Call For Improvement
Most social media game ads fail to meet loot box labeling standards
The study shows that out of 188 ads for 63 games across Meta's platforms, only 7% make correct mention of loot boxes
Five New Games
New release roundup: The best new mobile games from Tamagotchi escapades to exercise encouragers
We highlight five new games that have broken cover and are all set to do big business
Q&a
Speaker Spotlight: Aptoide's Jack Robson on how third-party payments could be a "game-changer" on mobile
"It could usher in a new era of monetisation strategies and user interaction in mobile gaming"
Poker Face
Tencent is now spending over HK$1 billion A DAY on its own shares
Every cloud has a silver lining, and following its recent shareprice nosedive post legislative bombshell, the company is only accelerating its buybacks
Promotion Plan
Netmarble plans to appoint vice president Byung Gyu Kim as co-CEO this March
Byung Gyu Kim will rise to the role provided he is met with approval at the upcoming shareholders’ meeting
Podcast
Fluent's Matt Conlin talks game-changing user acquisition trends for 2024 | Podcast
The PocketGamer.biz podcast team and guests give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and and what's inside this week's episode…
Purchase Power
Tencent sells app store to Huya ahead of Chinese crackdown
Tencent has been selling up and parting ways with its animation company. Now an app store leaves its stable.
Recruitment Special
New Year, New Job 2024: Wanted: Your recruitment tips for 2024!
Got good advice for landing that dream job? We want to hear it! Our new campaign will hook up great employees with dream jobs. But we need you to be part of the action
Who's At The Show
A masterclass in gaming excellence: Gain insights from industry titans this month
Sharing knowledge and inspiring success: Learn from the masters at Pocket Gamer Connects London 2024, the premier gaming event of the year!
Antitrust Heat
Antitrust regulator hits Nexon Korea with record fine for deceptive practices
Meanwhile the company hits back, challenging the regulator's decision, claiming that its explanation has not been fully acknowledged
Mena Focus
Savvy Games Group: “Approximately 75 percent of our capital allotment has not yet been invested”
We speak to Savvy Games Group CEO Brian Ward about the accomplishments of the past year, what we can expect to see next from the MENA region and Savvy’s new games ambitions
Kardashian Closure
Kim Kardashian: Hollywood removed from app stores with end of service in April
After almost a decade and millions successfully banked, Kim Kardashian’s mobile game is reaching the end of the road
Hyper Homa
Homa looks forward to 2024 as their catalogue surpasses 1.5 billion installs
Homa reflects on 2023 accomplishments from hires to installs to an expanded presence across platforms
Get The Message
Greeting new players is table stakes… But 75% of the top-ranked games don’t do it
Research reveals that developers are sending out the wrong signals, while messaging that's tailored to players is a no-brainer that keeps them coming back for more
Q&a
Speaker Spotlight: Xsolla president David Stelzer on web stores as "the next big opportunity" for mobile games
"Off-store means of revenue generation are the clear future of our industry"
Gacha Glimpse
Genshin Impact, Fate/Grand Order, Goddess of Victory: Nikke… How would the big gachas fare with a China ban?
As Chinese regulations scrutinise gacha mechanics, are the genre’s biggest players making enough elsewhere?
Passing The Buck
Top Chinese official removed following gaming crackdown confusion
Top publicity official Feng Shixin has been relieved of his duty after the release of work-in-progress tighter gaming regulations wiped $80 billion from top Chinese gaming stocks
Crystal Ball Time
Games industry predictions for 2024 part two: Layoffs to continue, generative AI in production, and a year of innovation
The Mobile Mavens gaze into the crystal ball to share their thoughts and expectations for the year ahead
Coo Comeback
Sega Europe brings back former president Jurgen Post amidst leadership changes
President and COO Gary Dale and chief studio officer Tim Heaton are departing from the studio
New Years Resolutions
Level up your game: Top 5 New Year's resolutions for success in the games industry
Elevate your game in the New Year with these top five resolutions for success in the dynamic world of the games sector
Crystal Ball Time
Games industry predictions for 2024: Big games will get bigger, M&A will start to scale back, and third-party app stores
The Mobile Mavens gaze into the crystal ball to share their thoughts and expectations for the year ahead
Appchievement
Chinese game licence approvals surpassed 1,000 in 2023 in return to form
The total more than doubled 2022’s approval numbers
App Authority
Japanese legislation looks to confront Apple and Google monopolies in 2024
New regulations could require both Apple and Google to allow alternate billing systems
Esport Support
Marcos Gaming completes pre-seed round to bolster Indian Esports
Funding from India Accelerator, Finvolve and SucSEED Ventures will support content creation, community growth and more
Startup Synergy
Unicorn Factory Lisboa opens The Gaming Hub in Portugal to support startup developers
Fortis Games has opened a Libson-based studio in partnership with the programme
New Year's Resolutions
Mobile Mavens' New Year's resolutions for 2024 part two: Giving back, supporting those hit by layoffs, and not repeating past mistakes
The Mobile Mavens share their ambitions for the coming year
Aiming High
Fahy Studios charts ambitious course to reshape Saudi Arabia's games scene
The company's founders discuss their Kwalee partnership, upcoming projects and their plans to leverage the KSA's gaming landscape
New Year Goals
Square Enix promise greater globalisation and "aggressive" use of AI
Square Enix has begun 2024 with its familiar new year letter outlining the good and the bad and its global intentions ahead
New Year's Resolutions
Mobile Mavens' New Year's resolutions for 2024: Never stop evolving, make bolder decisions, and be nicer to each other
The Mobile Mavens share their ambitions for the coming year
Update
China's latest gaming crackdown: What's new and what it means for mobile's biggest game makers
The introduction of spending limits and bans on everything from regular login rewards to gacha gaming mechanics have thrown China's gaming giants into chaos
Best Of 2023
PocketGamer.biz's mobile games of the year 2023
Yes, we couldn't resist one more opportunity to point you at what you should be playing! Here are the team's favourite games of 2023
Big Indie Pitch Stories
Big Indie Interviews: Jai Bunnag and Chris Li tell us how FINIFUGU designs for its target audience
Interview: We sit down with the multi-time Big Indie Pitch winner to discuss growth and change
Game Of The Year
Mobile Mavens' mobile games of the year 2023 part two: Frozen City, Arena Breakout, Boom! and more
The Mobile Mavens share the best mobile games they've played this year
Game Of The Year
Mobile Mavens' mobile games of the year 2023: Monopoly GO, Street Fighter Dual, Honkai: Star Rail, and more
The Mobile Mavens share the best mobile games they've played this year
Best Of 2023
2023's Greatest Hits: Relive 2023's highs and lows with our 10 biggest stories of the year
Of all the shocks, surprises, bold claims, battles and bruisings that rocked the mobile games business through 2023 these are our top 10 stories that hit the hardest…
Best Of 2023
Aaron Astle's top stories of 2023: Monster Hunter Now's $100m success, the future of livestreaming, and pesky App Store fees
From giant games to monetisation models… PocketGamer.biz news editor Aaron Astle picks his favourite stories from throughout 2023
Best Of 2023
Paige Cook's top stories of 2023: Games industry layoffs, Microsoft's Activision acquisition, and Sega's big Rovio deal
PocketGamer.biz deputy editor Paige Cook picks her favourite stories from throughout 2023
Best Of 2023
Daniel Griffiths' top stories of 2023: AI, Unity's runtime fee farrago, and crunch time for ByteDance
From A.I. to Zelnick… PocketGamer.biz editor Daniel Griffiths picks his favourite stories from throughout 2023
Job Losses
Versus Evil shuts down and lays off all 13 staff
News comes just weeks after GM announced departure
Tumble Guys
Tencent and NetEase lose $80 billion in market value as China cracks down on game monetisation tactics
New rules prohibit daily login rewards, first-time purchase bonuses and rewards for repeat spend
Industry Trends
Mobile Mavens on the biggest games industry trends of 2023 part two: "The hypercasual boom is slowly fading"
The big names in the industry tell us what they thought the biggest stories of the year were
Five New Games
New release roundup: The best new mobile games to check out this holiday season
We highlight five new games that have broken cover and are all set to do big business
Podcast
Zynga’s Yaron Leyvand on the secret to making a “forever franchise” | Podcast
In the final podcast of 2024 the PocketGamer.biz podcast team speak to Zynga's Yaron Leyvand about the company's incredible journey - from Farmville to forever franchises
Positive Momentum
Trinity Gaming India, Lenovo, Intel, and YouTube join forces to bolster the Indian creator economy
Partnered creators will collaborate to produce content and participate as a team in BGMI, Valorant, and CSGO battles.
Industry Trends
Mobile Mavens on the biggest games industry trends of 2023: "This has been the single hardest year in games I think I have seen in my career"
The big names in the industry tell us what they thought the biggest stories of the year were
New Partnerships
Naraza Technologies snags deals with four developers as it ramps up new publishing arm
Nazara intends to release around 20 games across mobile, web3, VR, and PC platforms over the next 12 to 18 months
Platform Power
Tencent is advertising DreamStar on ByteDance platforms in competition with NetEase
After a fierce rivalry, Tencent and ByteDance are finally warming up to one another
Kotick Conclusion
Leadership changes under Microsoft as Bobby Kotick departure date confirmed
Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard means leadership changes and a transition period ahead
Ad Strategy
Upping your game with integrated ads
AdInMo’s head of supply Lewis Horgan shows how immersive ad placements can take your game to the next level
Fashion Fanatics
Tilting Point, Hilfiger Ventures and Brandible prepare to launch AI fashion game
FashionVerse will aim to leverage modern technology to scale the fashion world