Ai Integration
Kinetix launches its $1 million fund initiative to accelerate AI-UGC in games
The AI emote creators will offer selected developers up to $75,000 to bring its user-generated emote technology to their games
Big-form Investment
PUBG developer Krafton invests $89.5m in audio and short-form video streaming firm Spoon Labs
Deal represents publisher's largest investment in a non-gaming company
Funding News
Turkey's Cypher Games raises $10m to take on match-3 market filled with "too many average-quality titles"
Seed investment round led by The Raine Group
Podcast
Google lead shines a light on the games industry's top trends | Podcast
The PocketGamer.biz podcast team and guests give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and what's inside this week's episode…
India Insights
Why India's mobile gamers are more willing to spend in battle royale hits Battlegrounds Mobile and Free Fire
New report delves into player habits and market dynamics in the country
Portfolio Power Up
52 Entertainment welcomes "millions of new players" through Blackout acquisition
The casual games dev behind Word Search Quest and Bubble Shooter Rainbow joins 52 Entertainment’s portfolio
Philosophy Focused
Mother Games raises $5 million to fuel its games ambitions
Its debut title Le Zoo is veering away from "traditional mobile games that exploit the dopamine system to addict players"
Platform Power
Live ops platform Magify raises €1 million to enhance AI and reach new markets
Magify has raised further funds towards democratisation, product development and more
Esports Growth
Gosu Academy expands into the UAE to fuel esports growth
Esports coaching and education provider's existing presence in the Middle East will support the UAE's growing games community
Out Now
The Elder Scrolls: Castles is out now as a "spiritual successor" to Fallout Shelter
Bethesda’s latest game opts for simulation and in-app purchases over grand action RPGs
Deep Dissatisfaction
Ubisoft minority investor calls for new CEO, studio sales and company to go private
AJ Investments’ open letter to Ubisoft is concerned about Ubisoft’s reputation among gamers
Organic Opportunities
Empire Games will function as "new external team" after Huuuge Games investment
Huuuge sees potential in Empire to contribute to its organic growth
Game Regulations
Korea clears bill to regulate overseas gaming firms
The bill requires foreign game companies to appoint a domestic agent
Esports Growth
FPT Telecom and GAM Entertainment partner to elevate esports in Vietnam
The partnership will also pave the way for students to compete in local and international esports tournaments
Profit Plummet
Huuuge Games’ profits down 30.6% YoY but top games hit major milestones
Despite declines in revenue and profit this Q2 Huuuge Casino and Billionaire Casino both surpassed $2 billion in lifetime revenue
Ai Safety
SAG-AFTRA signs interim agreement with 80 games to ensure AI protections
By agreeing to the terms this will ensure that voice talent is appropriately protected
Release Reveal
Tencent’s upcoming RPG Honor of Kings: World set for 2025 release date
Spin-off set to launch across multiple platforms
New Iphone
iPhone 16 packs ‘30% better’ gaming performance
Apple claims new A18 chip runs 30% faster and with 30% less power than last-gen
Real Revenue
Roblox developers to earn real currency on PC later this year
Developers will be able to earn real currency directly rather than save and convert Robux
Ai-powered Games
Jabali launches AI game engine Project Makina in closed Beta
Project Makina is a generative AI tool suite designed to simplify the creation and publishing of games
Leading Into 2025
Save the date: Pocket Gamer Connects London is back on January 20th to 21st 2025
As we return to Pocket Gamer Connects London 2025, after two decades, we're gearing up to make it more exciting than ever
Closure Imminent
Dutch Game Garden is closing after 17 years
"In the coming months, several regular activities, such as the successful Network Lunches, will continue as planned," said managing director JP van Seventer
Week That Was
Minecraft makes it to the movies and Microsoft strikes at Apple | Week in Views
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
Fueling Expansion
In-game audio advertising platform Odeeo secures $5 million funding round for global expansion
The new funds will aid with expansion in key markets such as North America, Asia and the MENA region
Games Industry Service
Hub and Spoke Games launches to offer specialist games business development services
The new agency has been founded by industry veteran Chris Buckley and offers a range of services
New Game Launch
Card roguelike Balatro is coming to iOS and Android this month
For iOS users Balatro will be included as part of the Apple Arcade subscription
Tag Team
Brawl Stars teams up with WWE star John Cena to kick off its SpongeBob SquarePants collaboration
The collaboration sets in motion the celebration of SpongeBob SquarePants 25th anniversary with an in-game takeover of the hit Supercell game
New Trailer
FAU-G Domination pre-registrations go live on Android
The Dot9 Games developed title aims to meet the demand of Indian gamers who desire locally relevant content
Mena Region
Saudi Arabia's PIF to transfer gaming Stocks to Savvy Games Group
The PIF will remain a collaborative partner once the transfer is completed
New Partnerships
AppsFlyer partners with Unity to launch privacy Sandbox on Android Solution for marketers
The platform introduces tools that enable personalised advertising without relying on user or device IDs
Meet The Media
Meet the Pocket Gamer editorial team at PGC Helsinki’s Journalist Bar
Get the word out about your game and instant feedback by speaking with the experienced journalists at PocketGamer.com
Podcast
TapNation’s tips for 1bn downloads in under five years with CMO, Vincent Février | Podcast
The PocketGamer.biz podcast team and guests give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and what's inside this week's episode…
Tech Giants Feud
Microsoft claims App Store’s 30% fee “makes it impossible” to monetise its cloud gaming service
"The 30% fee imposed by Apple on IAPs is the result of a lack of competition in the distribution of native iOS apps"
Signed Deal
Tencent’s Lightspeed LA studio signs SAG-AFTRA deal to work with striking members
Developer can now employ performers from the organisation for current and future projects
Minecraft Movie
Minecraft Movie starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa gets its first trailer
The film is set to finally arrive in April 2025 after a decade in the works
Stepping Up
Disney Step brings the House of Mouse into location-based AR gaming
New Drecom-developed title looks set for Japan-only release
Stock Drop
Ubisoft shares fall to 10-year low
This appears to be related to the muted reception to Star Wars Outlaws
Masterclass
Last chance to register for today's free Game Economy Design MasterClass webinar
Grab your ticket now for today's big webinar and learn all about game economy balance and building sustainable long-term engagement
Milestone
Coin Master hits the jackpot with $6 billion in revenue
The US is the largest contributor to the game's revenue, amassing $2.4 billion in player spending
New Approvals
China licences 117 new games for domestic release bringing this year's approvals to 850 titles
The NPPA has now licensed 850 domestic video game titles in the first eight months of 2024
Pre-registration Milestone
Cosy open-world adventure Infinity Nikki surpasses 14 million pre-registrations
Sign-ups for the Closed Beta Test of Infinity Nikki are now open
Missing In Action
The curse of Kingdom Hearts: Why can't anything ever go right for Square Enix's beloved franchise?
Square Enix have pulled Kingdom Hearts Union X Dark Road from App Stores leaving fans in the dark as to why
Tax Breaks
HMRC’s Video Games Tax Relief has paid £1.48 billion to UK games companies since 2014
Plus, in a revision of previous figures, £257 million was paid out in 2021-22, up from the £189 million initially reported
Connection Hazard
Resident Evil mobile ports now require internet connection to play
Developer Capcom claimed requirement was due to "changes to the startup process"
Studio Expansion
Sandsoft moves up in Barcelona with a new office for its growing team
"This marks a significant milestone in our journey to becoming a leading game publisher and developer"
Final Call
Square Enix to shut down Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius after $900m in revenue
“It would be difficult to continue maintaining the app experience”
Leadership Change
Games Done Quick names Matt Merkle as new majority owner
"It's time for new leaders to steer the course," said GDQ founder Mike Uyama
Layoffs
Tilting Point sheds another 90 roles - 20% of their staff
Despite big name deals and prime and popular IP the company joins a long list unable to weather the current games downturn
Financials
New games and apps business growth drives Lords Mobile dev IGG to $42m profit in H1 2024
Strategy games Doomsday: Last Survivors and Viking Rise push company to growth
Web3 Woes
Zynga sells up and backs out of web3 project Sugartown
Is this the end of the line for the game giant's web3 plans? Zygna has divested itself of all Sugartown assets as new company D20 takes control