Roblox Rollout
Roblox pauses rollout of a controversial new user generated content policy
Moves to mandate a pop-up when users purchased items from other experiences have been put on hold
Making Myths
Spectarium raises €5M in Seed Round to bolster personalised AI RPG Myths
Each player will have a unique experience by leveraging AI technology
Unity Runtime Fee
No love lost: AppLovin helpfully releases tool to switch from Unity to Godot or Unreal
AppLovin wades into the Unity Runtime Fee fiasco following its failed attempts to acquire the company
Announcements
Devsisters announces new game CookieRun: Tower of Adventures
The title is the latest entry in the popular runner franchise
Market Analysis
Honor of Kings makes $238 to become the world's highest grossing app in August
Plus the full breakdown of August 2023's biggest top ten global app performers
Announcements
Tencent teases competitor to NetEase's Eggy Party
The Fall Guys/Stumble Guys-inspired title has been a big hit for NetEase
Xbox Leaks
Microsoft's big gaming leak: Meet Brooklin, Sebile, Ellewood and more…
Undisclosed documents surface revealing Microsoft's new hardware, cloud and mobile plans and company's aim to deliver gaming everywhere
Ghost Detective
Playtika subsidiary Wooga unveils Ghost Detective on Netflix
The hidden object game is the latest step in fulfilling Netflix’s gaming ambition
Double-unicorn
Brawl Stars is Supercell’s latest $2bn hit
The title blasted past the double-unicorn milestone, joining four other Supercell titles
Unity Runtime Fee
Unity's biggest games: The big names who'll pay the biggest bucks
With an 70% of developers using Unity, it's the power behind the throne for thousands of much-loved titles including smash hits that keep some of gaming's biggest names afloat
Inspiring Women In Games
Candywriter’s Gabby Bradford Pigott on the value of partnerships
Liftoff's series of inspirational women working in mobile games welcomes Candywriter's Gabby Bradford Pigott to talk about the value of partnerships
Revenue
Nier Automata collaboration pushes Goddess of Victory: Nikke to a half-a billion in revenue
The collaboration saw a 215% increase in sales for the title
Apple App Store
Apple allows developers to offer regional pre-orders for games
The change means that games can be pre-ordered when launching across different markets
Collaborations
Dungeon Hunter 6: Rebooting a classic franchise for a new generation
The follow-up to the cult hack 'n' slash goes East-meets-West as Gameloft and GOAT Games collaborate on a classic
New Site
PocketGamer.fun launches today, offering a fresh way to find your new favorite mobile game
The latest site in the PocketGamer family offers a fresh way to keep ahead of the game
Unity Runtime Fee
A 4% cap and self-reported data: Inside the rollback of the Unity Runtime Fee
Beleaguered game engine outlines how they could address the industry's concerns
Alternative Storefronts
Xsolla launches Mall, a new alternative purchase platform
The site will allow games to host multiple landing pages, special offers and more
Pokémon Go
Pokémon GO sets sights on tenfold increase in monthly active users in India
Niantic vice president of emerging markets Omar Tellez reveals big plans for the game’s expansion
Unity Runtime Fee
“We fucked up on many levels..." Unity co-founder David Helgason wades into the Runtime Fee debacle
Unty's controversial pricing scheme changes have now drawn strong words from the company's founder and board member
Localisation
Niantic strengthens Indian market commitment with Hindi version of Pokémon Go
As part of the update The Pokémon Company has also localised the names of over 800 Pokémon
Average Revenue Per User
Introducing CrazyLabs' New Ad Report & How It Can Improve Your Game’s Performance
The latest report from CrazyLabs gives developers actionable data on improving ARPU using rewarded video and interstitial ads
Gaming In China
miHoYo and NetEase block Alipay payments on iOS
iOS users were also banned from recharging via Alipay
Disunity
TIGA calls for CMA intervention on Unity’s proposed Runtime Fees
The platform’s new ‘per install’ fees have been a source of controversy over the past week
Crossover
Scopely announces new crossover between Stumble Guys and Monopoly
The board game is coming to Scopely’s hit battle royale title in the latest update
Hot Five
Hot Five: Unity whips up a storm, Zynga vets raise $8M for NFT dinosaurs, and Niantic launches a new game
Our quick-fix round up of the hottest stories on PocketGamer.biz
Unity Runtime Fee
Unity back down following mass-dissent over its Runtime Fee plans
It's over… Or is it. Unity take to social media to promise that "We have heard you". But the exact nature of their climbdown for now remains elusive…
It's Not Me - It's You
Dear John... AppLovin CEO Adam Foroughi wades into the Unity Runtime fee debate with letter to Riccitiello
Unity's competitors side with developers in asking Unity to rethink their policy
Week That Was
Week in Views - What caught our eyes in the last seven days
The Pocketgamer.biz team take their pick of this weeks big news including Final Fantasy failure, the game industry's talent hunt and something about a 'runtime fee'?…
Acquisition
Playtika set to acquire Innplay Labs for up to $300 million
The acquisition includes an $80 million upfront fee
Unity Runtime Fee
Unity's pricing bombshell: The unanswered questions
As the debate rages, Kalle Kaivola CEO at Lightheart Entertainment sums up the questions that every Unity developer wants answered
Unity Runtime Fee
Miniclip's Sérgio Varanda does the math on Unity's controversial new pricing
The Miniclip senior executive vice president decides that "Unity's new pricing model can have a massive impact on profitability."
Maximise Revenue Improve User Experience
Liftoff's Sven Elstermann on monetising in today's competitive app landscape
In an ever more challenging market, how can mobile marketers and publishers drive revenue and boost in-app ad performance? Liftoff's Sven Elstermann explains...
Unity Runtime Fee
European Games Developer Federation takes a swipe at Unity
The EGDF calls for EU regulation. “Unity’s install fees are a sign of looming game engine market failure”
Finnish Fomo
Over 1,200 games professionals gather in Helsinki for the 40th Pocket Gamer Connects conference
Publishers, developers, indies and investors gathered to network, recruit and do business at the heart of the mobile games industry
Unity Runtime Fee
Developers issue collective ultimatum to Unity. "No more ironSource or Unity Ads until RunTime conditions are reviewed."
A brace of big names have banded together to shut off ads cash in protest against Unity's new pricing plans
Expert Opinion
Game Maker's Toolkit founder Mark Brown weighs in on Unity's pricing change
Unity's recent decision continues to send shockwaves through the industry
Unity
Unity closes two offices following death threat
Their controversial pricing change proves to be increasingly unpopular
Disunity
Unity take to X to clarify new runtime fees, but fails to stem the tide of discontent
Strong words from all corners of the industry continue to flow in
Closures
Hungry Shark developers Ubisoft London to close
The studio - formerly Future Games of London - was acquired by Ubisoft in 2013
Survey Signs
Half of all game development could be done by AI within 10 years
Bain & Company survey gives insight into current developer mindsets when it comes to generative AI
Unity Runtime Fee
Unity's CEO John Riccitiello sold shares a week before their pricing bombshell
Meanwhile Unity's Runtime Fee is starting to look like the bold, unpopular move that they had to make
Blue Protocol
Tencent reportedly adapting Bandai Namco’s Blue Protocol for mobile
The upcoming title is anticipated to be a smash hit
Job News
Lisa Bridgett steps down from role as DREST CEO
Former CEO Lucy Yeomans will reassume her role during the transition period
Partnership
PlanetPlay and Lockwood Publishing collaborate for an eco-friendly metaverse
The partnership aims to inspire climate conscious behaviour in Avakin Life players
Chips With Everything
Chip pioneer Arm reaches $54 billion valuation
The long-awaited initial public offering for the company that made mobile computing explode has been set at $51 per share
Square Deal
Square Enix shares drop 30% after lacklustre Final Fantasy roll-out
Is there such a thing as spinning a franchise too far? Square Enix may have just found out
Pgc Helsinki 2023
Major growth ahead for the African mobile games market
Carry1st's Mahmoud El-Azzeh on the potential and challenges of the African mobile games market and its place in the next decade
Very Big Indie Pitch
Boogiz blends dance, gaming and education to win The Very Big Indie Pitch in Helsinki
Winners breakdown
The Hunt Is Here
Niantic and Capcom's Monster Hunter Now launches with three million pre-registrations
The game is now available globally as players get to experience its unique take on a stamina system…
Podcast
Hot gaming trends and ad formats that are losing steam | Podcast
data.ai's Lexi Sydow dives into the data expert's latest report and explores the key tech, trends, spends and changes driving mobile games in 2023 with your hosts Peggy and Brian