Stay Denied
US court rejects Apple’s request to delay ruling that broke open the US App Store
“May next week’s WWDC be the Apple-led celebration of freedom that developers and users have long deserved," says Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney
Child Safety
Texas passes child safety law requiring age checks on app stores
Law is effective from January 1st
Podcast | Episode 54
Fortnite’s Epic return and the challenges of launching a game in 2025 | 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 54...
Consequential Comeback
Fortnite returns, what now for the mobile market?
Fortnite's return to the US App Store has far-reaching consequences
Epic Resolution
Fortnite returns to US App Store after nearly five years
Apple and Epic claim they've “resolved all issues”
Xbox Mobile Store
Microsoft urges court to enforce Apple anti-steering ruling amid stalled launch of Xbox mobile store
The tech giant claims its solutions have been “stymied by Apple”
Legal Royale
Judge asks Apple why it believes it has legal authority to ignore injunction
"Obviously, Apple is fully capable of resolving this issue without further briefing or a hearing," says judge
Epic Vs Apple
Apple maintains Fortnite ban as Epic pushes back with new court filing
Apple advised Epic to withdraw the current Fortnite submission for the US App Store and resubmit it without including the country’s storefront
Podcast | Episode 53
Will Squad Busters 2.0 revive its fortunes? | 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 53...
Epic Delay
Epic Games calls out Apple over blocking Fortnite approval
The developer first submitted the app for review on May 9th
Legal View
A legal breakdown of what happens next in the Epic Games vs. Apple case shaking up the mobile market
Futura Digital partner Alexandra Kurdyumova and associate Nazar Volkov analyse the latest ruling opening up the App Store
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
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
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?
Regulations
Dutch ad regulator rules against My.Games over in-game purchase disclosures
The complaint raised several issues with the game, including failure to display loot box probabilities
Apple Fined
EU slaps Apple with $570m fine for violating Digital Markets Act
Tech giant must comply with the Commission's decisions within 60 days or face periodic penalty payments
Global Divisions
Political maelstrom: Trade wars and rivalries are shaking up games and tech
How the week's upheavals are creating uncertainty as to what happens next
Ad Insights
Why disturbing mobile ads work and how to succeed without them
Alexandra Pulinets provides an in-depth analysis of why disturbing ads are effective, their potential harm, and a better alternative
Regulations To Watch
Regulatory issues to keep an eye on in the UK and EU
Taylor Wessing associate Laura Craig discusses recent enforcement actions over monetisation in the EU, and evolving regulations in the UK
Regulatory Battle
Epic Games Store and Fortnite coming to iOS in Brazil this July
Move comes after the competition regulator’s big court win against Apple
App Stores
Brazil orders Apple to allow alternative app stores on iOS within 90 days
Ruling judge extended Apple’s compliance deadline from 20 to 90 days
Age Verification
Utah becomes first state to require app store age verification for minors
Social media giants Meta, Snap, and X (formerly Twitter) have praised the law
Week In Views
Apple’s ATT privacy policies finally face the music, and Pokémon GO’s stellar Unova event | Week in Views
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
French Fine
France readies Apple ATT antitrust fine and ban
A decision is expected to be reached this month, potentially leading to the privacy policy's first regulatory veto
Age Rating
Indie hit Balatro sees PEGI rating drop to 12+ after review
“I hope this change will allow developers to create without being unfairly punished"
Week In Views
UK rejects calls for stronger consumer protections and Nintendo's Fire Emblem Heroes hits $1.3bn in revenue | Week in Views
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
Year In Review
The biggest mobile games industry trends of 2024
A look back at the stories and trends that shaped the year
Age Rating
Balatro rated 18+ by PEGI as developer critiques rating system
LocalThunk compares 18+ rating to EA Sports FC’s age three rating
Podcast | Episode 40
Games industry trends 2024 review | 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 and what's inside this week's episode 40...
Podcast | Episode 39
Mobile's hot new releases and the loot box investigation unpacked | 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 and what's inside this week's episode 39...
Loot Box Investigation
Are the UK's top grossing mobile games really breaking loot box rules?
We delve into the BBC's claims that only two out of the top 45 revenue-generating titles are following the ASA's rules on loot box disclosures
Gaming Trends
India's competition watchdog launches probe into Google's real-money gaming policies
The investigation is expected to conclude in next two months
What Is Happening?
What is Microsoft doing on mobile?
Xbox's messy mobile plans stumble again
Cook Curses Commission
Donald Trump claims Apple CEO Tim Cook complained to him about multi-billion dollar EU fines
The former US president shared his conversation with Cook on the PBD podcast
Big Tech Breakup?
US mulls Google breakup in antitrust case
Tech giant labels DOJ proposals as "radical" and "government overreach"
Strict Laws
Australia sets new rules for games with loot boxes and gambling-like content
Games with interactive simulated gambling will automatically receive an R18+ rating
Game Regulations
Korea clears bill to regulate overseas gaming firms
The bill requires foreign game companies to appoint a domestic agent
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"
New Deal
Apple revamps business terms in the EU to enable App Store link-outs and out-of-store promotions
Developers can communicate and promote offers for purchases at a "destination of their choice"
Mavens
Mobile Mavens: The industry wades in on sexist ads, aiming to “drive meaningful change”
Our industry experts discuss why sexist ads are being created and what we can collectively do to combat them
Call To Action
It's time to stop sexist creatives in user acquisition - here's how
UA and marketing expert Matej Lančarič calls out the issue of sexist ads in the mobile games market and how this has got to stop
Industry Insights
“The mobile games industry has become stuck in the mud”: Apple’s war for its 30% revenue share
Analysts, publishers and payment providers discuss Apple's recent App Store policy changes in the US and European Union
Dmarmageddon Asteroid Incoming
DMArmageddon? It doesn’t have to be the end of the world
The EU Digital Markets Act will significantly impact the games market. Usercentrics reveals why game creators will have to get serious about user consent
Tencent Turnaround
China approves 32 overseas licences including Nexon and Tencent’s Mobile DnF
While an unstable landscape for games, China continues to prove a lucrative one
"don't Resist, Just Comply"
Spotify: Apple’s new EU rules are “extortion” and a “complete and total farce”
“The old tax was rendered unacceptable under the DMA, so they created a new one masquerading as compliance with the law”
Knock Knock
Apple to the EU: Catch me if you can
As Apple goes on the run, it challenges games publishers to gamble on their new, confusing terms and install fees