Bidding War
AppLovin confirms interest in acquiring TikTok
Ad tech firm exploring purchase of video-sharing app in all markets outside of China
Practical Ai
Do AI tools for game development live up to the hype? Not even remotely
But the tech did enable an experienced engineer to re-create the original X-COM in three months
Switch 2 Speculation
Analysts weigh in on future "smash hit" Nintendo Switch 2, a $7-8bn opportunity for games content in next two years
Piers Harding-Rolls and Rhys Elliot have taken to LinkedIn with their initial thoughts
Ad Insights
Why disturbing mobile ads work and how to succeed without them
Alexandra Pulinets provides an in-depth analysis of why disturbing ads are effective, their potential harm, and a better alternative
Leading From London
London is now third-biggest hub for games industry workers worldwide
The city has topped the leaderboard in the UK and Europe with only Los Angeles and San Francisco ahead
Before A Ban
AppLovin and Amazon rumoured among potential TikTok buyers ahead of April 5th deadline
The social media app’s original ban in January 2025 was postponed to allow more time for a sale
Regulations To Watch
Regulatory issues to keep an eye on in the UK and EU
Taylor Wessing associate Laura Craig discusses recent enforcement actions over monetisation in the EU, and evolving regulations in the UK
Supercell Speaks
Supercell CEO Ilkka Paananen talks AI, Brawl Stars, middle management fears and why startups should "go crazy" with fresh ideas
Paananen speaks with a16z speedrun to give advice and talk Supercell history
Mena Month
MENA Month begins on PocketGamer.biz
We'll be highlighting the exciting teams, investment opportunities and major news from the region
Jobs In Games
Jobs in Games: Why InnoGames’ Marc Morian left the games industry and what brought him back
In this series, we highlight the talented team members working in the games industry and how they got their break
Big Indie Zone
Dubai GameExpo Summit 2025 celebrates indie developers with Big Indie Zone Audience Choice Award sponsored by ID@Xbox
Celebrate indie developers and their games at The Big Indie Zone Audience Choice Award sponsored by ID@Xbox at the Dubai GameExpo Summit 2025.
Switch 2 Surprises
Nintendo Switch 2 launches June 5th with GameChat, GameShare, new mobile support and more
Games include Mario Kart World, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment and Donkey Kong Bananza
Marvellous Mena
Lobah on raising $12m and the opportunity for culturalised games in MENA
We talk with Lobah head of product and partnerships Ibrahim El Kawam fresh on the back of the studio's big-money investment
Fireside Chats @ Pgcsf25
Expertise, experience and insight - Seven fabulous fireside chats from PGC London 2025
At PGC London 2025 HyprMX sat down with the speakers, business leaders and pioneers who are changing the future of mobile games. Here are seven of the very best
Pgc London 2025
"Sometimes increasing your marketing budget doesn’t mean you’re going to scale up"
Adjust head of sales, central Europe Cansu Agaoglu talks the "science of success" at PGC London 2025
Industry Insights
Mastering the ad experience: Three KPIs to track
Unity’s Amir Tapiro shares insight on three important KPIs to track for a healthy ad experience
Speedrun Soon
a16z speedrun opens applications for fifth event with up to $1m on offer
SR005 kicks off in July 2025
Monumental Move
Monument Valley trilogy goes cross-platform
The first two series entries will release later this month, followed by Monument Valley 3 this summer
Shiny Surge
Pokémon TCG Pocket’s first shiny cards trigger 265% spending surge
The Shining Revelry set is cashing in on fan-favourite Pokémon with elusive colour variations
Ugc Upgrade
The Gang launches UGC Insight tool to help Roblox devs analyse and compare experiences
The analytics tool enables direct comparison between competitors
Platinum Partner @ Pgc
GeeMee at PGC SF: connecting, innovating, and powering revenue growth
"There's a growing acknowledgement of the need for ad solutions that better consider both technical implementation and user experience."
Finding Funds
HYBE Interactive Media secures $21m to bring K-pop artists to games
Anticipation for MMORPG Architect: Land of Exile played a key role in the latest deal
Mobile Mavens
Mobile Mavens: How serious is market saturation and is it an excuse for failure?
We asked industry experts their opinions on market saturation and how big or little its impact is
Gdc Interview
How Status created a million-user AI social simulation in a month
Feed of dreams: WishRoll’s CEO on hitting 500,000 daily active users by letting teenagers role-play as influencers in their own fantasy worlds
Strike Exceptions
SAG-AFTRA waiver agreements let striking performers work with students and game jams
More than 180 games have been signed to interim and tiered-budget agreements to date
Ai Platform
AI-powered ad creative platform INCYMO.AI launches
"AI won’t replace those who embrace it — it will replace those who fear it"
French Fine
Apple hit with $162m fine over ATT in France
The Autorité de la concurrence has taken issue with Apple’s disproportionate implementation rather than its objective "at its core"
Pgc Helsinki
Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki 2025 returns bigger, bolder and packed with unmissable opportunities
The leading B2B games industry conference returns with enhanced programming, new networking opportunities, and an impressive line-up of sessions on October 7 - 8, 2025
Collab Incoming
AFK Journey crossover with Fairy Tail incoming as "first of many IP collaborations"
The collaboration will bring main characters Natsu Dragneel and Lucy Heartfilia to the game with signature combat styles and abilities included
Indian Investment
Krafton acquires controlling stake in Nautilus Mobile for $14 million
JetSynthesys will remain a significant minority investor
Penalties And Provocation
EU set for first 'modest' fines against Apple and Meta under DMA
The move comes during US president Donald Trump’s tariffs and potential trade war escalation
Hot Five
Hot Five: GDC takeaways, Nintendo Today app launches, and Honkai: Star Rail’s race to $2bn on mobile
Our quick-fix roundup of the hottest stories on PocketGamer.biz
Historical Perspective
Kelly Vero on women's overlooked contributions to games and tech
The game industry veteran's new book traces the path of women innovators from ancient Egypt to modern developers
Podcast | Episode 47
GDC 2025 final thoughts | Week in Mobile Games podcast
The PocketGamer.biz podcast team give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and what's inside this week's episode 47...
Week In Views
Tencent props up Ubisoft leadership, and Pokémon gets the LEGO treatment | Week in Views
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
Nintendo App
Nintendo Today mobile app launches to keep fans informed on Switch 2 and more
App is free download but requires a Nintendo account
Investment News
Kameha Ventures launches $27m fund to support game tech startups
The team will provide strategic guidance, mentorship, and long-term backing for early-stage founders
Cloud Partnership
Amazon Luna partners with EA to bring Star Wars and more to cloud gaming platform
The service has expanded to four new regions, now available in 14 countries
Tax Breaks
Alberta scraps plans for video game tax credit
The government will now support the industry through “strategic funding partnerships and investments”
New Games
New release roundup: Simon’s Cat Match, NBA 2K All Star, DriftX, Piano Tiles 2+ and more
We highlight the latest new games that have broken cover the past week
Super Backer
Supercell steps up investment arm push
Developer calls on companies to reach for potential partnerships on new website
Short Report
AppLovin shares dive 19% after latest short-seller report
Muddy Waters claims ad tech firm violates platforms' terms and conditions; AppLovin CEO says it's "easy to discredit a short report like this in minutes"
Investment Deal
Tencent invests $1.25bn in new Ubisoft subsidiary focused on top IP
Spin-off includes licences and teams for Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six, Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry
Publising Deal
Skystone Games takes US publishing rights for Mobile Legends as TikTok ban looms
ByteDance has been forced to relinquish publishing rights to the MOBA and Marvel Snap by US lawmakers
Crossovers
Subway Surfers and Crossy Road collide in first-ever crossover event
Event will include limited edition crossover characters and other surprises
The Future Of Iap
Monetisation trends 2025: Insights from Elevatix CEO Kseniia Maiboroda on revolutionising IAPs
Find out why the Elevatix CEO believes the future of mobile gaming lies not just in profitability but in building trust and lasting relationships with players
New Partnerships
Anzu and Claritas partner to offer improved attribution metrics for in-game ads
The partnership aims to bring transparency and performance optimisation to in-game advertising
Going Public
Discord could go public this year as IPO plans take shape
Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are on board for planned flotation
Gdc 2025
GDC 2025 wraps up with nearly 30,000 attendees
Next year's edition will take place at the Moscone Center from March 9th to 13th, 2026
Game Closure
Square Enix to shut down War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius after five years
The title will remain playable until May 29th, 2025