Cloud Gaming
Xsolla jump into the cloud gaming scene with new solutions
Xsolla’s newest venture leaps squarely into the world of cloud gaming as they bring payment solutions to cross-platform play
Mobile Expansion
The Horizon franchise is reportedly eyeing a mobile debut
A job listing on Guerrilla Games’ website hints that the acclaimed series may be coming to mobile devices
New Acquisition
Original Games acquires Mergedom from Bigger Games
The Merge Inn maker is looking to consolidate its place in the market
Developer Tools
Yahaha Studios announces launch of 3D search tool Asset Ovi
The AI-assisted tool will help creators quickly find 3D game assets from a variety of stores
Activision Blizzard Financials
Activision Blizzard’s mobile revenue increased 14 percent year-on-year in 2022
The company’s fourth quarter financials confirms that their mobile gaming wing continues to outperform other platforms
Releases
Rogue Games partners with Netflix to release Dust & Neon and Highwater
Indie publisher Rogue Games will release two of their latest on multiple platforms, including Netflix Games
Activision Blizzard Fine
Activision Blizzard fined $35 million by US Securities and Exchange Commission
The fine follows an investigation into how the gaming giant handled workplace misconduct
Aquiblizz
UK Competitions & Markets Authority rumoured to block Activision Blizzard acquisition
According to sources, Microsoft are actively anticipating a possible block on the Activision-Blizzard acquisition by the UK CMA
Acquivision Blizzard
EU issues Microsoft with antitrust warning
The commission is the latest to take formal steps against the tech giant’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard
Trouble In China
Chinese internet firms report their first ever combined revenue decline
Companies such as Tencent and Alibaba saw sharp slowdowns throughout the year
New Studio
NetEase opens new Western studio Spliced Inc
Spliced Inc is the latest in a wave of international studios for the company
Sales
Rovio are officially in talks with Playtika, and others, for a potential sale
A recent statement on Rovio’s investors page indicates that the Angry Birds developer may also be in talks with other interested buyers
Anniversaries
Storytelling studio Brunette Games celebrates seventh anniversary
The storytelling studio has previously done work on major titles such as Lily’s Garden and Matchington Mansion
Niko Partners Forecast
MENA-3 games market to grow 56% by 2026
Niko Partners predicts that the combined revenue of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt will reach $2.8 billion
Ncsoft West Layoffs
NCSoft West CEO Jeff Anderson leaves amidst layoffs
Approximately 20% of the company’s staff have lost their jobs
Socialpeta Report
Google pulls ahead of iOS in strategy downloads, but iOS reigns for revenue
SocialPeta's report on mobile advertising in 2022 delves into the performance of the genre
Insights
Marvel Snap publisher Nuverse talks up their new global focus
Tom Van Dam, Nuverse's Senior Director of Global Business, outlines their increased global focus post Marvel Snap success
Marketing
Minigames and visual effects drive casual and simulation game marketing
New insights into the marketing of casual and simulation games reveals the latest techniques to generate impressions and installs
Hiring Hand
Dubit hires new head of studio Regine Weiner, formerly of Epic Games
Regine Weiner was previously a part of Fastlane, Rival Kingdoms, Samurai Siege and more
Socialpeta Report
RPGs saw a 4.76% increase in downloads last year
Downloads were up, however revenue for the genre fell 13.06 percent
Data
Google Play and iOS App Store reached 142 billion downloads in 2022
According to the latest data, first-party app stores reached 142 billion downloads in 2022, with games still dominating
Apple's Ads
Apple’s French fine reveals the secrets of its targeted advertising
The CNIL claims Apple is breaking French law and the probe has brought interesting insight to light
Appointments
Playstudios to appoint Playtika vet Mickey Sonnino as new COO
The Las-Vegas based mobile studio is set to bring in Playtika veteran Mickey Sonnino as their new Chief Operating Officer
Socialpeta Report
Casual games drew almost 28% of all game advertisers last year
A new report by SocialPeta delves into the state of mobile marketing in 2022
Financials
Cyberagent's operational profits are down 69.9%
The digital advertising company has sees dip in sales and operational profits but claims strong start to 2023 in its Q1 financials
Changes Ahead
Google opens the door to alternative app stores in India
Following requirements by the CCI Google have made the first moves to allow in-app billing outside Google's own Play Store.
Google Vs. The Doj
“Google abuses its monopoly power". The Department of Justice’s lawsuit against Google explained
The DoJ and eight US states are suing the tech giant for anticompetitive behaviour
Sinking Shares
Shares in EA have plummeted more than 10% this week
Following news of cancellations and a delay
Crossover Incoming
Supercell reveals crossover game Squad Busters with characters from various IPs
Clash of Clans, Hay Day and more to be represented
Tilting Point Layoffs
Tilting Point lays of 14% of its workforce
Over 60 people have been laid off at the company
Feedback Time
Let us know what topics you want to explore at Pocket Gamer Connects this year!
We want to hear your feedback! Let us know how we can make this year’s PG Connects shows even more valuable for you.
Gender Equality
NetEase included in 2023 Bloomberg Gender Equality Index
The gaming giant receives this recognition for the second time
Farmside In February
Team17 and Topia Studios’ Farmside is coming to Apple Arcade this month
Players to begin building their dream farms on 17 February 2023
Return Of A Legend
Tomb Raider Reloaded available for pre-registration on Android ahead of worldwide release
The game will launch on iOS, Android, and Netflix Games on Valentine’s Day – Lara Croft's birthday
Ai Ads
AdLiven announces AI image Generation Tool to for playable ads
The first-of-its-kind tool uses a neural network to identify specific variables linked to playable ads
Pocket Gamer Connects
Aarni Linnakangas talks “Shifting genres while keeping your core identity”
Superplus Games Hills of Steel made the shift to RTS. At PGC London 2023 they explained how they kept their core identity despite the shift in game design
New Launch
Street Fighter Duel coming to the West in 2023
Pre-registration is now open for Tencent’s Street Fighter mobile spin-off game, previously released in China and now coming to the West
Industry's Finest
Nominations for the Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards 2023 are live
Lobbying for the 22 categories – which for the first time will be open to industry-wide voting – closes on March 3rd
Killed At Its Apex
EA cancels Apex Legends Mobile and Battlefield Mobile
The studio is also closing developer Industrial Toys
Podcast
LiveOps on a shoestring budget | Podcast
MobilityWare's Larry Hsieh explains how you can 'do more with less' to keep your players engaged
Raiding The Small Screen
Amazon have reportedly purchased Tomb Raider from Embracer Group for $600 million
The company announced a television adaptation earlier this week, but they could have much larger plans for the iconic franchise
Applovin Data
Revealed: The key metrics for an effective ad creative
Narrative, relateability, and customisation… AppLovin data breaks down what it takes to make an effective ad
Newzoo Report
Mobile is the dominant platform for accessing media and IP
60 percent of engagement with media platforms happens on mobile devices
Ports
Desta: The Memories Between, makes the jump from mobile to Switch & PC
Developed by Ustwo Games, the title is now spreading its wings beyond its exclusive deal with Netflix Games
Hypercasual Report
Cost Per Install for hypercasual games hit an all-time high
IDFA changes hit iOS hard, forcing up user acquisition spending in 2022’s fourth quarter
New Releases
Ubisoft brings Valiant Hearts spin-off exclusively to Netflix Games
The Valiant Hearts: The Great War spin-off, Valiant Hearts: Coming Home, launches today on Netflix Games
Pocket Gamer Connects
Voodoo’s Alex Shea: “Hypercasual is dead”
In his talk at PGC London 2023, Alex Shea of Voodoo made a convincing argument for how hypercasual may be going the way of the dodo
Diversity In Gaming
How inclusivity and diversity can lead to a positive future
Groups such as Rovio, LEGO and Nokia joined a roundtable led by UNICEF Finland to discuss insights and experiences
Milestones
UK mobile dev Kwalee hits 1bn total installs
Leamington Spa-based developer Kwalee announced the important milestone today
Build Better Battlers
Get 55 percent revenue share in the Crazy Trends Challenge by CrazyLabs
Test your battle games, pass the benchmark and win great prizes!