Discussions
Rovio halts discussions with Playtika with no deal in sight
The Israeli publisher had been eager to make a cash offer to buy the Angry Birds developer
Unreal Graphics
Epic unveils Unreal Engine 5.2 delivering even more power to mobile
New cross-platform Unreal upgrades give developers the tools to create improved worlds and characters, whatever the host device
New Features
NetEase launches first pilot server for Infinite Lagrange
The server will allow players to test incoming features and offer feedback to the development team
14 Unmissable Tracks
Dive into future technologies and artificial intelligence at Pocket Gamer Connects Seattle!
PG Connects returns to Seattle this May 16th to 17th, get an exclusive look at all the future-gazing content we have lined up for you at the conference.
New Live Events Tracker
How to keep track of the myriad of live service events across mobile games
GameRefinery's new live events tracker offers game creators a new way to stay in control of multiple events in multiple titles - quickly, simply and cost effectively
Epic News
Epic launches Unreal Editor for Fortnite, delivering metaverse-building power to everyone
Their GDC 2023 announcement comes packed with new tech set to give the world of mobile creation a shake-up
Releases
Super Meat Boy Forever finally makes the jump to mobile
Originally intended for the platform, the game has so far only been on PC and console until now
Expert Insight
Dmitry Bobrov of ZiMAD: “How to stay successful for over ten years”
The mobile puzzle maker with over 200m users shares the secrets of effective operating for lasting, long-term success
Cross-platform
Kabam brings Unreal 5 to mobile and PC for King Arthur: Legends Rise
"Enabling our players to experience cross-platform progression and play is an essential part of what we want to offer."
Interview
Kian Hozouri on ByteBrew’s partnership with Mintegral
We spoke to ByteBrew’s COO and co-founder about the new collaboration and what it means for both companies
Financials
Flexion Q4 financials close with another record quarter
The alternative app store publisher saw major deals in 2022
Interview
SciPlay CEO Josh Wilson on how SciPlay reached #1 in the social casino charts
SciPlay saw a record breaking 2022, and we spoke to the company’s CEO about the company’s success
Living Legends At Gdc23
Virtual influencer Babka and cyber-cat sidekick Nushi team up to celebrate game developers around the world at GDC
Developers will be interviewed live on Twitch to discuss their latest games. Babka and Nushi are showcased at a prime location in GDC Moscone South Lobby
Podcast
Insights From PGC London 2023, Pt 1 | Podcast
Exclusive video: Check out insights from some of industry professionals that were at PGC London 2023 earlier this year
Interview
Zynga’s Mary Plaisted on diversity, equity, and inclusion
We spoke to Zynga’s senior director of diversity, equity and inclusion, talent, and social impact following the Spelman Game Jam
Loot Box Lawsuit
Loot boxes: not gambling, says Canadian judge
But by allowing the rest of the class action suit to continue, Electronic Arts aren’t out of the woods yet
Esports
DreamHack San Diego to host Snapdragon Pro Series Mobile Challenge tournament finals
The esports open will feature prominent battle-royale Fortnite as the headlining game
Seed Secured
Mystic Games seed round aims towards bringing Web3 mobile games "into the mainstream"
Veterans from King, Rovio and more looking to democratise digital ownership
Makreo Report
49% of China’s gamers play on their phones
A new report analyses the world’s biggest mobile market
Collaborations
NetEase’s Vikingard re-collaborates with MGM’s Vikings
The mobile strategy game and historical drama series crossed over once before back in September of 2022
Microsoft Merger
EU delays decision on Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard
Relax. The $69 billion acquisition decision has been pushed back to May 22
Building An Empire
Mo' ATT, mo' problems: Why Supercell’s next hit must overcome Apple’s privacy assault
Is the developer’s next blockbuster being stymied by Apple’s App Tracking Transparency rules?
Expert Analysis
ironSource's Anna Popereko: Seven ways to increase revenue from merge games
The game design consultant explains how to capitalise on one of mobile gaming's hottest genre trends
Croquet X Unity
Croquet for Unity makes multiuser games “automatically”
The new 'no netcode' JavaScript framework makes multiplayer development easier than ever before
Licences & International Releases
Tencent brings smash hit Merge Mansion to China in raft of new licences
The game is part of a slew of newly granted licences for a number of foreign titles
Partnerships
PUBG Mobile upgraded with immersive Dolby Atmos in audio update
The audio manufacturer and publisher Krafton have teamed up to boost in-game audio
Q&a
Maximilian Studios on the success of Frontlines: “You don't need a $3,000 rig or a $500 console, you can boot it up on your mobile device.”
Part one of our exploration of studios building for Roblox and their route to success
Mobile Masterworks
Mobile Masterworks: Jetpack Joyride
Taking a closer look at the game that marked the turning point from premium to freemium
British Gaming
Study finds one in three Brits are gaming during remote working hours
Ages 35 to 44 most likely to use work devices for personal activities
Big Fish In The Big Easy
Big Fish Games expands with new office in New Orleans
The company hopes to foster a diverse talent pipeline
Releases
Jetpack Collective to publish Rare Pets - Merge Game Mystery
The iOS and Android title is one of two new games being published by the company
Milestones
Subway Surfers hits 4bn downloads
Sybo’s hit endless runner hits a new milestone and doesn’t look set to slow down anytime soon
Microsoft App Store
Microsoft hopes to launch its mobile app store next year
The tech giant hopes to capitalise on changes to regulations regarding alternative app stores
Anniversaries
Netflix Games one year on
As the anniversary of Netflix’s robust gaming catalogue comes round, more information arrives about their plans for 2023
Platform Partnership
ByteBrew partners with Mintegral to offer ad measurements and tracking tools to users
The 2021 startup has accrued 5,000 devs so far
Fireside Chats Part Two
Seven more fireside chats with the mobile world's movers & shakers from PGC London 2023
Another seven pioneers, founders, creators and leaders from the world of mobile games speak to the HyprMX team about the tools, tech and trends from Pocket Gamer Connects London 2023
Flexion X Digital Turbine
Flexion and Digital Turbine partner for alternative app distribution
The partnership combines the services of both companies
Major Milestone
Bitcoin Miner surpasses 1 million players and becomes the biggest play-and-earn game
A week of celebratory events set to take place
Audio Ads
Odeeo and Any Ever partner to offer new touchpoint for audio campaigns
Establishing in-game audio ads in Germany
Reported Restructuring
UK-based Team17 is supposedly laying off employees from art and design teams
The publisher is currently aiming to restructure
Candy Crush The Competition
Candy Crush Saga breaks records with All Stars Tournament
The upcoming tournament will have the biggest prize pot in casual mobile gaming history
New Expansion
Dream Games expands with new office in London
This marks the first international office for the Turkish studio behind Royal Match
Interview
Dream Games CEO Soner Aydemir talks Royal Match and future expansion
We spoke to Aydemir following news that the company is expanding to London
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 and discuss loot boxes, mobile moves and giant slaying…
Q&a
Elena Grigoryan on the struggles and success of My.Games
The CSO of My.Games discusses the ongoing changes in the mobile industry and how their company weathered both the pandemic and their departure from Russia
It’s Showtime
Persona: The Phantom X available for pre-order in China
The game is the first in the franchise released on mobile
Game Dev Rebellion
Game Dev Rebellion: Jennifer Estaris and Joost Vervoort on activism in games
How can gaming inspire positive change in the world?
Talks
Matej Lancaric on iOS14: “If you’re testing creatives on iOS, just stop”
The Two & a Half-Gamers host discusses why ATT hasn’t killed mobile gaming
Event Latest
Global Games Pitch Returns with Exciting New Features
365/7 Matchmaking Portal and Online Game Pitching Show on April 5-6
Event Latest
Outer Edge LA is set to take place on March 20th to 23rd
The conference formerly known as NFT LA retuns to Los Angeles next week