Loot Box Laws
South Korea to mandate 'probability displays' and investigate blockchain games on Apple and Google stores
Probability displays for card games will function similarly to the incumbent reveals of gacha and loot box odds
Industry Investigations
India arrests Vivo smartphone executives in latest China retaliation
Vivo has previously come under investigation in a money laundering probe
Chinese App Market
Apple isn’t complying with China’s new app store regulations
The Cyberspace Administration of China has named 26 app stores complying with its new rules
Unity Runtime Fee
Unity removed its terms of service “because the views were so low”
The company’s recent Unity Runtime Fee changes go against the previously established terms of service
Legalities
Unity's Runtime Fee: Is it even legal?
Top legal companies have offered their thoughts on Unity's unpopular introduction of its proposed Runtime Fee
Unity
Unity closes two offices following death threat
Their controversial pricing change proves to be increasingly unpopular
Licence Locked In
Krafton gains global exclusive licence for a Dark and Darker mobile adaptation
The publisher is excited by the new Ironmace IP but will remain a third party in legal battles
Legislation
South Korea could enforce an approval system for Chinese games
The Game Industry Promotion Law may soon be amended based on overseas practices
Legal
FunPlus face another lawsuit for misleading advertising in King of Avalon
The latest suit is being filed by same firm as the previous suit
Legal
NetEase to sue over Blizzard breakup for $43.5m
The lawsuit comes months after their fallout, attempted make up, and heated disagreements
Buzzfeed Vs. Versusgame
Buzzfeed sues mobile quiz platform VersusGame for $647,000
The website alleges that VersusGame has failed to pay invoices as part of a previous deal agreement
Legal
Yuji Naka admits to insider trading in Tokyo court
The console and mobile developer and producer most famous for Sonic was arrested on suspicion of insider trading
Views Week
Week in Views - What caught our editorial eyes in the last seven days
The Pocketgamer.biz team take their pick of this weeks big news to talk big games moving to mobile, big money being made, and big trouble for some big names
Views Week
Week in Views - What caught our editorial eyes in the last seven days
The Pocketgamer.biz team look forward to the year ahead and ponder player-friendly monetisation
Aiming For Acquisition Approval
The list of nations approving Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard acquisition grows
Among the approving nations are Brazil, Serbia and Chile
Alleged Arrest
Yuji Naka reportedly arrested for second time in three weeks over insider trading allegations
Trading investigation relates to Square Enix’s Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy franchises
Views Week
Week in Views - What caught our editorial eyes in the last seven days
The PocketGamer.biz team reflect on a week of hot new games, success stories and legal worries…
Tencent On Trial
Tencent to stand trial in copyright infringement suit tomorrow
The company has been accused of infringing on the rights of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang by Moonton
Company Vs. Consumer
FunPlus and KingsGroup face class action lawsuit for misleading prices
The suit alleges that State of Survival falsely advertises discounted items
Roe Vs. Wade
Mobile games developers come out in support of abortion rights
Niantic, Innersloth, Ubisoft and more speak out, while Activision Blizzard, Apple, Netflix, and others add financial support for affected employees
More Transparency
Apple ATT policies under investigation by Germany’s cartel office
Cartel office proceedings follows investigation against Google in January 2022
To Me To You
Apple requests courts reject Epic Games' appeal
Ongoing dispute sees iPhone firm argue that Epic has not shown any legal error
No Play
No new games were approved for release in China during August or September
Banhammer is swinging
China Syndrome
Mobile Mavens: Reaction to China's new restrictions on children gaming
Only three hours a week
Epic Win
Epic Games wins appeal against Apple in Australia
"This is a positive step forward for Australian consumers and developers”
Got Your Number
China announces a new playtime logging system for all gamers
CCP tightening the screws
Review Power
CCP further clamps down on Chinese game releases with new approval process
Game Evaluation and Rating Guidelines now live
Here's The Facts
Jagex insists Plutos Sama's lawsuit claiming company ownership is "meritless"
Follows the RuneScape maker being bought by private equity giant The Carlyle Group
No Stealing
Epic Games claims Fortnite direct payments are not "theft"
"Apple has no right to the fruits of Epic's labour, other than the rights arising under a contract"
Put 'em Up
ByteDance is looking to fight back against Trump and the US ban of TikTok
"Will try every possible way to fight back"
Courtroom Drama
Riot Games claims $10 million settlement for gender discrimination lawsuit is "fair and adequate"
Follows former employees pulling out of agreement
Courtroom Drama
Riot Games slates the $400 million figure California state claims it own its employees
The lawsuit is for alleged gender discimination
Court Case
Nintendo files lawsuit against ROM website RomUniverse
Switch creator is seeking up to $2 million for each trademark infringement
Lawsuit
Blizzard sues Chinese developer Sina Games over World of Warcraft ‘clone’
Glorious Saga was shut down on August 29th for "irresistible reasons" following the lawsuit filing
Under Investigation
Report claims Activision Blizzard has avoided taxes on billions
The Candy Crush publisher moved $5.59 billion to subsidiaries in Bermuda and Barbados between 2013 to 2017
Gotta Hack ’em All
Niantic looking to catch Pokemon Go “hackers” with lawsuit
Firm seeking an injunction to prevent PokeGo++ and other apps from being distributed
Lawsuit
Ex-Unity VP files lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and wrongful termination
Tech firm denies claims of wrongful termination and other allegations
Another Lawsuit
Developers sue Apple over App Store fees
“This isn’t the first time we’ve taken Apple to task over anti-competitive behaviour”
The Bell Tolls
Nintendo pulling Fire Emblem Heroes and Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp in Belgium amidst loot box concerns
Fire Emblem Heroes and Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp will be taken offline in August
Crunch
An EU court ruling could help cut crunch in the games industry
European Court of Justice looks to enforce the EU's existing Working Time Directive
Apple Vs Pepper
US Supreme Court declares Apple can face monopoly lawsuits
Dispute to be settled in lower courts
The Debate Continues
Germany considering new minor protections laws against loot boxes and mobile monetisation
The state of Bavaria has proposed new guideline citing the “exploitation of the inexperience and credulity of adolescents”
Legal
PUBG Corp and NetEase settle the battle royale cloning dispute
Two rival battle royale giants choose to settle the PUBG / Knives Out cloning dispute peacefully
Legal
Ousted Vungle CEO Zain Jaffer takes his former company to court for $100 million
Jaffer is seeking compensation after being cleared of assault and sexual abuse charges
Exploits Children
Epic Games embroiled in further lawsuit over loot boxes
Another week, another court case
The Hungry Caterpillar
Epic Games faces another Fortnite lawsuit over Running Man dance
Former Maryland basketball players Jared Nickens and Jayen Brantley front the claim
Grim
Epic shuts down shabby Fortnite Live festival organiser
"These proceedings by Epic Games has had a catastrophic impact on the company's ability to trade"
Oh No
Swedish tax agency demands $370 million from Candy Crush Saga maker King
Skatteverket claims King owes substantial taxes after its acquisition by Activision in 2016
Shutdown
Updated: Behaviour claims Westworld Mobile shutdown unrelated to Bethesda lawsuit
Game to go offline for good on April 16th
Gone West
Fallout Shelter publisher Bethesda ends legal battle against Warner Bros over Westworld "rip-off"
The dispute between the two mobile management games has been "amicably resolved"