Worldwide Digital Conference
Apple's WWDC 2020 will use an online-only format
Scheduled for some time in June
Back Of The Net
Nexon signs deal with EA for a new FIFA mobile game in South Korea
Beta testing begins in April
Going Ahead
Devcom 2020 is still taking place despite Covid-19 concerns
The organisers exepect the virus to "ease considerably"
"irresponsible To Carry On"
Gamesweek Berlin and EGX Rezzed delayed surrounding coronavirus threat
March and April events moved to prevent the spread
Pride, Gluttony, The Rest
Netmarble heralds Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross a "great success" as game surpasses 3 million downloads
Adventure RPG launched on mobile on March 3rd, 2020
Abra Used Teleport
Niantic postpones Pokemon GO community day and rolls out update to help self-isolation
One-time in-game purchase of 30 Incense available for one PokeCoin
Online-only Event
BAFTA Game Awards goes digital to avoid coronavirus spread
Event was due to take place on April 2nd
"unpatentable"
Nintendo claims victory over mobile accessories firm Gamevice in patent dispute
Lawsuit began in May 2018
Event
Life after esports and growing your games business - FREE online panel sessions
The KAST Sessions in association with PGC Digital, 18th & 19th March
Get Your Rewards
Game of Thrones Beyond The Wall welcomes one million pre-registrations to the Nights Watch
It launches on March 26th for iOS
Event Down
BitSummit cancelled over coronavirus concerns
Due to run in May
Lego Super Mario
Update: LEGO reveals new Super Mario playset with interactive Mario toy
No definite price or release date yet
Rising Up
ByteDance's Combat of Hero secures the most iOS downloads in Japan for four consecutive days
Was originally released in December 2019
E3 Drama
Microsoft and Ubisoft are looking at digital events to replace E3
As are EA, Devolver and Limited Run Games
Crossover
Roblox partners with BBC Studios on Doctor Who in-game items
Available for a limited time
$10 Billion Valuation
Report: Magic Leap looking to sell off its business
Medical firm Johnson & Johnson reportedly interest
First Approvals Of 2020
China approves 27 games including Brawl Stars, Super Mario Odyssey and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
16 mobile games, six PC games and five console games
"minimise The Risk"
Glu Mobile restricts travel for employees and embraces remote working amidst coronavirus
Disney Sorcerer's Arena and MLB Tap Sports Baseball 2020 on schedule
$1.3 Million Salary
Activision Blizzard appoints Google veteran Daniel Alegre as new COO
"Activision Blizzard is at an exciting point in its history"
Digital Age
GDC to stream cancelled sessions via Twitch
Due to take place next week
Discount Ends
LAST CHANCE to save up to $275 on tickets to Pocket Gamer Connects Seattle 2020
Early Bird prices for May’s two-day B2B games industry conference ends at midnight TONIGHT!
Play Games!
More than 50% of gamers would rather play games than watch TV
Mobile is the favoured platform
Engaging
The synergetic nature of offerwalls and rewarded video ads
Tapjoy's research sees a 114% revenue boost
Out Of Service
Square Enix to shut down its mobile RPG Kou-Kyou-Sei Million Arthur
Service stops on May 12th
Esports Competition
Skillz reveals its top-earning mobile esports players of the decade
Seven of them a female
End Of An Era?
Update: ESA officially cancels E3 2020 as coronavirus looms
E3 2021 to return as a "reimagined event"
Merging
Game development agency Amber and independent studio Scorpius Games are merging
It wants to further its PC and console expertise
Player Known
PUBG Corp chief Kim Chang-han takes top job at Krafton Game Union
Amid rumours of company going public
Event
Rovio, King, Super Evil Megacorp, and Boomzap to speak next month as part of the first Pocket Gamer Connects Digital conference
The first of 40+ international experts confirmed for online-only games industry event debut
Youtube And Bilibili
Cocos Game Developers Connect online conference unveiled for March 18th
Speakers include Google, iDreamSky, Fundamentally Games and more
Limited Promotion
Starbucks' new AR game Starlands will give away 2.5 million real-world different prizes
Promotion only available in the US and Canada
Go West
Fallout Shelter Online potentially revealed for the West, pre-registrations open
Philippines App Store points to April launch
Mar10 Day
Mario Kart Tour topped mobile downloads for Nintendo in 2019
App Annie data provided to celebrate Mario day
A Good Cause
Google Play opens up donations for coronavirus relief efforts on its store
100 per cent of donations go to the cause
Sayonara Self Publishing
Indie developer Simogo signs publishing deal with Annapurna Interactive
They worked together on Sayonara Wild Hearts
Artomatix Acquisition
Unity Technologies acquires AI specialist Artomatix
For an undisclosed sum
Event Disruption
Game Connection America 2020 is postponed due to coronavirus concerns
The event was due to happen next week in San Francisco
Data Deal
Digital Development Management acquires Digi-Capital's data platform
No value placed on the deal just yet
"back In Business"
2K Games and NFL announce multi-year partnership to develop "non-simulation football experiences"
Partnership renewed for the first time since 2004
Event
Introducing Pocket Gamer Connects Digital - a new virtual conference for the games industry
Online talks, meetings and pitch events, accessible to all, April 6-10
Back Of The Net
Google and Adidas partner for smart insoles that track performance in FIFA Mobile
Utilising the software goes towards FIFA Ultimate Team.
Todd!
Bethesda Game Studios' Todd Howard will keynote Develop:Brighton 2020
First speakers announced too
Disrupted
Star Trek Timelines developer Disruptor Beam suffers layoffs
Estimated 10 employees let go
Reality Gacha
Reality Gaming Group partners with Nagemon to bring gacha to Reality Clash
Pushing further into Japan with new mechanic
Kick Ass, Take Names
Reggie Fils-Aimé appointed to Gamestop board of directors
William Simon and James Symancyk join too
Job News
Sumo Digital appoints new director of excellence and integration
Plus a new studio director at Sumo Sheffield
Restrictions
A parlimentary committee in Australia is calling for loot box restrictions
One of six recommendations
Games Are Innocent
American Psychological Association maintains games aren't tied to violence
Violence "stems from many factors"
Slingshots Return
Rovio soft-launches Angry Birds Casual in the US for "early market testing"
Finland, Poland and Sweden too
Fundraising 101
Update: PlatinumGames' The Wonderful 101: Remastered smashes initial goal, fights its way to $2.2 million
Former Wii U title now making its way to Switch