Publishing Support
Fingersoft's Round Zero on its data-driven approach to mobile games publishing
CEO Daniel Rantala dishes the details on how it aims to help developers release on the global stage
Aso
Drive mobile app traffic with app store optimisation
How good ASO can boost your downloads and revenue
Co-development
Canada’s Throwback Entertainment inks co-development deal with South Korea’s Leanup
Two titles set for release by the end of the year
Not So Essential?
Android creator considers sale of Essential phone maker
At least one potential buyer already said to be interested
Not Bad
Tencent's Honour of Kings made $185 million in April 2018
Fortnite meanwhile generates $296 million across platforms
Steam Blocker
Apple cites business conflicts as it rejects Valve’s Steam Link app
Mobile platform holder reverses decision to approve the the app
Off The Chain
More than 50% of players of blockchain game Spells of Genesis haven’t used the blockchain
Results from BitCrystals’ first gamer survey
Growth Investment
Why Playtika has created a warchest to invest up to $400 million in companies around the world
Playtika Growth Investments MD Eric Rapps discusses the social casino giant's new funding arm
Big Hire
Former Rovio executive producer Will Luton joins Big Pixel Studios as director of product
Luton to take a leading role in design and direction for Pocket Mortys
Job Klaxon
Spil Games promotes from within for new CEO
COO Timm Geyer is taking the reins
Birds On Tour
Rovio reveals slew of licensing partnerships in US for Angry Birds
Bags, oral care, crocs, you name it
Destroyed
Ash vs Evil and the Divergent series collide in Lionsgate's Deploy and Destroy
Developer Apps Ministry will add more characters from Lionsgate's library of IPs in due course
Pocket Stories
125 million downloads later narrative game Episode is ready to fend off new competition
Episode studio head Michael Dawson discusses the game's success and the new competitors entering the genre
Well Then
New PlayStation chief sees future in portable games for Sony
John Kodera thinks it should be a vital part of the PlayStation ecosystem
First Person
Google out to highlight mobile games stars with new behind-the-scenes series
First three videos feature voice actor Ashly Burch, games dev Bennett Foddy and Ink Stories co-founder Vassiliki Khonsari
Creatively Speaking
Inkle, Laser Dog, Creative Assembly and more games companies named in Creative England 50
List celebrates top companies in UK creative industries channelling diversity and taking creative risks with ‘resonating messages’
Closure
150 staff laid off as Wargaming Seattle closes down
Up to 150 jobs to be affected
Indie Backing
GameMaker creator YoYo Games spins up indie games publishing division
Ex-Outplay senior producer Chris Trewartha heads up new team
What A Play
Outplay recruits King's Luis De La Camara for global marketing role
Luis De La Camara joins as VP of Global Marketing
Stats
Static full-screen generate largest revenue share amongst casual games in the West
Appodeal surveyed a host of mobile casual games developers to look into monetisation trends
Jobs News
Nordeus, Mobile Monsters and Ubisoft Massive vets move to Jagex
Three new hires at the RuneScape developer
Cabin
Games accelerator Stugan welcomes 21 developers in 2018 line-up
The programme has aimed to double down on diversity with this year’s crop
Beyond App Stores
"In 2050 there will be no app stores"
Will be replaced by chat platforms
Why Not
NetEase developing internet drama based on battle royale hit Knives Out
The Chinese tech company are also turning Onmyoji into a live action movie
Crafty
Minecraft builds up 100 million players in China since launching last year
The popular builder originally came to China in August
Key
Apple's 19th annual WWDC to kick off June 4th in San Jose
Apple expected to reveal host of new updates for iOS in opening keynote
Interesting
Double Fine Presents taps up Playables for interactive animation title KIDS
KIDS will come out this year on iOS and Android
Search Ads
How AppBi is supporting Apple Search Ads campaigns for top mobile games publishers
AppBi CEO Carmen Lu discusses how its services can lead to a generous ROI
Not Safe
More than 72% of Android apps are at risk of European GDPR violations
SafeDK is accessing the readability of android apps ahead of the upcoming General Data Protection Regulation
G5 Financials
Hidden object specialist G5 Entertainment grows revenues to $43m in Q1 2018
Net income reported at $5 million
Go Go Go
Pokemon Sun and Moon content coming to Pokemon Go
Content update to include Alolan versions of Kanto Pokemon
Artificial Intelligence
Why games developer Kixeye raised $20 million for machine learning
CMO John Getze explains the company's plans
Funded
Nokia phone manufacturer to “aggressively expand” in 2018 after raising $100 million
Round of investment was led by Ginko Ventures
Knighted
Netmarble’s Knights Chronicle pulls in 500,000 pre-registrations in one week
Players who sign-up will gain a slew of rewards come games launch
Angry Tv
Long-form Angry Birds animated series set for 2020
Rovio wants to extend IP outside of games and film
Whoops
"Lack of oversight" to blame for Overwatch art in Paladins Strike ad
Hi-Rez art director was swift to assure that the matter was being looked into
Indie Spotlight
Indie Spotlight: State of Play's Katherine Bidwell on art inspirations and spinning plates
"I think with running a small company it’s about making sure all the plates are spinning and keeping the focus on achievable goals"
Well Now
Epic puts up $100 million for Fortnite esports tournament prize pools
And that’s just for the first season
E For Everyone
ESRB set to drop short form rating for digital games in June
Games developers will still have a free option with IARC
It's Pickle Pixel
Adult Swim buys London-based Pocket Mortys developer Big Pixel Studios
Network plans to increase investment in the games space
The Charticle
Despite strong criticism Jam City's Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery is a top grosser
Outgrossing Cookie Jam and Panda Pop for IAPs in key markets
Key Speakers
Ubisoft, Campo Santo and Jumpship headline BIG Festival
Isabelle Bismuth, Alan Van Slyke, Chris Remo and Dino Patti set to speak at event
Nice
Cartoon Network soft launches new Powerpuff Girls game in Asia
The horde mode-styled beat ‘em up pits the girls against monsters
Whoot!
Alien Path publisher iCandy buys Indonesian Hollywhoot developer Joyseed
Deal worth up to $263,000
Going Public
Worms publisher Team17 targets $144m in gross proceeds from IPO
Set for flotation on Wednesday, May 23rd
International Expansion
Chartboost opens Barcelona office
New branch will house engineering team
Fortnite Android
Epic eyes summer release for Fortnite on Android
Mobile version of battle royale hit to get smaller install file and new updates
Weekly Charts
Weekly UK App Store charts: Candy Crush Saga knocks Fortnite off top
Rankings from May 7th to 13th
Hot Five
Project Cars coming to mobile, Glu's Design Home inspired revival, and Rumble Stars Soccer
The past weeks hottest offerings
Gameloft Financials
Gameloft revenues fall to $93 million in Q1 2018
Publisher reports 114 million MAUS and 13 million DAUs