Regional Revenues
China and US accounted for more than 50% of the $107 billion spent on mobile games in 2023
data.ai’s latest report reveals all about regional revenue and download differences
App Authority
Japanese legislation looks to confront Apple and Google monopolies in 2024
New regulations could require both Apple and Google to allow alternate billing systems
American Ascent
The US accounted for 53.5% of casual game installs in Q3, but what are the hottest genres globally?
Monopoly GO and Subway Surfers prove to be the quarter’s most downloaded games
1999 Reasons To Play
Bluepoch’s debut time travel game Reverse: 1999 reaches $15 million
The latest Chinese gacha game is coming out of stealth with impressive early figures
Not So Monkey Dory
One Piece: Thousand Storm is the latest Japanese mobile game reaching end of service
Bandai Namco and DeNA first released the IP adaptation in 2016
Web3 World
SBI Holdings reveals ¥100BN fund to bolster Web3 in Japan
Sega and Square Enix are already well underway on their blockchain journeys, and up to 200 other devs could join them through SBI’s support
Rising Revenues
Nexon’s Q3 2023 smashes records with 78% revenue rise in North America and Europe
This marks the sixth consecutive quarterly report with double-digit growth
Franchise Fortune
Monster Hunter Now is officially a hit, but is it the next Pokémon Go?
Almost two months on from Niantic’s latest launch, we take a deep dive into Capcom’s beloved franchise and promising new collaboration
Japanese Journey
SinoAlice to close down in Japan two months after SinoAlice Global's end date
Another Square Enix mobile game approaches the end of the road as the Japanese game - thought safe - is similarly getting the chop
Kingdom Come
Square Enix drops Kingdom Hearts Missing Link tease after nine-month silence
The fan-favourite mobile spin could prove to be Square’s missing link after multiple middling releases
Walking Whereabouts
Monster Hunter Now set to "surpass" Pokémon Go as geolocation games get moving in Japan
Sensor Tower’s latest report reveals location-based games’ performance in Japan
Joys Of Japan
Japan’s mobile playerbase spends above and beyond on new mobile games
Diandian’s report shows how much Japanese players are willing to spend on the hottest new games
Saved From Stress
Almost half of all gamers find a good friend or spouse through gaming
The majority of gamers use games to de-stress and improve skills along the way
Statistics
Konami is the king of mobile sports games in Japan - and worldwide
While best known for its big name gaming franchises, Konami's sporting portfolio on mobile is certainly no slouch
Female Gamers
Games favoured by women set to exceed $16 billion in revenue this year
Women account for over 50% of mobile gamers, and almost 30% of revenue
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
Blue Protocol
Tencent reportedly adapting Bandai Namco’s Blue Protocol for mobile
The upcoming title is anticipated to be a smash hit
Millions And Millions
Brave Nine successor Brown Dust 2 earns $10 million in two months
GempsN and Neowiz’s new game has generated 80% of its revenue in Asia
Japan's Genres
RPG, adventure or Waifu? Which genre has made Japan's players the most monetised?
So far, revenue from in-app purchases has surpassed $9 billion in Japan this year
Gust Gacha
Atelier Resleriana is Koei Tecmo’s first mobile game of the decade
Featuring characters from the Atelier Ryza series on Switch and PlayStation
Attend And Announce
NetEase’s first ever Tokyo Game Show appearance will feature 10+ games
A new game announcement has been teased for the event
Slipping Square
Square Enix’s SinoAlice Global will reach end of service this November
Another Square Enix mobile game bites the dust
Birds Of A Feather
Sega to finalise Rovio acquisition next week
Sonic and Angry Birds to be one big family as Sega takes 96.3% of shares
Report
Japan’s consumer spend set to surpass $12.6 billion in 2023
RPG continues to dominate, but hypercasual is on the rise
Monster Hunter
Monster Hunter Now opens for pre-registration ahead of September 14 release
The game will bring the hit franchise to mobile for the first time
Financials
CyberAgent sees lean financials with game sales down 27.7%
The company operates major hits in Japan such as Uma Musume Pretty Derby
Ranking
Japan's top earning mobile games continue to dominate in the first half of 2023
Pole position and number two swap places while third place holds its own
Here Be Dragons
Dragon Quest Champions surpassed $10 million two weeks after release
The game is closing in on Dragon Quest Walk in Square Enix’s mobile revenue share
Joining In Japan
New studio Denkiworks aims to bring "East meets West" perspective with Project Tanuki
A trio of former Q-Games designers and programmers have formed a new Kyoto-based studio
Making Magic
Harry Potter: Magic Awakened generated $2.3 million in first week of global release
NetEase’s version generated $1.3 million; Warner Bros. Games’ made $1 million
Payments
Japan to stop Apple and Google charging through proprietary payment systems
Alternative payment systems will need to be offered
Partnership
Animoca Brands partners with Japanese Web3 company Matsui
Animoca has been trying to expand its global reach after divesting from the US
Gaming In Japan
Why we want more Square Enix mobile games in the West
Bravely Default: Brilliant Lights deserves a chance to shine outside of Japan. And that's not all…
Milestones
Bleach: Brave Souls surpasses 75 million downloads
The title is based on the popular manga and anime series
New Studio
NetEase unveils Japanese studio PinCool Inc.
The studio will be led by Dragon Quest veteran Ryutaro Ichimura
Gamerefinery Report
Updates and record breakers: How did mobile gaming do in April?
GameRefinery analyses the mobile gaming market last month
Shuttering
Rising of the Shield Hero mobile title to be shut down
One of a number of anime-inspired games to go under
Releases
Bandai Namco and DeNA to release Takt Op Symphony for Western audiences
The title will be available in English officially for the first time
Gamerefinery Report
Betas, events, and releases: How did mobile gaming do in March?
GameRefinery examines the performance of the market over the month
Data.ai Report
Japan and South Korea lead consumer spend by device in 2022
Data.ai’s State of Mobile Gaming 2023 report analyses the sector’s performance across markets and demographics
Nintendo Announces
Nintendo and DeNA officially establish joint venture Nintendo Systems
The latest step in a seven-year partnership
Netease Anime
NetEase Games enters the world of animation with Anici Anime
The new brand will further the company's interests outside of games
It’s Showtime
Persona: The Phantom X available for pre-order in China
The game is the first in the franchise released on mobile
A New Fantasy
Square Enix to relocate main offices from Shinjuku to Shibuya
The move to the iconic location is due to be completed after the construction of a new building is complete
Esports
Top five Japanese esports teams all compete on mobile
Mobile has become an increasingly popular presence in the esports scene, and the same is true for Japan
Generated In Japan
Japan Fair Trade Commission reveals Apple and Android revenue and distribution
Their new report shows ¥1.59 trillion generated on Apple in 2021, ¥1.04 trillion on Android
Anniversaries
Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Links celebrates sixth anniversary
The mobile card game version of the popular Yu-Gi-Oh franchise celebrates it’s sixth anniversary this January
Esports
Snapdragon Pro Series goes to Japan for Brawl Stars final in Tokyo
The Snapdragon Pro Series, hot off their announced partnership with Samsung, continues to feature heavily in DreamHack events, now at the Brawl Stars final in Tokyo
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
Hypercasual
Why can’t hypercasual hang onto players in Japan?
Although hypercasual sees the most installs in Japan, players are switching off in favour of role-playing, action and puzzle games