Acquiblizz
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority blocks the Microsoft Activision Blizzard deal
Microsoft was unable to address the CMA’s concerns regarding how the deal would affect competitors in the cloud gaming space
In-car Gaming
Angry Birds lands in cars in collab with Mercedes-Benz
Rovio’s flagship games will be playable in your Mercedes E-Class
Legal
Now NetEase aren't suing Activision Blizzard
The suit was actually raised by a serial litigator naming NetEase, while Activision Blizzard express their puzzlement in a new statement
Esports
Snapdragon Pro Series partners with Activision to bring Call of Duty: Mobile to Mobile Masters
The title will join other mobile heavyweights Garena: Fire and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
Investment
Animoca Brands subsidiary Tinytap accrues $8.5m investment
The money comes from Sequioa China and Liberty City Ventures amongst other investors
Pokemon Partnership
Niantic partner with Kung Fu Tea to keep Pokémon Go players refreshed
More than 350 bubble tea shops to collaborate with Pokémon Go
Chess With A Change
SuperDuperSecretCo raises $1m to make a chess battle royale game
Dual economy will make Web3 elements optional
Break Into The Industry
Find your next great job opportunity or recruitment hire at PG Connects Seattle’s Careers Zone!
Apply for our Careers Zone today for a free ticket to be part of recruitment opportunities at PG Connects Seattle this May 16-17th!
Netflix Games
Netflix Games Studios looking to expand with new hires
The company wants to continue its growth in the games space
Funding
Mobile games veterans raise €4m in seed funding for new studio, Cosmic Lounge
The studio is headed by former King, Seriously and Rovio staffers
Legal
NetEase to sue over Blizzard breakup for $43.5m
The lawsuit comes months after their fallout, attempted make up, and heated disagreements
An Epic Battle
Apple emerges victorious in antitrust appeal against Epic Games
But the ruling also opens the door for developers to include links in apps and side-step App Store fees
Spreading Sustainability
10 Weeks To Save The Games Industry - Helsinki Part 2!
As the duo's eco-journey ends there's still great videos to enjoy. Here's the second of their Helsinki interviews, featuring Mikael Haveri of Housemarque and Secret Exit's Jani Kahrama
Alternative App Store
PhonePe set to challenge Google Play’s market dominance in India
The Walmart-backed fintech giant is preparing to launch a dedicated app store for Indian Android users
Licencing
Are China’s game approvals back to “business as usual”?
Rounding up the latest on China's licencing freeze saga
Successful Surfing
Subway Surfers Blast launches in first partnership between Sybo and Outplay Entertainment
The fourth entry in the franchise changes gameplay to puzzle-adventure genre
Diversity In Gaming
Ustwo Studios announces partnership with Where Are the Black Designers?
The partnership will connect black designers through networking events
Markets
Mobile tops game revenue in Serbia, one-third of developers are women
The latest report by the SGA shows Serbia’s gaming industry is growing once more
Sci-fi Star
Honkai: Star Rail pre-installs available now on App Store and Google Play
A reflective round-up of developments on the next, eagerly awaited miHoYo game
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
Anzu Ads
In-game ads by Anzu.io triple Cooking Fever’s ARPDAU
Nordcurrent’s flagship title has 400 million total downloads
Week That Was
Week in Views - What caught our eyes in the last seven days
The Pocketgamer.biz team take their pick of this weeks big news and discuss the big Rovio buyout, big-ups and back-slapping and Epic moves…
Climate Conscious
Mobile gaming for Earth Day: Sankari Studios and Earthday.org in partnership for climate game Katoa
Spreading the word and hitting the message home with a mobile game released on Earth Day
Fantastic Speakers
Meet the brilliant star speakers of Pocket Gamer Connects Seattle!
Enjoy a sneak peek at the brilliant speaker line-up we have waiting for you at PG Connects Seattle this May 16th to 17th.
Report
Over-50s are top mobile players, but feel "overlooked"
Smartphones are now older players preferred means of play
Venture Capital
The top VC firm for Q1, Bitkraft Ventures, expands to Asia
The firm was the top investor in Drake Star's recent report
Hypercasual
What's next for hypercasual marketing in 2023?
Google industry manager Anastasia Selchuk shares the state of hypercasual and outlines the marketing trends ahead
Management Moves
Ten Square Games nominates Andrzej Ilczuk as new CEO
Ilzcuk is the current COO, while the current CEO steps down
Spinoff
NetDragon to merge and spin-off education business
The new entity will focus on AI-supported education
Own Your Ua Webinar
Webinar: Take back ownership of your user acquisition with help from Bango
App marketers - do you feel hostage to changing data regulations and self-serving ad platform targeting approaches?
Celebrating In Style
1 great night, 22 winners: The Mobile Game Awards reveals 2023’s mobile standouts
From storytellers to mobile legends, who won big at this year’s Mobile Game Awards?
Studios
New eco-friendly studio TreesPlease reveals debut stealth-launched title Longleaf Valley
The studio has unveiled it's first title
Licencing
China's game regulator approves 86 new games including Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
The game is immensely popular in Southeast Asia
Game Accelerator
My.Games to partner with Amazon and Google for Game Drive Program
The business accelerator program is in its third year
Report
M&A is coming back swinging in 2023, Drake Star report concludes
New report offers key insights into changes in the VC climate for Q1
Industry Insight
“Rovio devs must be salivating at the thought of working with these IPs...” The Sega/Rovio deal: The industry speaks
Industry experts give their take on what Sega will do with Rovio and who'll be splashing the cash next
Social Media
Facebook makes Messenger more alluring with games during your calls
At least 14 free games are available inside Facebook Messenger as of now
Spreading Sustainability
10 Weeks To Save The Games Industry - Extra!
The climate battle isn't over yet. With the journey at a close there's still plenty of interviews and opinion as to how the games industry can be more sustainable
Limited Time Discounts
PG Connects Seattle is a month away – here’s all you need to know ahead of our return to the States!
Join us at PG Connects Seattle this May 16th-17th and make the most of our special accommodation and ticket discounts while they’re still available!
Make New Connections
Meet your future business partners at Pocket Gamer Connects Seattle next month!
Connect with games industry professionals from all corners of the industry ahead of our conference, PG Connects Seattle, on May 16th-17th.
Leadership Changes
CEO Mikkel Weider leaves Nordisk
The CEO ended his tenure by mutual agreement with Allan Mathson Hansen appointed in interim
Acquisition
Aquiris to become Epic Games Brasil
The studio had an existing publishing deal with Epic for their mobile title Horizon Chase
Streamers
Netflix underpins commitment to games but says 'no' to in-game ads in Q1 2023 investor call
55 games released and 41 more planned as the company outlines plans to build a fan-engaging games pillar alongside film and TV
Comment & Opinion
“The shame for Finland is it isn’t Rovio buying Sega…" Six ex-Rovio staff give their take on the big deal
It's the big money buyout that's got everyone in mobile talking. But what do famous 'ex-Rovians' make of it?
Report
Street Fighter: Duel tops charts in UK and US, but Honor of Kings hasn’t quite cracked Brazil
The latest Data.ai charts tell a more encouraging story than last year
Hires
Bungie veteran Joseph Staten is the creative director of Netflix's mysterious new gaming IP
The head of creative for the Halo franchise jumped ship from Microsoft earlier this month
Report
9 out of 10 mobile titles not compliant with privacy regulations
90% of 269 titles ignored user privacy in some form
Ad Transparency
What transparency means in today’s mobile marketplace
LifeStreet product manager Lily Stoelting on why transparency is key to cost effective mobile advertising
Opinion
Mobile Mavens: Is AI a helping hand or to be kept at arm's length?
Our round-up of opinion from around the industry returns with AI's role in game development the hot topic
Liftoff Report
Hypercasual's not dead… But it is slowing down
So what happens next when hypercasual is down but competitive play is up?