Disney shuts down Star Wars: Rivals, Honor of Kings takes $3.5bn in revenue and Tencent unveil Lego Cube

The past weeks hottest articles

• 5 The surprising successes of PC-based Android gaming platform BlueStacks

  

  When BlueStacks launched seven years ago it was, somewhat, a curious proposition.

  At the time, many would query why people would want to take on-the-go experiences and play them stationary on their PC.

  Today, however, BlueStacks can consider itself to have enjoyed some fair success. With the rise of PC-inspired titles and the cost of phones, the proposition is much more tempting.

  Much like the PC games they are inspired by, performance is optimal when played on faster software and witnessed on a bigger screen.

  And player habits are something BlueStacks is wary of and out to satisfy with its version four release.

  “It’s our lightest build ever and also offers the best performance; eight times faster,” explains UK and Greater Europe country manager Janneke van Swetselaar.

  
  

• 4 Mobile gaming apps are the biggest victim of fraudulent app installs

  

  App install fraud is an unfortunately common issue known to most in the mobile games space, from ad networks to social media platforms.

  The problem doesn't stem from games companies being uninformed. According to Machine Advertising MD Gary Danks, they're better prepared than most. 

  Where the problem does come from, however, is the sheer size of the user acquisition budgets involved.

  What this means is the mobile games industry is a particularly lucrative target for fraudulent suppliers.

  
  

• 3 Tencent and LEGO unveil mobile open-sandbox game LEGO Cube for China

  

  Tencent and LEGO unveiled a new open-sandbox game in grandiose fashion last week at an event called Imagination Creates the World.

  Called LEGO Cube, the game focuses on creation and exploration rather than linear story and will be released in China with a tentative launch window for the end of the year.

  The game was developed by Tencent and is slated for release at the end of this year in China. No mention was made, however, if it would release in other countries. 

  LEGO Cube is the first game to come from Tencent’s partnership with LEGO, which was revealed in January of this year.

  
  

• 2 Tencent’s Honor of Kings rakes in over $3.5 billion in global revenue

  

  It's been business as usual for Tencent as its hit MOBA Honor of Kings has now racked up over $3.5 billion since launching in November 2015. 

  According to Sensor Tower, the Shenzhen behemoth’s home country has remained the most lucrative, which is evidenced by the 96 per cent of the total income it contributed.

  Revenue made in China from Honour of Kings came in at $89.2 million for the first half of 2018.

  That total is a 25 per cent increase on the $70.9 million made during the same period the year prior.

  
  

• 1 Disney to shut down Star Wars: Rivals mobile game

  

  Star Wars: Rivals has been shut down by Disney following over a year in soft launch. 

  The entertainment giant announced the move in a breath update on the games' FAQ.

  As of now, In-app purchases have been taken offline, and the games' close date stands at October 11th, after which it will no longer be available to download. 

  According to Disney, no refunds or credits will be offered to players for any items purchased.