Funding News
Cheer Games raises $4.5m pre-seed to build puzzle franchises
The studio plans to use the funding to develop new puzzle titles and expand its Barcelona team
Staff
Isa Muhammad
Job Title
MENA Reporter
About Isa Muhammad is the Lead MENA Reporter at PocketGamer.biz, spearheading the team's Middle East & Africa games coverage. He's been in games media for over seven years and is steadily writing his way to the sharp end of journalism. If he's not reading, playing games or catching up on his favorite TV shows, he's probably writing about them.
Articles by Isa Muhammad
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New Offerings
Roblox launches AI-powered chat system that automatically rephrases inappropriate messages
The feature replaces blocked text with more respectful language while preserving the original meaning
New Offerings
Pitchify launches Pitch Direct to make pitching to publishers more transparent
The platform allows publishers to set clear criteria including budget, platform, genre and timelines
New Offerings
Mistplay launches Playtime Events to deepen engagement in rewarded ads
The new reward model blends time-based incentives with event-driven milestones
Buyout Concerns
AppsFlyer halts $1.9bn sale talks after private equity bidders seek revised terms
Talks with Apollo and Fortissimo Capital broke down as market pressure weighed on software company valuations
Company Restructure
nDreams proposes restructuring with 78 roles at risk and two studios set to close
VR developer plans to close Near Light and Compass studios
New Offerings
Ofcom invites small games studios to workshop on navigating regulation
Regulator seeks feedback from early-stage developers on compliance challenges
New Offerings
Former PlayStation and Xbox hiring lead launches Rocket Game Talent
New boutique firm aims to help studios scale hiring operations
Market Report
Mobile games host three times more malicious ads than other apps says AppHarbr
One in every 58 ads in mobile games is malicious, AppHarbr report finds
Acqusitions
Open World acquires Drope.me to scale creator-driven games marketing
Acquisition expands Open World’s ability to run large-scale creator campaigns
Security Review
Report: Trump administration reviews Tencent gaming investments over security concerns
Officials are assessing whether the company’s investments pose potential national security risks.
Job News
Beyond The Pixels strengthens leadership ahead of its debut title Astro Burn
Former Fnatic and GIANTX CEO Wouter Sleijffers joins the studio as chief operating officer
Policy Shift
Unity Asset Store to remove content from developers in Greater China region
The change affects developers based in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau
Tiga Stands Firm
TIGA calls on the UK government to strengthen the Video Games Expenditure Credit in the upcoming Autumn Budget
Proposed reforms include raising the VGEC rate and expanding qualifying expenditure to 100%
Funding News
Istanbul-based Vento Games secures $4m to scale family-friendly mobile puzzle portfolio
Funding will support talent expansion and accelerate the rollout of new brain-building puzzle titles
Buyout Concerns
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos defends decision to walk away from Warner Bros. Discovery bid
“It should be highly scrutinised the way I’m glad that ours was highly scrutinised”
Industry Outlook
Metacore CEO says 2026 will define mobile gaming’s next era
Mika Tammenkoski says 2026 could redefine mobile gaming as the industry emerges from decline and moves toward a more mature, disciplined operating model
Layoff News
Halfbrick confirms layoffs as part of internal restructuring amid wider industry pressures
The Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride developer says strategic priorities, not performance, drive changes
Game Contest
Hypixel Studios and CurseForge launch $100,000 modding contest for Hytale creators
Each core category features a $27,000 prize pool, with $10,000 awarded to first place
Environmental Impact
ZeptoLab and PlanetPlay bring climate action into Bullet Echo for World Wildlife Day
Special $5 and $15 bundles tie in game progression to environmental support
Funding News
Minit Games raises $2m to bring instant play gaming into the feed era
Startup prepares for invite-only early alpha following pre-seed round
New Offerings
Krafton sets a new corporate vision built around bold imagination and global franchise growth
The publisher reaffirms its commitment to AI-driven tools to enhance both development workflows and player experiences
Job News
Sixteen Tons appoints former Wooga VP creative Sebastian Nußbaum as chief creative officer
He joins amid renewed momentum for Emergency HQ, working alongside CEO Jan Richter
Leadership Change
GDAI expands leadership to deepen policy engagement across India’s games sector
The move targets global competitiveness through policy and talent reform
New Offerings
Türkiye backs games studios with array of new incentives and financial support
Mobile studios can access up to 50% support on user acquisition and marketing spend
Market Growth
Over 95,000 mobile games were downloaded every minute in 2025
New Sensor Tower report shows retention and monetisation now matter more than raw installs
New Offerings
New kids gaming hub Netflix Playground soft-launches in the Philippines
Netflix Playground offers ad-free minigames at no extra cost to subscribers
Leadership Change
Gamefam appoints Ricardo Briceno as CEO to drive its next growth phase
Founder Joe Ferencz transitions to a strategic growth and innovation role
Investment News
Replay Global backs Vietnam-based Playard to scale its mobile games portfolio
Playard to remain independent following undisclosed investment
Industry Growth
Cyprus games industry forms new trade association CYGMA
Founding members include Wargaming, Gaijin, Owlcat, My.Games and Helio Games
New Partnerships
Bolt and Toffee sign strategic partnership to bring D2C payment services to games developers
The partnership is said to encompass more than $300 million in signed processing commitments
Strategic Investment
Tencent reportedly in talks to take small stake in Block Blast! developer Hungry Studio
Discussions have reportedly been ongoing for months, with a deal potentially imminent
New Offerings
Saga and Etermax partner to launch AI-powered social agent for Trivia Crack mascot Willy
Saga positions character-driven AI as a new distribution and user acquisition channel
Crossovers
Scopely brings Hello Kitty and Friends to Monopoly Go in limited-time crossover
The Sanrio collaboration runs from March 10th to 29th across iOS and Android
Leadership Change
New Xbox leadership insists there's no top-down AI directive from Microsoft
Console remains central to Xbox’s identity despite multi-platform publishing shifts
Marvellous Mena
Dubai Esports & Games Festival returns on May 8th as the city doubles down on its gaming ambitions
The festival blends esports tournaments, industry networking and community activities under Dubai’s digital economy strategy
Company Blunder
Discord delays global age verification rollout to the second half of 2026 after user backlash
The company admits it failed to clearly explain how the verification system would work
Funding News
Power Protocol secures $3m to scale blockchain ecosystem and accelerate Fableborne's development
Total ecosystem funding reaches $15.4m following Bitkraft’s latest investment
Esports Nations Cup
PUBG Mobile joins the Esports Nations Cup 2026 as its 16th competitive title
The national team showdown will take place in Riyadh from November 2nd to 29th, 2026.
Marvellous Mena
"The market, both in MENA and at a global scale, is becoming increasingly competitive"
Steer Studios CEO Yannick Theler on recognition, building global IP from the KSA and balancing live service ambitions in MENA
Job News
Nexon appoints Patrick Söderlund as executive chairman effective immediately
The new structure sees Söderlund set strategy while CEO Junghun Lee drives execution
Child Safety
LA County sues Roblox over alleged child safety failures
Officials claim the platform exposes minors to grooming and sexual exploitation
Strategic Move
BidOn expands leadership and establishes board to advance open source ad tech
2026 roadmap includes publisher-focused ad tech resources
Giant Growing
Giant secures $8m to expand AI-powered storytelling for children
The startup aims to turn children's screen time into interactive, creative play
Job News
Krafton appoints Kangwook Lee as chief AI officer
He will oversee company-wide AI R&D and foundational tech roadmap
Studio Closure
Tencent closes TiMi Montreal studio after five years
Studio was founded in 2021 to build open-world multi-platform titles
New Offerings
ByteBrew launches AI-powered cross-promotion network to scale app portfolios
The platform enables developers to target high-value users within their own apps and move them across titles
New Offerings
Roblox launches Global Parent Council to strengthen family engagement and online safety oversight
The council includes 80 parents and caregivers from 32 countries across four regions
New Partnerships
Saudi Esports Federation partners with ROC Esports and Team Stallion to strengthen the Kingdom’s esports ambitions
The agreements centre on upskilling Saudi employees and athletes through programs delivered by the Saudi Esports Academy
New Partnerships
Savvy Games Group signs MoU with AUBH to strengthen student training in games and interactive entertainment
AUBH students will gain access to internships, studio visits and direct engagement with Savvy’s teams in Riyadh