Ai Arrives
SAG-AFTRA actors union signs AI deal, enabling voice replicas in games
The deal with Replica Studios will allow video game studios working with the company to access top SAG-AFTRA talent and use their voices in games
Business Opportunities
Deadline looms: Secure your spot for PG Connects London 2024 fringe events!
Don't miss this chance to take part in the unmissable opportunities at PG Connects London!
Pgc Stories
PGC Stories: "I'm grateful to the PGC community for all the support I got at their events"
Gamepack's Ruslan Zelenskyi and Threaks' Manny Hachey share their favourite PGC memories
Pocket Gamer Connects London: The Web3 Wonders and Future Formats tracks
Discover the technologies shaping the future and take your blockchain strategy to the next level on January 23rd
Brand Ability
Cooking Fever’s TGI Fridays crossover reached four million in two weeks
Nordcurrent and TGI Fridays have partnered to bring the restaurant chain in-game for 2024
Pgc London
Pocket Gamer Connects London 2024: The AI Advances track sponsored by Layer AI
Discover the future of AI creativity from art to scriptwriting and programming, this January 22nd
Monopoly Go, Go, Go!
Monopoly GO! topped 2023 download AND revenue charts in the US
Sensor Tower reveals the top performers of 2023, from mainstays like Pokémon Go to fresh contenders like Block Blast
Ceo Change
WildWorks CEO Clark Stacey steps down after 21 years
WildWorks is best known for 2010 Flash game Animal Jam which has reached 175 million players on browser and mobile
Sell Out
ByteDance to quit games? The company is in talks with Tencent over a possible sell off
The owners of TikTok are taking another step away from their gaming concerns with discussions of a possible sale to Tencent now in progress
Streaming Success
Video games dethroned as the UK’s top entertainment sector
Video streaming services such as Netflix have pushed video ahead of gaming in annual UK revenue
Early Bird Ends
Secure your place in San Francisco this March for the industry networking extravaganza!
Don't miss your chance to secure the best deals before prices rise this Thursday for PG Connects San Francisco, get yours before it’s too late
Job Losses
Unity to lay off 1,800 staff as it continues company reset
Redundancies amount to a quarter of its workforce
Second Round
Marvel Snap dev Second Dinner raises $100 million
Studio to invest in Marvel Snap live ops and new game development
Pgc London
Pocket Gamer Connects London 2024: The Ad Insights track sponsored by Verve Group
In-game ads remain central to many studios' monetisation strategy - join us on January 23rd to discover the latest trends and advice
Monster Milestone
20 years of Monster Hunter: Capcom celebrates two goliath decades in 2024
From humble origins to worldwide brand, from PS2 tech excitement to 3DS handheld, mobile and more, Monster Hunter has built up quite the legacy these past 20 years
New Launch
Apple Vision Pro - in store and available online from February 2, 2024
Apple's 'next big thing' broke cover in June 2023, now its launch date is set and you've a little less than a month so save up that $3,499…
Pgc London
Pocket Gamer Connects London 2024: The Monetiser track sponsored by AppsFlyer
Make the most of new advertising formats, IAPs and other monetisation developments in this focused track on January 22nd
Shiny And Supportive
Pokémon donates ¥50 million to support those impacted by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake
The January 1 earthquake has caused particular damage to Wajima, Suzu and Noto
Next For Netflix
Netflix considers new monetisation tactics for gaming arm
With so small a fraction of Netflix subscribers playing its games, the streaming giant reportedly looks to make more money from its efforts
The Only Way Is Up
Investment in and around the games industry dropped by 79% in 2023
While in America it dropped 86%… But with profits and share prices on the increase, is the scene now set for a bounceback?
Dead On Arrival
PlatinumGames pulls the plug on Apple Arcade exclusive World of Demons
Following a tortuous birth and first release, the game found a home on Apple Arcade. Now it's about to inexplicably vanish from existence
Honkai: Clothes Rail
"Nice in-game outfit - I'll take it!" Walmart and Unity team up for new in-app purchase API
Now developers can place real world items and offers in their apps and take a cut of the sale while Walmart delivers the goods
Growth Potential
U.S. consumer tech market eyes 2.8% growth, crossing the $512 billion mark in 2024
This marks a $14 billion increase from 2023 and indicates a rise in consumer spending on tech products and services.
Quids In
New Zealand devs hang onto 20% tax rebate perk after three-way-tie election
With a new three-way coalition government in place doubts had arisen as to how long the existing tax break could continue
Poker Face
Tencent is now spending over HK$1 billion A DAY on its own shares
Every cloud has a silver lining, and following its recent shareprice nosedive post legislative bombshell, the company is only accelerating its buybacks
Promotion Plan
Netmarble plans to appoint vice president Byung Gyu Kim as co-CEO this March
Byung Gyu Kim will rise to the role provided he is met with approval at the upcoming shareholders’ meeting
Podcast
Fluent's Matt Conlin talks game-changing user acquisition trends for 2024 | Podcast
The PocketGamer.biz podcast team and guests give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and and what's inside this week's episode…
Purchase Power
Tencent sells app store to Huya ahead of Chinese crackdown
Tencent has been selling up and parting ways with its animation company. Now an app store leaves its stable.
Recruitment Special
New Year, New Job 2024: Wanted: Your recruitment tips for 2024!
Got good advice for landing that dream job? We want to hear it! Our new campaign will hook up great employees with dream jobs. But we need you to be part of the action
Who's At The Show
A masterclass in gaming excellence: Gain insights from industry titans this month
Sharing knowledge and inspiring success: Learn from the masters at Pocket Gamer Connects London 2024, the premier gaming event of the year!
Antitrust Heat
Antitrust regulator hits Nexon Korea with record fine for deceptive practices
Meanwhile the company hits back, challenging the regulator's decision, claiming that its explanation has not been fully acknowledged
Kardashian Closure
Kim Kardashian: Hollywood removed from app stores with end of service in April
After almost a decade and millions successfully banked, Kim Kardashian’s mobile game is reaching the end of the road
Hyper Homa
Homa looks forward to 2024 as their catalogue surpasses 1.5 billion installs
Homa reflects on 2023 accomplishments from hires to installs to an expanded presence across platforms
Gacha Glimpse
Genshin Impact, Fate/Grand Order, Goddess of Victory: Nikke… How would the big gachas fare with a China ban?
As Chinese regulations scrutinise gacha mechanics, are the genre’s biggest players making enough elsewhere?
Passing The Buck
Top Chinese official removed following gaming crackdown confusion
Top publicity official Feng Shixin has been relieved of his duty after the release of work-in-progress tighter gaming regulations wiped $80 billion from top Chinese gaming stocks
Coo Comeback
Sega Europe brings back former president Jurgen Post amidst leadership changes
President and COO Gary Dale and chief studio officer Tim Heaton are departing from the studio
New Years Resolutions
Level up your game: Top 5 New Year's resolutions for success in the games industry
Elevate your game in the New Year with these top five resolutions for success in the dynamic world of the games sector
Appchievement
Chinese game licence approvals surpassed 1,000 in 2023 in return to form
The total more than doubled 2022’s approval numbers
App Authority
Japanese legislation looks to confront Apple and Google monopolies in 2024
New regulations could require both Apple and Google to allow alternate billing systems
Esport Support
Marcos Gaming completes pre-seed round to bolster Indian Esports
Funding from India Accelerator, Finvolve and SucSEED Ventures will support content creation, community growth and more
Startup Synergy
Unicorn Factory Lisboa opens The Gaming Hub in Portugal to support startup developers
Fortis Games has opened a Libson-based studio in partnership with the programme
New Year Goals
Square Enix promise greater globalisation and "aggressive" use of AI
Square Enix has begun 2024 with its familiar new year letter outlining the good and the bad and its global intentions ahead
Update
China's latest gaming crackdown: What's new and what it means for mobile's biggest game makers
The introduction of spending limits and bans on everything from regular login rewards to gacha gaming mechanics have thrown China's gaming giants into chaos
Best Of 2023
2023's Greatest Hits: Relive 2023's highs and lows with our 10 biggest stories of the year
Of all the shocks, surprises, bold claims, battles and bruisings that rocked the mobile games business through 2023 these are our top 10 stories that hit the hardest…
Job Losses
Versus Evil shuts down and lays off all 13 staff
News comes just weeks after GM announced departure
Tumble Guys
Tencent and NetEase lose $80 billion in market value as China cracks down on game monetisation tactics
New rules prohibit daily login rewards, first-time purchase bonuses and rewards for repeat spend
Podcast
Zynga’s Yaron Leyvand on the secret to making a “forever franchise” | Podcast
In the final podcast of 2024 the PocketGamer.biz podcast team speak to Zynga's Yaron Leyvand about the company's incredible journey - from Farmville to forever franchises
Positive Momentum
Trinity Gaming India, Lenovo, Intel, and YouTube join forces to bolster the Indian creator economy
Partnered creators will collaborate to produce content and participate as a team in BGMI, Valorant, and CSGO battles.
New Partnerships
Naraza Technologies snags deals with four developers as it ramps up new publishing arm
Nazara intends to release around 20 games across mobile, web3, VR, and PC platforms over the next 12 to 18 months
Platform Power
Tencent is advertising DreamStar on ByteDance platforms in competition with NetEase
After a fierce rivalry, Tencent and ByteDance are finally warming up to one another