Surveys
Mobile game dev salaries increased an average of 21% in 2023
A game dev survey showed broad increases but there are some dips in some countries
Staff
Iwan Morris
Job Title
Staff Writer
About Iwan is a Cardiff-based freelance writer, who joined the Pocket Gamer Biz site fresh-faced from University before moving to the Pocketgamer.com editorial team in November of 2023.
Articles by Iwan Morris
Under The Microscope
Brawl Stars $2bn revenue is just the icing on Supercell's success
But how's the rest of Supercell's stellar line-up doing? Which games are still making the big bucks and which will be next for the chop?
Announcements
Devsisters announces new game CookieRun: Tower of Adventures
The title is the latest entry in the popular runner franchise
Announcements
Tencent teases competitor to NetEase's Eggy Party
The Fall Guys/Stumble Guys-inspired title has been a big hit for NetEase
Double-unicorn
Brawl Stars is Supercell’s latest $2bn hit
The title blasted past the double-unicorn milestone, joining four other Supercell titles
Unity Runtime Fee
Unity's biggest games: The big names who'll pay the biggest bucks
With an 70% of developers using Unity, it's the power behind the throne for thousands of much-loved titles including smash hits that keep some of gaming's biggest names afloat
Revenue
Nier Automata collaboration pushes Goddess of Victory: Nikke to a half-a billion in revenue
The collaboration saw a 215% increase in sales for the title
Apple App Store
Apple allows developers to offer regional pre-orders for games
The change means that games can be pre-ordered when launching across different markets
Collaborations
Dungeon Hunter 6: Rebooting a classic franchise for a new generation
The follow-up to the cult hack 'n' slash goes East-meets-West as Gameloft and GOAT Games collaborate on a classic
New Site
PocketGamer.fun launches today, offering a fresh way to find your new favorite mobile game
The latest site in the PocketGamer family offers a fresh way to keep ahead of the game
Alternative Storefronts
Xsolla launches Mall, a new alternative purchase platform
The site will allow games to host multiple landing pages, special offers and more
Localisation
Niantic strengthens Indian market commitment with Hindi version of Pokémon Go
As part of the update The Pokémon Company has also localised the names of over 800 Pokémon
Disunity
TIGA calls for CMA intervention on Unity’s proposed Runtime Fees
The platform’s new ‘per install’ fees have been a source of controversy over the past week
Unity Runtime Fee
European Games Developer Federation takes a swipe at Unity
The EGDF calls for EU regulation. “Unity’s install fees are a sign of looming game engine market failure”
Disunity
Unity take to X to clarify new runtime fees, but fails to stem the tide of discontent
Strong words from all corners of the industry continue to flow in
Closures
Hungry Shark developers Ubisoft London to close
The studio - formerly Future Games of London - was acquired by Ubisoft in 2013
Pgc Helsinki 2023
Satu Ahlman on creating high performance teams while avoiding burnout
"Reaching high levels of individual or organizational performance is NOT just about action and grinding."
Pgc Helsinki 2023
Gaming legend Kevin Toms on bringing back Football Manager for mobile
The veteran game developer talked about the two new takes on his classic football management sim
Pgc Helsinki 2023
Rise & Play’s Sophie Vo: “70% of post-merger integrations fall short of realising their intended value.”
The Rise & Play founder spoke at Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki 2023 about cultural changes for studios after mergers and acquisitions.
Unity Fees
Unity to charge for installs with new Unity Runtime Fee
Major pivot: devs that pass $200k in revenue and 200k installs will be on the hook for the new fees
Pgc Helsinki 2023
How to showcase your game at Pocket Gamer Connects
Not a Cult Oy’s Walkscape is one of many games being showcased and finding fans at Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki
Pgc Helsinki 2023
Lawyer Tuomas Pelkonen takes on loot boxes and the law
Live at PGC Helsinki, the attorney describes how the use of loot boxes highlights a wider issue of compliance in gaming
Pgc Helsinki 2023
Teemu Haila of Metaplay: “When shipping modern F2P games, hope is not a plan.”
The co-founder of Metaplay was at Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki discussing the art of planning for the future
Igda Leadership Day
JJ Häll on the IGDA’s role in the Finnish games industry
Live from Helsinki: The Finnish IGDA chairman spoke at their Leadership Day
Igda Leadership Day
IGDA’s Christopher Hamilton: "The community here is just very special and truly amazing"
At IGDA’s Leadership Day Finland’s finest come together to discuss leadership in games
Pgc Helsinki
Check out the Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki Career Zone!
This dedicated recruitment space presented alongside Game Factory Talents could help YOU get your dream job in games
Pgc Helsinki
Razer’s Michael Mucci on alternative payments and Pocket Gamer Connects: “With Supercell, we are just getting started”
The head of account management at Razer tells us what’s going on with Gold and more
Pgc Helsinki
Mobile masters turn out in force for Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki
Get the inside scoop on the mobile focused talks and tracks taking place at PGC Helsinki next week
Big Numbers
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Mobile already has 17 million pre-orders
Ubisoft's CEO Yves Guillemot praises the game's flying start
Roundup
The Finnish Mobile Market Roundup: PGC Helsinki 2023 Edition
Before next week's show, get up to speed with the latest news from Finland’s famous mobile game development scene
Pitch Like A Pro
How to win at Pocket Gamer Connects' Big Indie Pitch
With PGC Helsinki coming next week we asked previous Big Indie Pitch winner Noah Rosenfield to give aspiring developers a few tips
Interview
Nai Chang of Wooga: “One of the key parts of success is understanding your players”
Wooga’s managing director gives his thoughts on building the hugely successful June’s Journey and the studio’s presence at Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki
Next World Forum
Next World Forum: Day Two - ESL Faceit Group, Saudi Esports Federation and more
As the conference draws to a close the big names depart and big business gets done
Next World Forum
VSPO’s Danni Tang: “We foresee that mobile will be the future on a global scale”
The Asian esports organisation is a major player in events management
Next World Forum
SEF’s Faisal Bin Homran on esports, mobile and building gaming in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Esports Federation is part of the backbone of Saudi Arabia’s growing esports culture
Mobile Expansion
AEW plugs new mobile game at biggest ever wrestling show in Wembley
“This game helps advance our strategy to connect our TV and PPV broadcasts with the interactive games space”
Pgc Helsinki
AppsFlyer's Adam Smart talks AI, advertising solutions and why he'll be at PGC Helsinki 2023
The director of product for gaming at AppsFlyer give us his take on the state of play and reveals his hot topics for PGC Helsinki 2023
Events
Saudi Arabia's Next World Forum: Day One - Michael Bay, Omar Batterjee and Saudi esports
Saudi Arabia’s premiere tech conference, live from Riyadh kicks off in style
Gamescom 2023
Second Dinner's Ben Brode celebrates Marvel Snap's success
As the game goes crossplatform, its chief development officer tells us the backstory of its creation and his plans for its future
Gamescom 2023
Gamescom Highlights: Crunchyroll goes big with One Punch Man World
The title, based on the anime and manga series, is set to launch in late 2023
Gamescom 2023
Gamescom 2023: Day One
If you thought Devcom was big then you ain't seen nothing yet…
Global Domination
Devcom Highlights: Devsisters Europe's Chris O'Kelly: "We're doubling-down on bringing our IP to Western markets"
The European MD of the South Korean developer behind CookieRun: Kingdom outlines their ambitions for the brand and spin-offs to conquer the West
Devcom 2023
Devcom Highlights: The Psychology of Play
Anna Brandberg, lead UX designers for Funcom studio The Outsiders digs into the mindset of every developer’s best friend… and greatest challenge
Growth Update
Super Evil Megacorp is doing Super Good with new UK "entity" on the way
CEO Kristian Segerstrale provides an update showing a studio going from strength to strength
Updates
British classic Lemmings to receive new mobile update
The update to the mobile version features new additions that breath new life into the classic action-puzzler
Updates
Samsung Game Launcher mobile game streaming beta starts today
A new feature in their existing launcher promises to streamline UA by making games easier to find and quicker to play
Rebrands
Savvy Games Studios to become Steer Studios in major rebrand
The move is set to put Steer Studios on course for a more independent path
Government
“Silicon Stoke”: The plan to turn the area into digital development hub gets a fresh push
The proposal for the UK city - first outlined in 2021 - has been raised once more by a controversial Tory MP
Milestones
Crystal of Atlan is ByteDance’s first homegrown success story
The game is their first major hit that was developed in-house
Milestones
Lilith Games’ Warpath crosses 30 million downloads globally
The WW2-inspired title is one of a number of Lilith’s RTS hits