Barcelona Beckons
Sandsoft CEO on how a cohesive national strategy could level up Spain's games industry
We speak to Sandsoft CEO David Fernandez about Barcelona's bustling games hub and what it needs to continue growing
Podcast | Episode 54
Fortnite’s Epic return and the challenges of launching a game in 2025 | 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 54...
New Offerings
AppOnBoard launches Quvy to speed up user acquisition
“Discoverability shouldn’t be limited to those with the biggest budgets”
Earnings Report
Embracer Group mobile revenue drops 31% after Easybrain sale
User acquisition costs rose to $60m, accounting for 61% of net sales
Victory
FTC drops antitrust case against Microsoft’s $69bn Activision deal
The FTC tried to block the deal over competition concerns in cloud gaming and subscriptions
Hot Five
Hot Five: Pokémon TCG Pocket surpasses $1bn, Delta Force Mobile hits $100m, and Fortnite's comeback
Our quick-fix roundup of the hottest stories on PocketGamer.biz
Week In Views
Supercell's AI ambitions, Clash of Clans gets a Netflix series, and Pokémon TCG Pocket hits $1bn | Week in Views
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
Speaker Spotlight
CrazyGames' Rabia Dincer on the untapped potential of the humble web browser
"Building a great game, then figuring out monetisation and audience later. In today’s landscape, that’s backwards"
Fortnite On Top
Fortnite ranks number one for US App Store downloads since return
Battle royale beats out ChatGPT, WhatsApp, Dunk City Dynasty and Block Blast to the top spot
Consequential Comeback
Fortnite returns, what now for the mobile market?
Fortnite's return to the US App Store has far-reaching consequences
Barcelona Beckons
Rovio's ambitions to become a key player in Barcelona's dev scene
We speak to Rovio VP of marketing Luis de la Camara about the Angry Birds developer's Spanish operations
New Games
New release roundup: Fortnite, Dunk City Dynasty, Game of Thrones: Dragonfire, Mutants: Genesis and more
We highlight the latest new games that have broken cover over the past week
Esports Growth
Banijay Asia teams up with Nodwin Gaming to boost esports and youth entertainment in India
“This is just the beginning of a bold new chapter in gaming and youth content,” said Nodwin co-founder and MD Akshat Rathee
Pocket Gamer Party
Prepare for an amazing Pocket Gamer Party in Barcelona!
Games industry professionals are invited to an exclusive and free networking party celebrating our first event in Barcelona.
Job News
Roblox names Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov as head of parental advocacy
She will lead efforts to build partnerships and programs that support parents in guiding their families through Roblox
New Offerings
Mattel launches first IP crossover mobile game ahead of its 80th anniversary
The game is currently in soft launch in the Philippines and Canada
Company Spotlight
Company Spotlight: Wehype
Find out more about Wehype, the Uppsala-based company which helps turn creator marketing into a growth engine for game companies
Funding News
PlaySafe ID raises $1.1m to fight cheating and toxicity in online games
“This is now more important than ever before,” said PlaySafe ID CEO Andrew Wailes
Unicorn Club
Pokémon TCG Pocket surpasses $1bn in just over 200 days
The trading card game has hit the $1bn milestone 78 days faster than Pokémon Go, based on player spending
Barcelona Beckons
How Barcelona became Scopely's largest games hub
We speak to the Monopoly Go developer's director of operations Néstor Pequeño about its Spanish expansion
Jobs News
nDreams CEO Patrick O'Luanaigh steps down after 19 years
Chief development officer Tomas Gillo steps into the role as O'Luanaigh becomes non-executive chairman
New Partnerships
Tencent’s Level Infinite and Invest Qatar sign MoU to boost the country's games industry
Both parties will collaborate on talent development initiatives to drive long-term growth
Delivering Dragonfire
Game of Thrones: Dragonfire soft launches in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines
The strategy title is based on the popular IP’s House of the Dragon spinoff
New Medium
Thatgamecompany fuses film and gaming in new Sky: Children of the Light animated feature
The developers’ transmedia project will explore the game’s origin story
New Offerings
Mistplay launches LoyaltyPlay to help mobile publishers boost retention and monetisation
Rewards hub is currently available to iPhone users in the US
Strategic Move
Embracer to rename as Fellowship Entertainment after Coffee Stain Group spin-off
The move is part of the publisher’s broader transformation strategy after years of layoffs and closures
Expansions
Supercell expands AI Innovation Lab to San Francisco
The Brawl Stars developer is hiring a leader to run the new Bay Area hub
Mid-tier Prices End
Last chance to save: final Pocket Gamer Connects Barcelona 2025 ticket price rise approaches
Save up to €115 (100) if you book before midnight this Thursday, May 22nd
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
Destined Details
Destiny: Rising opens pre-registrations on App Store
Pre-registrations for the full game will open on Google Play at a later date
King's Crown
King president Tjodolf Sommestad to step down as Todd Green takes the reins
Sommestad has spent three years as president and almost 14 at King overall
Turkish Games Market
Six up and coming Turkish games companies you should know about
Felix Braberg offers insight into the Turkish games market highlighting six studios to watch out for
Epic Resolution
Fortnite returns to US App Store after nearly five years
Apple and Epic claim they've “resolved all issues”
Xbox Mobile Store
Microsoft urges court to enforce Apple anti-steering ruling amid stalled launch of Xbox mobile store
The tech giant claims its solutions have been “stymied by Apple”
Launching At Lightspeed
Final Fantasy XIV Mobile launching this June in China
Square Enix and Lightspeed Studios’ upcoming release has been "specifically tailored" for mobile
New Offerings
Adjust launches beta for AI-powered Growth Copilot for marketers
The AppLovin subsidiary claims its platform represents a new class of AI for growth teams
New Game Launch
Nazara’s Fusebox Games launches Big Brother: The Game worldwide
UK developer taps game licence for reality TV show
New Offerings
Minion Rush shifts to Unity engine after surpassing 1.2bn downloads
Long-running title gets visual overhaul and new features
Investment News
Voya Games raises $5m to build player-owned economies
Funds will go towards expanding its user base and supporting the growth of its debut game Craft World
Accomplished Anniversary
Dungeon & Fighter Mobile surpasses $1.3bn in first year on Chinese App Store
Nexon’s mega-hit bolstered franchise revenue by 162% in its release quarter and went on to be 2024’s biggest new mobile release
Agenda Overview
Pocket Gamer Connects Barcelona 2025 agenda overview: Insights and networking await in the heart of the European games industry
The Pocket Gamer Connects Barcelona 2025 agenda is live. Join us June 3rd and 4th to gain insights from 100+ industry leaders and network with top professionals.
Job Losses
Wooga struck by around 50 layoffs as Claire’s Chronicles: Solitaire cancelled
The news comes as the developer moved into its new office
Mobile Mavens
How to launch a new game in 2025
Our Mobile Mavens share insights and advice on launching a new game in today’s market
Clash Incoming
CLASH: A Clash of Clans Netflix show is now in pre-production
The series based on the Clash of Clans and Clash Royale universe is being animated by ICON Creative Studio
Earnings Report
Yalla Group records $83.9m revenue in Q1 2025 despite 8% decline in paying users
The company's game services generated $30.1m
Mobile Milestone
Delta Force surpasses $100m on mobile
The tactical shooter earned $72.9m on mobile ahead of global rollout, with a further $33.8m earned since
New Offerings
Why investor Jetapult is building AI platform GamePac
“Our philosophy is that tools should adapt to the studio, not the other way around," said Jetapult CEO Sharan Tulsiani
Career Zone
Careers Zone at Pocket Gamer Connects: Matchmaking that works
Cross-platform Curve
Nazara acquires UK publisher Curve Games for $28.9m
The deal will see Nazara take 100% ownership of Curve from Catalis Group
Studio Closure
Jason Avent’s Hardball Games closing down
"Gradually during 2023, the market went cold, the money taps all turned off and the conversations we were having all went dry"