Super Squad
Squad Busters is out now! Supercell finally launches a new game
Squad Busters marks Supercell’s first game in over five years to reach global release
Staff
Aaron Astle
Job Title
News Editor
About Aaron is the News Editor at PG.biz and has an honours degree in Creative Writing.
Having spent far too many hours playing Pokémon, he's now on a quest to be the very best like no one ever was...at putting words in the right order.
Articles by Aaron Astle
Super Squad
Squad Busters releases globally tomorrow… But is it REALLY the next big thing?
Supercell’s sixth mobile game is almost here but as it gears for launch, how's the future hit performing?
Release Date Revealed
Zenless Zone Zero July 4th release date confirmed as pre-registrations surpass Honkai: Star Rail’s
When HoYoverse has a new game, everyone takes notice, and a July 4th release date for its latest RPG is sooner than we thought
Hot Five
Hot Five: Disney x Fortnite, Sega’s sonic speed, and a potential Keywords Studios buyout
Our quick-fix roundup of the hottest stories on PocketGamer.biz
Five New Games
New release roundup: The best new mobile games from the potently papery to an RPG parody
We highlight five new games that have broken cover and are all set to do big business
Eager Experience
NetEase’s Once Human opens up mobile pre-registrations after 13 million on PC
Once Human will be a "seamless" cross-play experience on PC and mobile
Backend Burnout
Top mobile devs spend a "startling" $21 million on game backends
A Metaplay survey finds that deploying game developers to backend development leads to higher crunch rates and staff turnover
Super Sonic
Sega reaches financial targets one full year ahead of schedule in record fiscal year
Sega’s revenues and profits were the highest in 10 years in FY2023
Sega Strategy
Rovio, ratings, global expansion: Sega CEO Haruki Satomi reveals plans for FY2024
Sega reveals plans to leverage Rovio’s European success, bolster employee motivation, and grow its IP
Record Revenue
Bandai Namco’s sales soar while profits plummet, as mobile hardly gets a mention
Record net sales were achieved in fiscal year 2024 but operating and recurring profits fell
Five New Games
New release roundup: The best new mobile games from a round of roguelikes to a Sonic surprise
We highlight five new games that have broken cover and are all set to do big business
Loads Of Layoffs
More Xbox cutbacks hit ZeniMax with only Microsoft’s mobile ventures now unscathed
Microsoft’s Alpha Dog, Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, and ZeniMax have all been impacted this week
Super Sonic
"Rovio x Sega" is real as Sonic Rumble enters closed beta May 24th
The first title from Sega and Rovio is appropriately on mobile and the latest in the on-going Sonic series
Sporting Score
Q4 FY24 was EA’s strongest for mobile, but it still only earned them $307 million
EA released 11 titles and over 600 content updates in its 2024 fiscal year but their big bucks are being made outside of mobile
Artificial Artistry
Krafton teases AI-developed games as "limited" voice actors, writers, and level designers get the boot
At least four new AI-derived games are on the way as Krafton seeks greater affordability and efficiency
Record Revenue
PUBG maker Krafton generated 60% of record-breaking $487.7m Q1 earnings from mobile
Mobile earnings totalled $294.6 million in the first quarter of the year, up 15.5%
Tiktok Troubles
TikTok files appeal over "unconstitutional" US divest-or-ban law
TikTok claims it cannot separate from ByteDance and any concerns could be addressed less restrictively
Brand Boost
New Angry Birds animated series arrives on Amazon Prime on May 21st
Angry Birds Mystery Island is the latest piece in Rovio's soaring multimedia strategy
Nintendo's Next
Nintendo releases first official statement on "the successor to Nintendo Switch"
The next console has finally been acknowledged, but details aren’t coming until later this fiscal year
Nintendo Numbers
Nintendo made $10.8 billion in FY24 with mobile and IP income up 81.6%
It’s been another successful year for Nintendo, but mobile victories are harder to find
Vibrant Victory
Goddess of Victory: Nikke reaches $750 million in 1.5 years
Shift Up is celebrating Goddess of Victory: Nikke’s latest milestone with new characters and free gacha pulls
Hot Five
Hot Five: Supercell’s Squad Busters supremacy, Brawl Stars bounces back, and a games industry journey at King
Our quick-fix roundup of the hottest stories on PocketGamer.biz
Merging And Moving
Q1 2024 saw $2.4 billion in games industry investments, while M&As are up for the first time since 2022
Disney’s investment in Epic Games is responsible for $1.5 billion of that $2.4 billion total
Five New Games
New release roundup: The best new mobile games from the morality of AI to Dadish’s 3D journey
We highlight five new games that have broken cover and are all set to do big business
Starting Strong
China’s game licence approvals are falling again, but don’t panic…
While month on month numbers are down, April 2024 saw 95 new domestic game licence approvals, more than the 86 granted in April 2023
Adding Ads
Roblox launches video ads, partnering with IAS to deliver transparent metrics
Advertisers can now use immersive video to promote to anyone over 13 in Roblox, with clear indicators from IAS coming soon
Brawling Boost
Brawl Stars has already earned more in 2024 than the entirety of 2023
Supercell's smash hit has recovered from a year-on-year decline with a strong start to the year
Loads Of Layoffs
Belka Games lays off 20% of workforce as it becomes "more critical" of future titles
At least 33 people have been let go, including a number of team leads
The Web3 Way
Supercell invests in web3 startup GFAL led by King, EA and Activision Blizzard veterans
GFAL has closed a $3.2 million seed funding round to grow its team and accelerate Elemental Raiders
Square The Circle
Square Enix warns of "extraordinary losses" ahead of upcoming financial report
A new, more selective approach will be taken to HD game development after $140.3 million in losses on axed projects
Honkai Hoorah
Honkai: Star Rail zooms beyond $1 billion on its first anniversary
Honkai: Star Rail generated $1.3 billion in its first 12 months, with 25% from 6% of players…
Platform Power
Supercell-backed HypeHype to give creators 100% of revenue from user-generated content
During the early access period, creators making games on HypeHype will earn all the net revenue from their creations
Dma Demands
EU ruling gives Apple six months to bring iPadOS into line with DMA demands
Apple’s iPadOS will be held to the same standards as the iPhone operating system after qualitative investigation
Building Bricks
Supercell CEO Ilkka Paananen joins LEGO’s board of directors days after Squad Busters’ soft launch
Ilkka Paananen and YouTube Studio’s director of product Ebi Atawodi were appointed on April 26th
A Soda Saga
King’s Paula Ingvar: a games industry journey from "I’m not worthy!" to Candy Crush Soda’s VP of product
Paula Ingvar moved from traffic engineering to the games industry following encouragement from friends and has "only ever found it stimulating"
Loads Of Layoffs
A Thinking Ape lays off staff across game design, software engineering, art teams and more
Layoffs continue to impact the games industry as restructuring persists in 2024
Hot Five
Hot Five: Supercell’s Squad Busters levels up, retro Nintendo on iOS, and Genshin Impact’s worst month yet
Our quick-fix roundup of the hottest stories on PocketGamer.biz
Five New Games
New release roundup: The best new mobile games from cartoony cats to sports stars
We highlight five new games that have broken cover and are all set to do big business
Monster Milestone
Monster Hunter Now reaches 15 million downloads
Monster Hunter Now reached 10 million installs in 35 days but its taken another six months to gain five million more
Do Tell, Hotel
Pokémon Sleep goes IRL with $1,800 hotel experience for fans
To coincide with the game’s first anniversary, Pokémon Sleep is partnering with the Grand Hyatt Tokyo
Emulation Sensation
Everyone loves Nintendo… Delta emulator hits 4.4 million downloads in its first week
Since Apple lifted its ban on retro emulators, playing Nintendo games on iOS has never been simpler… Or more free
Noncompete No More
FTC bans noncompete work clauses to encourage entrepreneurialism and higher pay
The ruling should bring about 8,500 new businesses per year and bolster innovation
Tiktok Troubles
It's bad day for TikTok as both the US and EU clamp down
TikTok faces a rewards programme ban in the EU and a complete ban in the US unless it sells up
Warzone Wobble
Call of Duty Warzone: Mobile generated 'just' $6.92 million in its first month
Meanwhile its predecessor Call of Duty: Mobile’s launch month brought in over six times as much at $44 million
Art Ascends
King’s Trevor Burrows on the power of art: "We could see our numbers literally dropping"
Farm Heroes Saga has a willingness to experiment but importantly listens to its fans so taking a U-turn back from a "fresh, more contemporary art style" proved to be a smart move
Honkai Hoorah
Honkai: Star Rail earned more than double Genshin Impact’s revenue in March
Honkai: Star Rail generated $118.3 million in-game on mobile compared to Genshin Impact’s $58.5 million
King Of King
Tjodolf Sommestad talks AI, tips for indie devs, and a day in the life of King's president
It's all about "collaboration, curiosity, and transparency." Plus plenty of data-driven decisions
Crushing It
AI joins the team at King: "Our challenge is to create the right amount of challenge"
A day at King: Using AI in harmony with experts to craft evergreen games with the perfect balance
Loads Of Layoffs
Kwalee layoffs impact up to 10% of workforce, report claims
Kwalee has laid off up to 40 people as industry-wide job cuts continue
Brand Boost
Fallout Amazon series boosts Fallout Shelter downloads by 516%
Layer founder and CEO Rachit Moti discusses Fallout Shelter’s rise, including 384% daily revenue rise