Another World
Black Desert Mobile launches on iOS and Android globally
$1 billion franchise arrives on mobile devices
Staff
Matthew Forde
About Matthew Forde is the deputy editor at PocketGamer.biz and also a member of the Pocket Gamer Podcast. You can find him on Twitter @MattForde64 talking about stats, data and everything pop culture related - particularly superheroes.
Articles by Matthew Forde
Big Numbers
Google Play handled 2 billion MAUs and 115 billion downloads in 2019
The most popular distribution store ever
Acquisition
Playrix acquires Serbian game studio Eipix Entertainment
“With over a decade of experience, the team of Eipix Entertainment has proven to be one of the most talented teams on the market”
Super Jump
Nintendo's stock price jumps to 19-month high following China Switch launch
Console is region-locked however
Live And Kicking
Angry Birds’ unexpected decade-long success
From iOS to celebrity status to film:
Happy Holidays
US Black Friday mobile game spending up 25% to $70 million
A new record
Growth Curve
Wildlife Studios secures $60 million investment to focus on talent acquisition
Brazilian outfit on the rise
Eye To Eye
Niantic and Qualcomm sign multi-year deal for AR gaming tech
Qualcomm’s XR2 tech meets Niantic Real World Platform
Downsizing
Update: Gameloft confirms UK studio closure and Brisbane branch layoffs
"We are working with all employees, on a case by case basis, to find the best way to handle their situation in accordance with local employment regulations"
Job News
Scopely hires Daniel Freireich as President, Games
New London office announced alongside
Into The Unknown
Why Jam City believes Frozen Adventures isn't just another tie-in
“This is a game for fans and avid casual gamers alike”
Changes
EA DICE veteran Magnus Holmström joins MAG Interactive
Takes up new head of production role
Wizards Disband
Harry Potter: Wizards Unite is already in sharp decline
Just $22 million in lifetime revenue
Job News
Sega Europe’s John Clark joins Tencent Europe as VP publishing
20-year industry veteran
Coming At You Live
Tencent partners Chinese live streaming platform Chushou.tv
Users will be able to stream games from Tencent’s library
Churning
Mobile games uninstalled 34% more than apps
So says the latest AppsFlyer report
Indie Spotlight
Seawolf Studios on starting out as an indie developer straight out of university
Newcastle-based studio is headed up by a two-man development team
You Have My Sword
Pokemon Sword and Shield outsells Let’s Go, Pikachu/Eevee in Japan
Dual release took less than two weeks to overtake its predecessor
Anticipated
Black Desert Mobile picks up 4 million pre-registrations pending December launch
Franchise has already made $1 billion in gross sales
It’s Over 9000
Dragon Ball Z: Dokkan Battle does $2 billion in revenue
Fighter makes $1 billion in 19 months
In The Flow
Genvid Technologies raises $27 million to fund new streaming engine
Building more tools
Sweet Success
Candy Crush Soda Saga surpasses $2 billion in lifetime revenue
410 million downloads in over five years
Play Your Cards Right
Gwent mobile made up 68% of CD Projekt Red's revenue following launch
Witcher 3 card game is due to arrive on Android in Q1 2020
Welcome
16 international mobile games including World of Warships Blitz approved for China
Also Dengeki Bunko and Naruto - Next Generations
Anger Mis-management
Rovio launches anger-powered Angry Birds venting machine in Time Square
Yell, punch or shake the machine for a prize
Still Growing
Roblox grosses $1 billion in mobile revenue
From 290 million downloads
New Owners
Funko Pop Blitz and Payday: Crime War's soft launches stopped as NBCUniversal hands over to new publishers
Part of game publishing division’s closure
Jobs In Games
A career as long as the games industry: Team 17's Max Everingham
All about the people
Streaming Up
Google issues statement over games not playing at 4K and 60 FPS
Improvements expected
Limited Time
Call of Duty: Mobile brings back the dead with Zombies mode
Classic map Shi No Numa makes its debut on mobile
In The Cloud
Cloud-based games service AirConsole raises $3 million in Series A
Claims over five million players
Joy
London’s pop-up Pokemon Centre will return in 2020
Will stay open over the duration of Pokemon World Championships 2020
Access Granted
Google finally fulfils Stadia Founders Edition orders
Three days of confusion
Going Global
Following US early access, Minecraft Earth hits 2.5 million downloads
1.4 million installs since arrival in the US on November 12th
More Cash
Skillz raises funding from NFL's 32 Equity investment arm
Former Airbnb chief financial officer Laurence Tosi has also been appointed to the board of directors
Sensor Tower
Google Stadia’s mobile app has been downloaded 175,000 times
US residents made up close to 42 per cent of the overall number
Bugtastic
Seriously launches Best Fiends Stars as franchise crosses $285 million in revenue
First release since Playtika acquisition
Streaming Wars
Amazon reportedly launching game streaming service in 2020
Looking for Twitch integration
Gigantamax
Selling 6 million, Pokemon Sword and Shield is Nintendo’s fastest-selling Switch game
Includes physical and digital copies
Foresight
Dead Cells' Steve Filby on why you need to design games with an audience in mind
Think about what you’re going to build before you build it
Easy Money
Chartboost launches advertising bidding program Helium
More options for in-game advertising
Awards Season
Call of Duty, Sayonara Wild Hearts and Grindstone lead The Game Awards 2019 mobile nominations
Event will take place on December 12th, hosted by Geoff Keighley
Mobile Leads The Way
Soaring to over $4 billion, southeast Asia is the fastest-growing games market
Up 14% in 2019
Storming
Pokemon Sword and Shield sold 1.3 million copies in Japan within first three days
Third biggest UK launch in Nintendo’s history
Keep It Lean
Turkish startup Dream Games raises $7.5 million for mobile puzzle titles
Makers Fund leads the round
Hex-o World
Location-based Catan: World Explorers mobile game using Niantic's Real World Platform
Pre-registration now live
I Have Spoken
Roblox partners with Disney for Star Wars Winter Creator Challenge
Players can earn limited-edition virtual items inspired by the new Star Wars film
Bulking Up
Google Stadia launches today after doubling games library last-minute
10 additional games added, including NBA 2K20, Trials Rising and Wolfenstein Youngblood
On The Up
Majority mobile developer InnoGames surpasses $1 billion in revenue
Hardcore success
On And On
Geoff Keighley’s Opening Night Live returns for Gamescom in 2020
Cologne repeating