Partnership Power
Marvel Snap dev Second Dinner strategically invests in W4 Games and forms multi-year partnership
Second Dinner aims to build the largest game in the Godot engine yet
New Offerings
Ubisoft teams up with NFL to launch new fantasy football game
The game allows players to collect cards and make decisions during the NFL regular season and playoff games
Exclusive Deal
Voodoo signs partnership with Audiomob for audio ads
Deal sees ads provider become exclusive audio partner for the top 50% of the publisher's inventory
New Partnerships
Nazara and nCore partner to publish FAU-G Domination
Pre-registrations will be available on Google Play and the App Store later this year
Mobile Manoeuvre
Pokémon developer Game Freak’s first mobile exclusive is new IP, Pand Land
Game Freak and WonderPlanet "sometimes clashed" during development but ultimately "achieved balance" with this seafaring RPG
Web3 Gaming
SKALE Labs joins Unity's publisher support program to boost web3 game development
SKALE developers can now utilise Unity's creator tools to build real-time games and apps
Jumping Into Jojo
KLab resumes development of 2020 mobile game based on JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Klab has formed a new partnership with Wanda Cinemas Games to get this project completed
Partnership Power
Anzu and dentsu partner to advance intrinsic in-game advertising with "contextually relevant campaigns"
Ads will be deliverable to specific audiences based on behaviour and interests
New Partnerships
Odeeo and Evolution Media Group team up to bring in-game audio ads across MENA
Games account for 50% of app downloads in MENA, which is 10% higher than the global average
Hot Five
Hot Five: Disney x Fortnite, Sega’s sonic speed, and a potential Keywords Studios buyout
Our quick-fix roundup of the hottest stories on PocketGamer.biz
New Partnerships
Saudi Arabia partners with Japan to create original anime and gaming content
The KSA aims to develop a local gaming industry that includes localizing Japanese games for the Saudi market
New Partnerships
Netflix brings new "digital theme park" Nextworld to Roblox
The early access launch of Nexworld is available now on console, mobile and PC/Mac.
Super Sonic
"Rovio x Sega" is real as Sonic Rumble enters closed beta May 24th
The first title from Sega and Rovio is appropriately on mobile and the latest in the on-going Sonic series
Video Ads
Roblox partners with PubMatic to power video ads
Ads will only be served to players aged 13 and up
Cross Platform
Miniclip moves into PC and console publishing with FuturLab partnership
“We’re proud to say that we are now part of the Miniclip family! It’s exciting for us to charter a course that brings Miniclip into the PC/console space"
Microsoft's Might
Microsoft saves the day: Activision Blizzard games are set to return to China in new NetEase deal
The untimely end of Activision Blizzard and NetEase’s deal meant that games such as Overwatch and World of Warcraft have spent over a year offline in China
New Partnerships
Luckmon Inc. and FanCom Global unite for Japanese market expansion
Luckmon has garnered more than 500,000 downloads and boasts a user base of 1 million gamers nationwide
Age Of Mobile
How TiMi Studio and World's Edge are adapting Age of Empires for mobile
PocketGamer.biz speaks to TiMi Studio Group GM Brayden Fan and producer Robin Xin about the strategy game's development
Baby Brawlers
Brawl Stars collabs with YouTube’s most-viewed video Baby Shark
The partnership brings in-game cosmetics, a new challenge, and a Baby Shark pin to unlock
Mena Market Growth
Sandsoft and NetEase establish joint venture Stellar Gate Games to publish games in MENA
The new venture will support companies with publishing, marketing, live ops and esports activities in the region
New Partnerships
Tamatem Games relocates HQ to UAE after Abu Dhabi investment
The backing aims to help fuel publisher's growth and strengthen the UAE's overall gaming ecosystem
Partnership Power
Marblex partners with CARV to deliver data-driven Web3 experiences
Netmarble’s blockchain company Marblex to be elevated by CARV’s data capabilities
Safety & Integrity
Keywords, Active Fence, Take This, and Modulate create Gaming Safety Coalition
Bolstering the safety and integrity of online video game communities.
Mobile Mavens
Mobile Mavens: What should we expect from Disney's big $1.5 billion deal with Epic and Fortnite?
Our Mobile Mavens share their thoughts on Disney’s $1.5 billion investment and partnership with Epic Games
New Partnerships
Masters of the Universe joins Stumble Guys in new retro crossover
The new collab will allow players to explore a new realm within the Stumbleverse and experience a new racing map
Partnership Pathway
Smartphones to come pre-installed with Web3 game in Mystic Games and Jambo partnership
New JamboPhones launched in Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America will come with Call of the VoYd pre-installed
New Partnerships
Zeptolab's Om Nom Stories lands 25 season deal with Disney+
The collaboration with Disney+ offers Cut the Rope a new audience, bridging the gap between gaming and animated series
Brand Integration
Room 8 Group expands with PUGA and Massive Black integration
The integration is expected to streamline processes, foster innovation and expedite project delivery
App Stores
Digital Turbine invests $10 million into Korean app marketplace ONE Store
Companies partner in South Korea, with plans to expand globally in the near future
Epic Deal
Disney invests $1.5 billion into Epic Games as it plots new "entertainment universe" with Fortnite
The Walt Disney Company CEO Robert Iger labels partnership the company's “biggest entry ever into the world of games”
Tencent cans Nier mobile game after two years in development
Publisher reportedly concerned about monetisation model and small margins from licensing fees
Collaboration Extended
ITV Studios and Fusebox extend global partnership for Love Island: The Game
The collaboration introduces an expanded release of content throughout the year and will offer players a range of stories
Media Partnership
PocketGamer.biz named media partner for first-ever Gamemasters Summit
Free digital conference takes place on February 21st, 2024
Strategic Comeback
Activision Blizzard kiss and make up with NetEase ahead of China return
The move will see the return of Blizzard titles such as World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, Warcraft III: Reforged and Overwatch to the Chinese market
Brand Ability
Cooking Fever’s TGI Fridays crossover reached four million in two weeks
Nordcurrent and TGI Fridays have partnered to bring the restaurant chain in-game for 2024
Shiny And Supportive
Pokémon donates ¥50 million to support those impacted by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake
The January 1 earthquake has caused particular damage to Wajima, Suzu and Noto
New Partnerships
Naraza Technologies snags deals with four developers as it ramps up new publishing arm
Nazara intends to release around 20 games across mobile, web3, VR, and PC platforms over the next 12 to 18 months
Fashion Fanatics
Tilting Point, Hilfiger Ventures and Brandible prepare to launch AI fashion game
FashionVerse will aim to leverage modern technology to scale the fashion world
New Partnerships
Kwalee's John Wright on the strategy and vision behind Fahy Studios partnership
The VP of mobile publishing discussed Fahy Studio's unique qualities that led to the partnership, potential expansion into MENA, and their ambitious plans ahead
New Partnerships
Kwalee and Fahy Studios partner to develop global hit games in the KSA
"We are on a journey to build Saudi's first global hit game."
Partnership Power
Sony sets sights on mobile in strategic partnership with NCSoft
A strategic deal has been secured by CEOs Taekjin Kim and Jim Ryan
Meta Manoeuvres
Tencent backs Meta’s VR push into China after a 14 year ban
Meta and Tencent are teaming up to bring a new lower-spec VR headset to China, pitched between Quest 2 and 3
Saudi Foresight
Animoca Brands partners with Saudi Arabia in $50M deal to bring Web3 to NEOM
The future of NEOM just got a Web3 update
New Partnership
Gardenscapes joins forces with alternative game distribution platform Catappult
The partnership will see the hit match3 title brought to alternative app stores
Bringing Bitcoin
AdInMo’s ZBD partnership will pay players Bitcoin in exchange for ad views
The partnership marks a first for their Rewarded InGamePlay and is available to community members now
Credit Where Its Due
Appodeal & Pollen VC partner to offer a new kind of mobile growth platform
New Appodeal & Pollen VC partnership offers a mobile growth platform with credit lines to scale your monthly revenues
Partnership
PlanetPlay and Lockwood Publishing collaborate for an eco-friendly metaverse
The partnership aims to inspire climate conscious behaviour in Avakin Life players
New Partnership
Remote Control Productions and AUCTUS Capital Group partner to form Prestiged Gaming Group
The group aims to create a "powerhouse" of established gaming companies with creative independence
Partnership
Room 8 Group announces new partnership with Zibra AI
The companies are aiming to revolutionise virtual content creation
Partnership
Xsolla partners with AppsFlyer to streamline cross-platform data-driven insights
The companies are combining forces in order to better serve their clients