Global Releases
Tencent’s former China-exclusives go global
The Chinese game giant has gone on a spree of releasing previously Chinese-exclusive games to the West
Releases
Nexon’s MapleStory M comes to China with Maplestory: The Legend of Maple
The spin-off from MapleStory M is being developed in partnership with Tiancity
Artificial Intelligence Intrigue
Are AI chatbots coming to Tencent and NetEase games?
Many technology firms are considering services like that of ChatGPT
Netease Expansion
Blizzard break-up strikes a blow to NetEase’s overseas expansion
The tech giant doesn’t expect to launch any new games from overseas studios until at least 2025
Chinese Culture
Tencent and other Chinese gaming companies to help promote Chinese culture
Big name companies are aiming to deliver "broader value"
Releases
Tencent to release Chinese exclusive Honor of Kings in Brazil
The China-only MOBA game is one of a slew of titles now gaining release further afield
Releases
Devil May Cry: Peak of Combat gains worldwide release as Tencent opens up
More Chinese exclusives are getting global releases during a turbulent time for the Chinese game industry
Chinese Gaming Industry
China’s games sales fell 10.33% in 2022
China Audiovisual and Digital Publishing Association has revealed the sector’s struggles
Chinese Restrictions
China moves to increase restrictions on young gamers
The country’s semi-official industry association has called for stronger limits, despite claiming to have fixed the issue of video game addiction
Chinese Mobile Market
China approves 87 new game licenses
Tencent, NetEase, and Alibaba are among the game makers to receive new game approvals
Trouble In China
Chinese internet firms report their first ever combined revenue decline
Companies such as Tencent and Alibaba saw sharp slowdowns throughout the year
Insights
Marvel Snap publisher Nuverse talks up their new global focus
Tom Van Dam, Nuverse's Senior Director of Global Business, outlines their increased global focus post Marvel Snap success
Lots Of Licences
Happy Chinese New Year! Regulators grant 88 new game licences
Tencent, NetEase, miHoYo and others to benefit with new licences for games such as Honkai: Star Rail
Declining A Deal
Apology not accepted. NetEase refuses to take Activision Blizzard back
The refusal of a new, extended deal means that games licences in China for World of Warcraft and more could expire soon
Netease X Blizzard
NetEase to disband Shanghai team following breakup with Blizzard
A skeleton crew will deal with logistical issues in the short term
Beijing’s Golden Ticket
China takes steps to tighten grip on tech by acquiring 'golden shares' in Tencent and Alibaba
By taking shares in the companies, Beijing can help guide future development
A New Partnership
Blizzard reportedly enters final stage of negotiations with its new Chinese partner
The company ended its partnership with NetEase in 2022
International
Can the Chinese mobile gaming industry bounce back in 2023?
With the end of zero-covid and other regulatory restrictions, can the Chinese mobile gaming industry come back to prominence?
New Acquisition
NetEase acquires Halo Infinite co-developer Skybox Labs
NetEase is continuing its expansion beyond mobile platforms
China Gaming Market
NetEase and Tencent to resurrect discontinued games
Can't make new games? Try some old ones. The Chinese giants are rereleasing a slate of lapsed IPs in the wake of the licensing slowdown
Openly Optimistic
Why mobile developers should be optimistic about 2023
In spite of 2022’s mobile revenue dip, 2023 is on the up. Kim Soares highlights the industry’s continued upward trajectory when omitting pandemic blip
Stocks
Apple’s market value dropped below $2tn over Christmas. What’s gone wrong?
Apple’s stock price has taken a battering and the previously untouchable giant of smartphones has an uncertain 2023 ahead
Revenue
Genshin Impact surpasses $4bn in lifetime revenue
Genshin Impact hits new revenue highs, bringing in over $4bn of revenue within two years of launch
Chinese Market
TikTok developer ByteDance makes additional layoffs
New layoffs run in the hundreds and are across various divisions including gaming
Are Tencent’s Troubles Over?
Tencent predicted to bounce back in 2023
2022 was a turbulent year for the tech giant, but analysts forecast that Tencent will rebound
Regulation
China lifts licencing freeze with 44 new approved international games
Chinese regulators granted 44 licences for international games to be distributed in the country, including to major corporation Tencent
2022 Highlights
2022 In Review – November’s Best Bits
As the year draws to a close, we take a look back with our pick of the stories that shaped the last twelve months. Let's look back to November
2022 In Review
2022: The Games Market In Numbers
Newzoo estimate that the games market will have generated $184.4 billion in 2022 marking a fall of 4.3% year-on-year
2022 Highlights
2022 In Review – June’s Best Bits
As the year draws to a close, we take a look back with our pick of the stories that shaped the last twelve months. Here's June
2022 Highlights
2022 In Review – May’s Best Bits
As the year draws to a close, we take a look back with our pick of the stories that shaped the last twelve months. And now… May
2022 Highlights
BIG Stories of 2022 - The rise and fall of China’s mobile market
The world’s biggest mobile-first market saw a tumultuous year
2022 Highlights
2022 In Review – February’s Best Bits
As the year draws to a close, we take a look back with our pick of the stories that shaped the last twelve months. This time, we zoom in on February
China
Tencent chief blasts ‘corruption’ in company according to employees
According to recent reports, Tencent’s internal structure is rife with corruption and mismanagement, as Ma Huateng shifts blame
Stakes And Shares
Tencent becomes second-biggest shareholder in South Korean studio Shift Up
20 percent stake in Goddess of Victory: Nikke co-creator acquired
China And Cyberspace
China’s Cyberspace Administration plans to confront mobile app "chaos"
The body aims to tackle a supposed prevalence of fake apps, illegal data collection and more
Tackling Tiktok
15 state attorneys general demand Apple and Google change TikTok’s age rating
Mobile's two biggest players requested to address concerns around the content on the platform before the end of 2022
Gamerefinery Report
GameRefinery’s November 2022 report delves into the state of the mobile market
The World Cup proved to be a popular subject for events, while a Square Enix collaboration with a TikTok star failed to engage audiences
Gaming Post-covid
China rolls back zero-covid policy, but what does this mean for mobile gaming?
The easing of lockdown restrictions could signal a sharp decine for the country's mobile market
Outside News
Chinese game services go dark in memory of former Chinese premier
A National Day of Mourning in China includes the temporary cessation of services for money online games on multiple platforms
Censorship In Games
China blamed for Goddess of Victory: Nikke censorship, despite being unavailable in China
Upcoming graphics content differs from a previously leaked beta, leading to claims that the game is being censored to appease Chinese regulators
Market Analysis
Digital future to be led by Mexico, Slovakia and Saudi Arabia, as China set to feel brunt of global slump
A breakdown of growing digital markets sees China slump, and a shift in the top three growing markets, which affects mobile gaming
Week In Views
Week in Views - What caught our editorial eyes in the last seven days
The PocketGamer.biz team give their take on what happens when a game dies and why the UK is so behind on games funding?
Analysis
China may still be top of the mobile game, but India is closing in
India has been picking up the pace in recent years with a view to overtaking China as the biggest mobile market
Esports
Riot to refocus League of Legends: Wild Rift esports plans solely to Asia
League of Legends mobile adaptation, Wild Rift, originally was given worldwide plans for esports, however Riot Games have now said they intend to focus solely on the Asian market
Chinese Market
Microsoft and Sony attempt to woo China's mobile devs with new investments
Mobile is king of China’s games space, but Microsoft and Sony are seeking to hoover up games and talent
Regulations
China claims they have ‘fixed’ the problem of Youth Game Addiction
Chinese authorities have not only been strongly regulating the activities of game companies, but also of players themselves
International
Chinese game stocks rise after official state newspaper endorsement
An article in People’s Daily lionising the video game industry and its role in pushing technology forward has helped to boost stocks in major Chinese game companies
Feature
Week in Views - What caught our editorial eyes in the last seven days
The PocketGamer.biz team give their take on toxicity, acquisitions and the four day work week
The Chinese Market
NetEase and Blizzard are suspending game services in China
The two companies were unable to reach a deal that satisfied Blizzard
Appgallery Achievements
Huawei AppGallery surpasses 220,000 HMS apps and 580 million user milestones
Achieved since the initial launch in 2018