll be back begging you for more."
Read the full story here
Opinion: Is Nexus 7 a game changer? Yes, but for Google Play
Mine's on order, but Keith was thinking about more than just the hardware in his opinion piece on Google/Asus' signature $199 Nexus 7 tablet.
Comparisons are obviously pointed towards Amazon's similarly-sized Kindle Fire than iPad (even a 7-inch iPad), but Keith's argument was that Google's need is to bolster its vertical play as an integrated provider of OS, hardware and content - apps, games, movies, TV, music etc - services to consumers.
That's how Apple and now Amazon have been successful in the hardware market.
But this is more than a single device play, hence his conclusion: "If people are expecting Nexus 7 to single handily turn the tide for Android tablets, then I fear they'll be disappointed."
Read the full story here
Hot Five
Contributing Editor
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon is Contributing Editor at PG.biz which means he acts like a slightly confused uncle who's forgotten where he's left his glasses. As well as letters and cameras, he likes imaginary numbers and legumes.
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