Deadly Game
The Chinese government is backing a new virus killing game
It is available on WeChat and Douyin
It's Alive
HQ Trivia has seemingly risen from the dead
A new potenital acquisition appeared over the weekend
Stand Together
Kickstarter has become one of the first major tech companies in the US to unionise
It has joined forces with the Office and Professional Employees International Union
Love It Go
Paper Games' Love Nikki Dress Up Queen scores first official Disney crossover in the West
Elex-published dress up game will feature dresses from the Frozen movies
A Bigger Share
Kwalee pays out $1.3 million in staff bonuses through profit share scheme
Launched in October 2018
Anime And Animation
Activision Blizzard co-president leaks Diablo and Overwatch series in the works for Netflix
Nick van Dyk profile details both shows are planned
Second Collaboration
Ride & Crash Games partners with Swedish death metal band Amon Amarth for 8-bit mobile game
Amon Amarth - Berserker Game launches on Friday
Smarter Sales
Unity tweaks its accounting methods prior to rumoured IPO
Reallocating sales from Finland to US
Cash And Stock
Embracer Group snaps up Saber Interactive in deal worth $525 million
"Saber has been on our radar for a very long time"
Spread The Love
Google Stadia is adding support for Samsung, Razer, and Asus devices
More than 20 Android mobiles will support the platform
Aided Advertising
Adjust launches new feature to simplify mobile advertisement
The control centre is part of the Adjust Automate suite
Winning Rights
Report: Google paid $160 million for Activision Blizzard esports streaming rights
It covers Hearthstone, Overwatch, and Call of Duty
Boomshakalaka
Nifty Games signs licensing deal with NBA for its first game
Expect NBA stars, venues, and teams in Nifty's "quick-session, head-to-head" debut
Prime Candidate
Retro Studios takes on Super Lucky's Tale and DC Universe Online designers
One of several hires the Texas-based studio has made recently
80 Million Devices
Update: Apple sales expected to fall due to iPhone production delay from coronavirus
Sales target likely not to be met
Stock Shortage
Nintendo Switch global production output hit by coronavirus
China outbreak affecting Vietnam assembly
Bird Bonanza
Rovio and Duolingo partner for crossover promotion in Angry Birds 2
In-app appearances, rewarded videos and character crossover
Growing Ambition
Report: TikTok owner ByteDance expected to name Yan Shou as head of games
Currently overseeing strategy and investment unit
Indies
Want to demo your game to the global games industry at Pocket Gamer Connects Seattle - FREE?
Applications now open for new 2020 initiative supporting indies in the games industry
Fast Money
Sonic the Hedgehog movie sprints to nearly $60 million in its first three days
The film was released on February 14th
Never Take Our Freedom
Forces of Freedom closes down F2P version to avoid financial difficulties
An offline premium version will be released
Show Must Go On
GDC 2020 will go ahead with heavy restrictions for Chinese companies
The firms will need to send a North American representitive if they still wish to take part
Most Read
Hot Five: PUBG Mobile makes $176 million, Supercell isn't about the money, and Rovio soft-launches Angry Birds Tennis
The hottest articles of last week
Talking Heads
Bungie, Sony, The Pokémon Company and 9GAG confirmed to speak at Big Screen Gaming Seattle 2020
First speakers revealed for Pocket Gamer Connects’ partner event covering PC, console and XR
High Five
Google unveils first new Stadia games since launch
Panzer Dragoon: Remake, Serious Sam Collection, Spitlings and more
Expansion
Middle Eastern games publishing platform Tamatem locks $3.5 million in funding
Wamda led the backing
New Studio
Former Rovio and Dodreams execs close pre-seed investment round for Helsinki-based start-up Flowstate Games
Edvard Groundstroem will head up the studio as CEO
A Whole New World
Disney Sorcerer's Arena pre-registration opens ahead of global launch
Mickey Mouse, Ariel, Aladdin, Sully, and more feature
Making Of
Pivoting from Super Smash Bros. to Dark Souls: The making of Pascal's Wager
TipsWorks founder Yang Yang on the launch and production of its ambitious first game
Honking Success
Untitled Goose Game snatches Game of the Year at DICE Awards 2020
Mario Kart Tour claims Racing Game of the Year
E3 Confirmations
ESA confirms Nintendo and others for E3 2020 as Geoff Keighley chooses to skip
SEGA, Capcom, Bethesda, and more are still going
Big Indie Pitch
Dice become both enemy and friend as hypercasual title Dice Hard 3D wins The Big Indie Pitch at White Nights Amsterdam 2020
We reveal the top 3 from our first pitch on the road in 2020
Pre-registrations Open
Gwent: The Witcher Card Game conjures up a March release on Android
Was released on iOS in October 2019
Capacity Full
Microsoft's Project xCloud launches preview on iOS
The UK, US and Canada only
Expansion
Bit Fry Game Studios raises additional $3.5 million in funding
Xbox co-creator Ed Fries' 1Up Ventures led backing
Spend Up
Mobile gamers are a key target market for consumer brands
Results from Tapjoy's latest annual report
Sussed It
Nike chief Adam Sussman becomes Epic Games president
Sussman also spent two years as Zynga senior VP of global publishing
Magic Number
Update: Shadowgun War Games rolls out worldwide following one million pre-registrations
Doubled in less than a month
Event Axed
Mobile World Congress 2020 cancelled due to "global concern" of coronavirus
"Impossible for the GSMA to hold the event"
Discount Ends
Last chance to save up to $375 on tickets to Pocket Gamer Connects Seattle 2020
Super Early Bird discounts for May's 2-day games industry event ends at midnight TONIGHT!
Big Indie Pitch
The Very Big Indie Pitch returns to Seattle for Pocket Gamer Connects Seattle 2020
Pocket Gamer Connects returns to Seattle, and with it comes The Very Big Indie Pitch too
Spil It
Azerion fully acquires Spil Games
It purchased the company's mobile division last year
Most Downloaded
Johnny Trigger racked up the most downloads in January 2020
SayGames had two titles in the top five
Trust Issues
Nintendo severs all ties with website responsible for Pokemon Sword and Shield leaks
FNintendo admits fault and apologises
Moving In
Former PlayStation boss Andrew House joins in-game ads firm Bidstack's advisory board
A "pinch yourself moment" for CEO James Draper
Games For All
Emily Greer's new mobile game studio Double Loop raises $2.5 million seed round
LVP and 1Up Ventures lead
Pikachu, We're Home
Update: Pokemon Home rolls out on mobile and Switch for $15.99 a year
Free version offers 30 Pokemon while premium goes up to 6,000
Hatch-ing A Plan
Rovio refocusing mobile streaming service Hatch to save $6.5 million in 2020
Hatch cost the firm $11.8 million in 2019
South Korea Exclusive
NCSoft's Lineage 2 M generates $152 million in three months
$97.60 average revenue per download
Project Xcloud
Microsoft and Samsung team up for "cloud-based game streaming"
Forza Street simultaneously announced for Galaxy devices