Mavens
The industry reacts to landmark ruling against Apple's App Store payment policy: Part two
Our Mavens share their insights on what this means for the industry and what may happen next
Lawsuit
Apple files appeal against court's App Store ruling
The company has denied violating the court's order in a previous lawsuit filed by Epic Games
Hot Five
Hot Five: Game over for "Apple tax", Overwatch Mobile distribution plans, and Pokémon TCG Pocket beats Go in first six months
Our quick-fix roundup of the hottest stories on PocketGamer.biz
Developer Tools
Stripe launches guide for iOS external payments amid Apple's policy changes
The team has prepared a guide to walk developers through how they can accept payments using the platform
Apple Policy
DTC industry leaders weigh in on the Apple App Store ruling
The industry responds to Apple’s ruling that could change the face of mobile monetisation
App Store Changes
Apple updates app store rules to allow external payment after court ruling
An exemption has been added for apps on the US storefront
Direct-to-consumer
Epic Games will launch web shops next month
Fortnite developer will also offer 0% commission on a game's first $1 million on the Epic Games Store
Mavens
The industry reacts to landmark ruling against Apple's App Store payment policy
Our Mavens share their insights on what this means for the industry and what may happen next
Epic Win
“Game over for the Apple tax” as US court rules publishers can freely link to off-store payments
The iPhone giant could face criminal contempt proceedings as judge issues scathing ruling
Podcast | Episode 51
Regulators poke the Apple and Google monopoly bear | Week in Mobile Games podcast
The PocketGamer.biz podcast team give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and what's inside this week's episode 51...
Dma Hits
The EU deals out tepid DMA fine to Apple, but potentially meaningful change
The European Commission is trying to enforce its rules. What happens next?
Upcoming Release
Final Fantasy XIV Mobile could be launching August 29th
The mobile adaptation is listed on the Chinese App Store for a launch this summer
New Tax Laws
Apple updates tax policies across multiple countries to comply with new regulations
Come April, Apple will operate as a Specified Platform Operator in Japan
Regulations
Apple shares compliance steps following Vietnam's new app store game licensing rules
The iPhone maker advises developers to first obtain a license from Vietnamese authorities
App Store Trends
Apple reveals most downloaded games and apps on the App Store for 2024
Monopoly Go, Roblox, Squad Busters and more amongst most played games on iPhone
Winners Revealed
Apple unveils 2024 App Store Awards winners
AFK Journey, Squad Busters and Balatro among this year's winners
Lawsuit
Apple faces £785 million UK lawsuit over App Store commissions
The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal has allowed the suit to proceed
Apple Ai
Apple to introduce AI-generated app review summaries with iOS 18.1
These summaries aim to help users better assess apps before downloading or purchasing
Instant Games
Facebook Instant Games finally gets in-app purchases on iOS
IAPs now supported across web, iOS and Android devices
New Offerings
Apple is developing a new iOS games hub similar to the App Store
The app will display challenges, leaderboards, and achievements, featuring games from both the App Store and Apple Arcade
Interoperability
EU orders Apple to open up its iOS ecosystem to rivals
European Commission to set out rules and processes for Apple to ensure interoperability of iOS features across devices
Week That Was
Minecraft makes it to the movies and Microsoft strikes at Apple | Week in Views
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
Tech Giants Feud
Microsoft claims App Store’s 30% fee “makes it impossible” to monetise its cloud gaming service
"The 30% fee imposed by Apple on IAPs is the result of a lack of competition in the distribution of native iOS apps"
Breaking Up
Apple’s App Store to split in two following the departure of its vice president
Apple’s long-term head of worldwide App Store and Apple Arcade, Matt Fischer is stepping down as part of the changes
Apple Vs Android
Mobile games revenue growth is at a snail’s pace on Apple as Android closes the gap
Android users spent $10 billion on mobile games in H1 2024, versus $13.8 billion on Apple
Cash Splash
Q2 mobile app spending hits a new record of $36.2 billion
Apple owners are responsible for the latest spending surge for Q2 2024, though downloads in the quarter declined
Ongoing Rift
Tencent's mobile games vanish from Huawei app store rankings
The move left rival NetEase's titles Eggy Party and Fantasy Westward Journey in the top positions
Hot Five
Hot Five: Apple fees hit ads, Squad Busters’ first month reviewed, and Pokémon Go's eight years on top
Our quick-fix roundup of the hottest stories on PocketGamer.biz
It's Not Over Yet
Apple's store police just rejected Epic's App Store submission
Epic's App Store is trapped in limbo as Apple's notorious policy police reject Epic's first stab at getting onto the newly 'open' post-DMA iOS
Developer Stories
“Apple blocked my account and deleted all my other apps. Instantly $3,000 in daily revenue was gone”
Apple is 'famous' for the opaque nature of its App Store regulations. Here developer Viktor Seraleev shares his nightmare app launch story and why he intends to sue Apple
Apple Ads
Apple 30% fee extends to Instagram and Facebook ads worldwide today
The fee was imposed on the US earlier this year and rolls out globally today, July 1st
Legal Upset
Apple on track to fall foul of DMA legislation with a potential penalty of $50M per day
Leaks suggest that Apple has failed to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act, costing the firm 5% of its daily global revenue
Legislation Looming
Fortnite and The Epic Games Store will be arriving on iOS in Japan in 2025
The Epic Games Store will be available as an alternative to Apple’s App Store in Japan next year, based on new legislation
Discoverability Updates
App Store developers can start nominating their games for featuring later this year
Apple also unveils new discoverability options including deep links and notifications of store promotions
Hunting For No. 1
Star Wars: Hunters ranked No. 1 for App Store game downloads in the US, UK and Canada on launch day
New arena shooter hit the top 100 top grossing chart in just one country on June 4th
Chart Busters
Supercell's Squad Busters the No. 1 most downloaded App Store app in 122 countries on launch day
New PvP title ranked as the most installed game on iOS in 156 countries
Super Start
Supercell’s Squad Busters ranks No. 1 for App Store game downloads in all soft launch countries
Multiplayer action game tops rankings in Canada, Denmark, Finland, Mexico, Norway, Singapore, Spain and Sweden
Flying High
Delta game emulator hits No. 1 on the App Store download charts in 35 countries
Nintendo games emulator has reached the top 10 in 66 countries so far today
Blasts From The Past
Apple allows retro games on iOS at last. Here's what you can and can't do
Thanks to the EU's DMA and increasing pressure in the US, Apple have finally gone soft on one of their most hardline App Store policies. Bring on the retro games…
Hot Five
Hot Five: Microsoft goes multiplat, Fortnite to return to iOS, but global games industry layoffs continue
Our quick-fix roundup of the hottest stories on PocketGamer.biz
Rallying The Troops
“2023 was a shitty year. 2024 will probably be even more shittier": EGDF president Hendrik Lesser talks tough
The European Games Developer Federation's president spells out his thoughts and confidence in a comeback in an open letter
Developer Issues Warning
Lethal Company developer warns of mobile app "scam"
Details on the Play Store shows that an unofficial Lethal Company mobile game was released on December 21, 2023
Web Store Wave
Niantic moves Pokémon Go redeem codes exclusively to web store
As the use of web stores grow in popularity, it's Niantic's turn to play the game with exclusive offers on board
Week That Was
Week in Views - Apple gives and takes while Nintendo quietly makes a billion
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
Criticism Grows
European Games Developer Federation "disappointed" over Apple’s new “anticompetitive” EU rules
EGDF joins Xbox, Epic Games and Spotify in criticising new policies
An Epic Comeback
Fortnite and the Epic Games Store are coming to iOS devices this year
The battle royale game will only be available in parts of Europe covered by the Digital Markets Act
Runtime Reloaded
Apple rolls out Unity-like Runtime Fee for downloads as it seeks to outrun new EU regulations
Apple lowers share to 17% in EU while adding a €0.50 download fee
Week That Was
Week in Views - Developers speak their minds, Apple gets sneaky, and why old games are the best
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
Business As Usual
Despite new regulations Apple will still be able to charge 27% on external platform payments
While following new regulations to the letter, new changes to the Apple App Store Guidelines ensure that they'll get paid no matter what
Purchase Power
Tencent sells app store to Huya ahead of Chinese crackdown
Tencent has been selling up and parting ways with its animation company. Now an app store leaves its stable.