Financials
Cyberagent's operational profits are down 69.9%
The digital advertising company has sees dip in sales and operational profits but claims strong start to 2023 in its Q1 financials
Changes Ahead
Google opens the door to alternative app stores in India
Following requirements by the CCI Google have made the first moves to allow in-app billing outside Google's own Play Store.
Google Vs. The Doj
“Google abuses its monopoly power". The Department of Justice’s lawsuit against Google explained
The DoJ and eight US states are suing the tech giant for anticompetitive behaviour
Sinking Shares
Shares in EA have plummeted more than 10% this week
Following news of cancellations and a delay
Crossover Incoming
Supercell reveals crossover game Squad Busters with characters from various IPs
Clash of Clans, Hay Day and more to be represented
Sunsets
Apex Legends Mobile Vs Everdale – the right & wrong way to sunset a game
With the sunsetting of both Apex Legends and Battlefield Mobile, we compare Supercell’s handling of Everdale's closure to EA’s recent misadventures
Tilting Point Layoffs
Tilting Point lays of 14% of its workforce
Over 60 people have been laid off at the company
Feedback Time
Let us know what topics you want to explore at Pocket Gamer Connects this year!
We want to hear your feedback! Let us know how we can make this year’s PG Connects shows even more valuable for you.
Opinion
Woke or broke? When should developers break from controversial creators?
Developers and publishers may eventually need to make difficult decisions regarding inclusivity
Gender Equality
NetEase included in 2023 Bloomberg Gender Equality Index
The gaming giant receives this recognition for the second time
Farmside In February
Team17 and Topia Studios’ Farmside is coming to Apple Arcade this month
Players to begin building their dream farms on 17 February 2023
Return Of A Legend
Tomb Raider Reloaded available for pre-registration on Android ahead of worldwide release
The game will launch on iOS, Android, and Netflix Games on Valentine’s Day – Lara Croft's birthday
Ai Ads
AdLiven announces AI image Generation Tool to for playable ads
The first-of-its-kind tool uses a neural network to identify specific variables linked to playable ads
Pocket Gamer Connects
Aarni Linnakangas talks “Shifting genres while keeping your core identity”
Superplus Games Hills of Steel made the shift to RTS. At PGC London 2023 they explained how they kept their core identity despite the shift in game design
New Launch
Street Fighter Duel coming to the West in 2023
Pre-registration is now open for Tencent’s Street Fighter mobile spin-off game, previously released in China and now coming to the West
Industry's Finest
Nominations for the Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards 2023 are live
Lobbying for the 22 categories – which for the first time will be open to industry-wide voting – closes on March 3rd
Killed At Its Apex
EA cancels Apex Legends Mobile and Battlefield Mobile
The studio is also closing developer Industrial Toys
Podcast
LiveOps on a shoestring budget | Podcast
MobilityWare's Larry Hsieh explains how you can 'do more with less' to keep your players engaged
Comment & Opinion
Devolver Tumble Time’s Monetisation - Genius or Devious?
While the new match3 game from indie publisher Devolver may seem like a humorous take on the world of mobile games, it still pulls a few tricks to dip into your wallet
Raiding The Small Screen
Amazon have reportedly purchased Tomb Raider from Embracer Group for $600 million
The company announced a television adaptation earlier this week, but they could have much larger plans for the iconic franchise
Applovin Data
Revealed: The key metrics for an effective ad creative
Narrative, relateability, and customisation… AppLovin data breaks down what it takes to make an effective ad
Newzoo Report
Mobile is the dominant platform for accessing media and IP
60 percent of engagement with media platforms happens on mobile devices
Ports
Desta: The Memories Between, makes the jump from mobile to Switch & PC
Developed by Ustwo Games, the title is now spreading its wings beyond its exclusive deal with Netflix Games
Believe In Better Adtech
Company Spotlight: adjoe
Meet adjoe, the Hamburg-based advertising tech and monetisation specialist
Hypercasual Report
Cost Per Install for hypercasual games hit an all-time high
IDFA changes hit iOS hard, forcing up user acquisition spending in 2022’s fourth quarter
New Releases
Ubisoft brings Valiant Hearts spin-off exclusively to Netflix Games
The Valiant Hearts: The Great War spin-off, Valiant Hearts: Coming Home, launches today on Netflix Games
Pocket Gamer Connects
Voodoo’s Alex Shea: “Hypercasual is dead”
In his talk at PGC London 2023, Alex Shea of Voodoo made a convincing argument for how hypercasual may be going the way of the dodo
Diversity In Gaming
How inclusivity and diversity can lead to a positive future
Groups such as Rovio, LEGO and Nokia joined a roundtable led by UNICEF Finland to discuss insights and experiences
Milestones
UK mobile dev Kwalee hits 1bn total installs
Leamington Spa-based developer Kwalee announced the important milestone today
Build Better Battlers
Get 55 percent revenue share in the Crazy Trends Challenge by CrazyLabs
Test your battle games, pass the benchmark and win great prizes!
Legislation
Indian game makers call for better consultation on proposed changes to legislation
Controversial new legislation which would see games in India covered by iGaming or gambling legislation has caused an uproar amongst game makers
Statistics
Android has a 71% share of all ads traffic
Android remains the preferred platform for creatives, as the number of advertisers has more than doubled from 2019 to 2022
Views Week
Week in Views - What caught our editorial eyes in the last seven days
The Pocketgamer.biz team take their pic of the big news that came out of Pocket Gamer Connects London 2023
New Hires
Adjoe plans to open up new markets as they hire fresh management team
Mobile advertising platform Adjoe has made three new key hires, concentrating on growing their business in new markets and leading the overall team
Gender In Gaming
No women are among 400 highest-earning esports players
Finland has the highest disparity between male and female earners
Pocket Gamer Connects 2023
Nour Khrais on MENA: "This is an opportunity for small developers to reach a huge audience.”
If you're not in MENA then you're not doing business. That was the message from the Maysalward founder and CEO at PGC London 2023
Sports In Games
Tennis Clash named the official mobile game of Roland-Garros
The announcement follows a successful collaboration with Fédération Française de Tennis in 2022
Pocket Gamer Connects
Playing games at 30,000 feet with United Airlines’ Clare Dussman
Appearing live at PGC London 2023, UA's senior product lead discussed the company’s success in integrating mobile games into their onboard app
Pocket Gamer Connects
ustwo's Jennifer Estaris on gaming's potential for positive change
The game director took to the stage at Pocket Gamer Connects to discuss climate activism
Job News
Google veteran Tian Lim appointed Roblox’s vice president of product for the Creator Group
New hires abound as Tian Pei, Ashley McCollum, and Justine Higueras also join the team
Pocket Gamer Connects
Data.ai reveal the global trends and tips you need for success in 2023
Senior marketing manager at Data.ai, Chris Uglietta took to the stage at Pocket Gamer Connects London 2023
Acquisitions
Metacore acquires discontinued Supercell game Everdale
The story continues… Despite being shut down by its creators, Everdale is about to start a new life as Metacore acquires the title
Job News
Snowprint Studios hire ex-Miniclip talent as new CMO
The Warhammer 40,000: Tacticus developers have appointed Jonathan Winters as their new CMO
Installs & Uninstalls
Why are people uninstalling games ahead of other apps?
Games are seeing the largest portion of uninstalls in any category of app, so why is this happening?
Pocket Gamer Connects
How Crytek incorporates narrative into live events to drive engagement
Crytek’s narrative team took to the stage at PGC London to share the secrets behind Hunt: Showdown's events success
Pocket Gamer Connects
Brainamics measures your player's brainwaves so you can make better games
Appearing at PGC London 2023 – how new tech can measure player emotions to make better games
Pocket Gamer Connects
MNM Gaming's Kalvin Chung on the cultural communication potential of Esports
At Pocket Gamer Connects London CEO of MNM Gaming, Kalvin Chung, spoke about the cultural communication potential of Esports
Pocket Gamer Connects
How Product Madness promote workplace connections and build community
From Pocket Gamer Connects London: The team at Product Madness gave essential team-building advice for uncertain times
New Launch
Bidstack launches dedicated Sports Division and partnership with SimWin Sports
Bidstack's new sports division allows the management of virtual advertising on a whole new level
Cross-platform Promo
Mobile game Fire Emblem Heroes required to unlock items in Switch 'sister' title Engage
The cross-promotional mobile-to-console tactics continue