Avakin Life On Steam
Avakin Life officially launches on Steam after 200m registered users on mobile
The pioneering social simulator hits Steam after generating 500 million downloads
Company Profile
Lockwood Publishing
Website
www.lockwoodpublishing.com/
About
Based in Nottingham, Lockwood is a highly successful online publishing studio specialising in social games, virtual worlds and desirable virtual items. We have assembled a world class team with an unblemished track record for creativity, innovation and delivery of high quality content.
Related People
Jon Goddard
Senior Director of Corporate Brand and Communications
Halli Bjornsson
CEO
Filipe Duarte Pina
Producer
Oliver Kern
Chief Commercial Officer
Bruce Heather
Studio Head, Brighton
Ivee Feria-Padua
Product Director
Oliver Kern
Chief Commercial Officer
+4 more
Accolades
Articles featuring Lockwood Publishing
500 Million Lifetime Downloads
Avakin Life surpasses 500 million downloads, cementing 12-year legacy as a global powerhouse
Lockwood Publishing's Avakin Life surpasses 500 million lifetime downloads, as the platform celebrates 12 years of continuous growth
Avakin Life Hits Steam
After 200 million mobile users, Avakin Life is heading to Steam
"The Steam release gives us the opportunity to view and expand the experience in new ways. It’s an exciting milestone for us, and we want to thank our amazing community"
Uk Best Of 2025
The Top 50 UK Game Makers of 2025
The UK movers and shakers of the last 12 months revealed!
Jobs Roundup
May 2025’s Movers and Shakers: New King president, Scopely appoints CBO, Roblox exec exits, and more
Our regular roundup of the mobile games industry's movers and shakers
Earth Day
PlanetPlay launches Earth Day 2025 campaign with Sybo, Niantic, Sir Ian Livingstone and others
Livingstone and other celebrity ambassadors have been confirmed ahead of the 55th Earth Day on April 22nd
Q&a
Halli Bjornsson on a decade of Avakin Life and what comes next for Lockwood Publishing
We discuss the very beginnings of Lockwood and the creation of Avakin Life in addition to changes in the gaming industry
Partnership
PlanetPlay and Lockwood Publishing collaborate for an eco-friendly metaverse
The partnership aims to inspire climate conscious behaviour in Avakin Life players
Region Insight
Capital, knowledge, originality: Samer Abbas on how the MENA market will grow
“If I say ‘an Arabic game’ now, what does that mean? Maybe in five to seven years, we will have an answer to this question.”
Hot Five
Hot Five: September 12th. The five stories you need to know before you start your working week
The biggest stories on PocketGamer.biz in the last week
Lockwood Layoffs
Lockwood announces mass layoffs
This follows the layoffs of staff members last year which have been called unlawful
Expanding Studios
Lockwood opens new office in Cambridge Science Park and expands key development hub
Lisbon studio is also expanding
#breakthebias
Avakin Life launches #BreakTheBias in support of International Women's Day
All profits to be donated to Womankind Worldwide
Appointment Announced
Lockwood Publishing appoints Jon Goddard to senior management team
Prior roles at EA, Jagex, and more
Triumvirate Hires
Lockwood Publishing expands leadership with three strategic hires
Brings on industry veterans James Cox, Rob Hendry, and Chris Tilston
Redundancies And Redeployment
Lockwood Publishing makes 10% of staff redundant
Accused of unlawful redundancies by IWGB union
Finding Your Roots
Snip. Snip. Snip. But how long should a digital haircut actually take?
Lockwood's Filipe Duarte Pina talks more than short back and sides
Best Of 2021
The Top 50 Mobile Game Makers of 2021
The movers, the shakers, and all those funky moneymakers
Hiring Now
10 games industry jobs to apply for this week
Job vacancies from Jam City, Rovio, Gameloft and Glu Mobile
Money Money Money
Lockwood Publishing secures $25 million in Series A funding round
The investment was led by Tencent
Boogie Down
PGC Helsinki Digital: Things to consider when running music events in your game
Lockwood Publishing CCO Oliver Kern shares some examples
Best Of 2020
The Top 50 Mobile Game Makers of 2020
Revealed: The movers, shakers, and moneymakers
Just Dance
Lockwood Publishing partners with World of Dance for Avakin Life content
"We believe in empowering users and pushing the limits of their self-expression"
Mental Health
The majority of gamers believe playing games is good for mental health
"Gaming has the power to provide a rich experience that embraces diversity and limitless self-expression"
Pgc Digital
PGC Digital: Lockwood Publishing on promoting growth even during lockdown
The Lisbon team worked together for three days before lockdown
Virtual World
Avakin Life welcomes 200 million users
Currently sees 1.4 million players daily
#avankinsforaustralia
Update: Lockwood Publishing raises $20,000 via Avakin Life to help aid Australia bushfires
All profits go to WIRES, a New South Wales charity
Staffing Up
Lockwood Publishing expands into Lisbon with new office
Applications are now open for those interested in joining
Eating Too Much
Oliver Kern from Lockwood Publishing on the dangers of all-you-can-eat subscription models
"It's not a great model for developers"
Supporting The Best
Amber, Lockwood, Recontact, and Rogue confirmed as Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards category sponsors
The third edition of swanky annual industry event returns on January 21st evening
Best Of 2019
The Top 50 Mobile Game Makers of 2019
Revealed: The movers, shakers and moneymakers!
Investment News
Avakin Life developer Lockwood Publishing raises fresh round of funding
Sumo Digital studio director Karl Hilton joins as head of studios
Good Cause
Supercell, Rovio, Outfit7 and more back One Special Day charity fundraiser
Takes place on September 28th
Publish
Speaker spotlight: Oliver Kern, Lockwood Publishing
At Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki on September 11-12, Oliver Kern will be part of a panel discussion about the gold standard for Live Ops
Moving Day
Avakin life developer Lockwood Publishing opens first international office in Lithuania
New Vinius office to comprise of up to 15 backend developers
New Studio
Avakin life developer Lockwood Publishing opens new studio in Newcastle
The new office will be headed up by Ubisoft alumni Joe Stevens
All Aboard
Unity co-founder David Helgason joins Lockwood Publishing board
Avakin Life developer opens Leamington Spa studio
Get Hired
How to get a job at Avakin Life developer Lockwood Publishing
CEO Halli Bjornsson shares insights
Branching Out
Lockwood Publishing opens VR and AI-focused studio in Brighton
Ex-EA Tech Director Bruce Heather to lead the studio