Gaming Trends
Brazil passes new bill to bolster its video games industry
The new legal framework updates the definition of electronic games to include formats such as mobile apps, web pages, and VR
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
Gaming Trends
Dubai launches new Gaming Visa as part of 2033 vision
The UAE city aims to unite content creators by providing employment and training opportunities
Esports In Africa
Carry1st's African Cup to feature Call of Duty: Mobile tournament with $15,000 prize pool
The competition will feature esports teams from Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa
Studio Closure
Paladin Studios closes its doors after 19 years
Over the years, co-developer Paladin has collaborated with giants such as Nintendo, Apple Arcade, Netflix, Zeptolab, and Bandai Namco
Earnings Report
Apple's AI plans trigger $110 billion stock buyback despite declining sales
While the company's latest results show a 10% decline in iPhone sales worldwide, Apple are bullish on what's coming next
Job News
Ex-Zynga COO Matthew Bromberg is Unity's new CEO
Games veteran Bromberg will step into the role of CEO at Unity from Wednesday, May 15th 2024
Gaming Trends
TIGA's 10-point plan for 2024 aims to boost UK games industry
The proposed initiatives include new tax credits, a games accelerator, an investment fund, and skills programs, with the potential to create 2,660 development jobs by 2028
Acqusitions
Phoenix Games acquires live operations studio PopReach Games India
Phoenix will now assume control of an extensive collection of free-to-play games, totaling over 420 million downloads to date
New Partnerships
Man City and Norway striker Erling Haaland joins Clash of Clans
"I've been a huge fan of the game for a long time and know everything about it," says Haaland
Game Creation
Arkadium extends distribution network to all developers
Industry veteran Dan Butchko also joins as director of developer relations to foster external partnerships
Interview
ESL FACEIT and Qiddiya Gaming discuss establishing gaming district in the KSA amidst MENA growth
"We’re not afraid to imagine the future and we’re willing to take risks to be the best in the world"
Jobs In Games
Fingersoft's welcoming culture draws international talent
The company currently has 118 employees, of which 20% are international staff
Job News
GEM Capital appoints three new advisory board members
This will shape the future of gaming investing for many years to come," said GEM Capital’s managing director Roman Gurskiy
Interview
Nifty Craft founder Vince Ghossoub on making a card battler MMO and growth in the MENA region
"Nifty Craft utilises state of the art technology and is innovating in-game design, what more can I ask for"
Searching For Success
Meta's VR/AR woes continue with new $3.8 billion loss
The company's VR vision remains out of focus and a pivot to AI isn't going to deliver a big win any time soon
Pokemon Price Hike
Pika fight… Pokémon Go just put prices up 1300% in Turkey
The move comes as a counter measure, ending months of location spoofing, robbing Niantic from earnings elsewhere… But at what cost?
New Game Launch
Tencent's Dungeon and Fighter mobile game will launch in May
Following a closed test involving 300,000 players the game is now set for prime time
Gaming Trends
Carv raises $10M series A to simplify data monetization for gamers
Carv has been profitable since December 2023 with a monthly revenue surpassing $1 million
Mena Investment
Maysalward, Tamatem and Nifty Craft CEOs on Savvy Games Group's KSA and MENA investment
A trio of MENA's prime movers believe that investment can drive innovation “by working together, sharing resources, and leveraging each other's strengths."
Tiktok Ban
ByteDance on the clock as Biden signs TikTok ban bill into law
TikTok CEO Shou Chew says it is “A ban on TikTok and a ban on you and your voice”
Jobs In Games
Cécile Russeil takes the helm at Ubisoft as EVP of comms, DEI, HR, and legal
With over three decades of experience at the company following pivotal leadership roles could she be the one to finally settle Ubisoft's unrest?
Mena Month
"Gaming in MENA is just starting. Investment will bring more attention to the region and create more opportunities"
Tamatem Games' CEO Hussam Hammo explains the state of play for MENA and how the region is set to surge ahead
Jobs In Games
Raptor PR welcomes James Law as PR director for new B2C drive
Law will play a pivotal role in helping Raptor PR establish its new consumer gaming PR division
Apple Vision Pro
Apple reins in Vision Pro plans following dwindling demand and disappearing apps
Apple have limited the supply of their headset following disappointing sales and the release of ONE new app in the last week of March
Investment Bounceback
Gaming startups are getting investor attention once again
More than $260 million has been invested globally in early-stage rounds through Q1 2024
Mena Games Awards 2024
Pocket Gamer MENA Games Industry Awards 2024 finalists revealed
Winners will be revealed on Thursday, May 2nd, during the Dubai GameExpo Summit 2024
New Partnerships
Kwalee moves into casual games for Text Express: Word Adventure
Kwalee has partnered with Story Giant Games to become the new publisher of the award-winning puzzle game
Closure Announcement
Women Who Code is shutting down due to lack of funding
"We will not be able to continue offering any program services, and will be canceling all upcoming events"
Earth Day
Rovio's Angry Birds environmental campaign comes in to land on Earth Day
The activities are featured across their full range of Angry Birds games and promo activities including Times Square video ads
Game Regulations
India's PM Modi says gaming industry doesn't need regulation
“There is no need for regulations. It [games industry] should remain free, it is only then that it will bloom.”
Investment News
Multi-million funding to ignite growth for UK games studios
The UKGF's £3 million initiative will provide grants of up to £150,000 to 22 promising games companies in the UK
Esports World Cup
Saudi Arabia's esports world cup's has the largest prize pool ever with $60m up for grabs
The EWC features a diverse lineup of 19 games, including popular titles such as Apex Legends, Fortnite, and League of Legends
Investment News
Auctus Capital Partners and Remote Control to invest in European games companies
Their Prestiged fund will invest in financially stable game companies with earnings before interest, taxes, and more (EBIT) ranging from $531,000 to $21.2 million.
Celebrations
Scopely is celebrating Monopoly GO!'s first birthday with in-game events and rewards
The celebration kicks off today with a player contest featuring the diverse musical talents of J Balvin, Bon Jovi, and Natalie Jane
Nintendo Drops Out
Nintendo are a no show for Gamescom 2024
"Players will have opportunities to try out Nintendo Switch games at other events throughout the year"
Investment News
A16Z doubles gaming investment with $600M fund as part of $7.2B fundraise
“There’s never been a better time to build a game startup than today," said A16Z partner Jonathan Lai
Mobile App Trends
Ramadan sparks rise in Middle East mobile app downloads and purchases
Financial apps saw a 39% increase in conversions, food delivery apps experienced a 169% spike in NOIs, while eCommerce apps showed a solid 27% growth
Investment News
Indie gamers Avalon gear up for global launch with $10 million investment
The studio is focused on creating an MMORPG experience that'll appeal to both web2 and web3 gamers
Acqusitions
MTG-owned Ninja Kiwi acquires Legion TD 2 developer AutoAttack Games
"We couldn't imagine a better group of people to partner with," said AutoAttack CEO and founder Brent Batas
Developers Contest
Supersonic's SuperSpring contest is rewarding puzzle, simulation, and runner games developers
Game submissions for the contest are currently open from today April 15th, with a submission deadline of May 27th
Mobile Games Adaptation
MiHoYo green lights Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail movies with government backing
The projects aim to elevate Shanghai into a premier “city of film'' within three years, positioning it as a key destination for film production
Gaming Trends
Platform barriers tumble down as almost half of gamers play across devices
PC, console, and mobile divides are fading as 47% of players enjoy playing their favourite games across multiple platforms
Interview
"The continent is shattering stereotypes about 'emerging' markets. The African gaming market has already emerged"
African gaming is real and Carry1st growth lead Spencer Ma reckons they've "only scratched the surface of its vast potential"
Milestone
NetEase FPS Blood Strike hits 30 million downloads worldwide
The game edges past its latest milestone having clinched the number one spot in downloads in over 15 countries, including the US
Jobs In Games
Mini Motorways developer Dinosaur Polo Club names Amie Wolken as new CEO
Wolken's expertise will be pivotal in leading the future of Mini Motorways and Mini Metro
Mobile Soft Launch
Disney Realm Breakers now available in soft launch for select regions
Players will embark on a heroic journey where they'll join forces with beloved characters from Disney and Pixar to save the world of Noi
New Partnerships
Luckmon Inc. and FanCom Global unite for Japanese market expansion
Luckmon has garnered more than 500,000 downloads and boasts a user base of 1 million gamers nationwide
Jobs In Games
Sandsoft's internship program produces two new full-time hires
“At Sandsoft, we're committed to building a diverse team with 29% of our workforce being female, above the industry average," said VP head of studio Yahsir Qureshi
Mena Market
Maysalward partners with Choose Kind Jo for game design challenge to promote mental health
Winners will receive a $700 prize and a publishing deal with Maysalward and Choose Kind Jo
Mena Region
MENA developers impress at Game Zanga (Special Edition) - see results
"Game Zanga has been a beacon of inspiration and motivation for game makers in the Arabic region"