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”
New Offerings
Adjust launches beta for AI-powered Growth Copilot for marketers
The AppLovin subsidiary claims its platform represents a new class of AI for growth teams
Agenda Overview
Pocket Gamer Connects Barcelona 2025 agenda overview: Insights and networking await in the heart of the European games industry
The Pocket Gamer Connects Barcelona 2025 agenda is live. Join us June 3rd and 4th to gain insights from 100+ industry leaders and network with top professionals.
Mobile Mavens
How to launch a new game in 2025
Our Mobile Mavens share insights and advice on launching a new game in today’s market
Clash Incoming
CLASH: A Clash of Clans Netflix show is now in pre-production
The series based on the Clash of Clans and Clash Royale universe is being animated by ICON Creative Studio
Earnings Report
Yalla Group records $83.9m revenue in Q1 2025 despite 8% decline in paying users
The company's game services generated $30.1m
Mobile Milestone
Delta Force surpasses $100m on mobile
The tactical shooter earned $72.9m on mobile ahead of global rollout, with a further $33.8m earned since
New Offerings
Moonton has soft launched MLBB Lite in Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa
A streamlined version of the developer's popular Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
Epic Complaint
SAG-AFTRA files complaint against Epic Games over AI Darth Vader voice in Fortnite
Complaint was filed against Epic subsidiary Llama Productions
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
Mystery Opportunity
Ubisoft reveals new Asia mobile games deal as platform accounts for 22% of bookings in Q4
CEO Yves Guillemot refuses to elaborate on new "opportunity"
Market Report
Games industry growth stalls at $189.3 billion as companies struggle with player retention
New report from Duamentes finds that 60% of new mobile games in crowded genres struggle to gain traction
Earnings Report
Ubisoft revenue falls 17.5% in FY 2024-25 as it eyes expansion of key IPs
“This year has been a challenging one for Ubisoft, with mixed dynamics across our portfolio…” said Ubisoft CEO and co-founder Yves Guillemot
Aidian Evermerge Partnership
Aidian Network Announces Strategic Partnership with Big Fish Games' EverMerge
New partnership will enchant players by bringing the magic of EverMerge to China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan
Game Closure
Activision pulls the plug on Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile
There is currently no official date for shutting down the server permanently
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
Hot Five
Hot Five: Squad Busters 2.0, Tencent’s game sales up 24%, and Sonic Rumble’s tentative 2025 release
Our quick-fix roundup of the hottest stories on PocketGamer.biz
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...
New Games
New release roundup: Shogun Showdown, Astronaut Joe: Magnetic Rush, Lego Friends Heartlake Rush+, and more
We highlight the latest new games that have broken cover over the past week
Epic Delay
Epic Games calls out Apple over blocking Fortnite approval
The developer first submitted the app for review on May 9th
New Offerings
Marvel Contest of Champions debuts on PC after amassing $2bn on mobile
The fighting game generated nearly $130m in 2024
Game Set And Match
Anyone for eTennis? An interview with Roland-Garros' Aymeric Labaste
Aymeric Labaste, Director of International Development at Roland-Garros tells PG.biz about the company's approach to eTennis and why Tennis Clash might be the future of fandom
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
Acqusitions
Team Vitality expands into Southeast Asia with Bigetron Esports acquisition
Bigetron Esports will rebrand as ‘Bigetron by Vitality’
Seed Round Secured
Layer AI closes $6.5m seed round with generative AI tools geared to mobile devs
The funding will be used to further develop features and scale up team size
Earnings Report
Aristocrat Leisure hit with $74m Big Fish impairment charge after cuts
Big Fish Games will solely focus on evergreen titles and halt new game development
Revenue Rumble
Sega still aiming for Sonic Rumble 2025 release after last-minute delay
Net revenue was down by 9% in FY2025, though Entertainment Contents grew marginally
New Offerings
AdsAdvisor platform launches globally to boost growth for mobile businesses
Service originally developed by My.Games' marketing team now available to all
Speaker Spotlight
Iyad Alsabouni on developing deeper experiences and more meaningful connections with players
"My advice would be to invest in user-centred design. Games that connect with players on an emotional and aesthetic level build lasting communities."
Event Report
Biggest ever Dubai GameExpo Summit draws over 1,400 game professionals from 70 countries to engage with the vibrant MENA games market
Third iteration of the region’s leading conference hosted as part of the Dubai Esports and Games Festival 2025 celebrated innovation, supported new talent and encouraged investment
Microsoft Management
Microsoft to lay off 3% of global staff
The move could impact thousands, expected to be felt across all teams, levels and locales
Squad Up
Squad Busters 2.0: "I’d say this is the biggest change to a game of this scale from Supercell and possibly ever"
Supercell head of marketing Rob Lowe and head of Squad Busters Johnathan Rowlands share insights on the latest update, reflecting on the game’s performance in its first year
Dismantled
Machine Zone reduced to minimal core team operating Game of War and Mobile Strike
Studio no longer has the capacity to work on new games
New Offerings
Aarki launches privacy-first mobile growth platform Encore
Service provides support for UA and retargeting
Tarrifs
US and China agree to cut tariffs for 90 Days as Trump admin rolls back on trade war
President Trump claimed a "total reset with China" following the tariff reduction deal
Nintendo Numbers
Nintendo’s net sales down 30% in the final stretch before Switch 2
Operating profit is down 47% YoY, net profit is down 43%
New Proposal
SAG-AFTRA proposes new terms to protect against exploitative AI in games
One proposed change is to replace “voiced dialogue" with "vocal material" to cover all sounds
Legal Proceedings
Palworld developer to make more gameplay changes to the game amid legal dispute
“As many have speculated, these changes were indeed a result of the ongoing litigation”
Industry Insights
How small studios can scale amid games industry turbulence
Gennadii Potapov and Andrei Morozov share on why cross-studio collaboration is a smart move in 2025
Studio Support
MLC Studio’s Global Games Alliance aims to curate deals, funding calls, job postings and more into one central hub
Workshops, exclusive events and more are planned for later down the line
New Offerings
Playgama expands Bridge SDK distribution to over 300m users
“Adding Facebook and MSN is a major step forward for reach - and we’re just getting started,” said Playgama head of developer success Pavel Polovinka
Environmental Impact
PlanetPlay reports 79% of players made eco-friendly changes after playing green themed games
In-game poll data from PlanetPlay after surveying 181,000 players from 189 countries
Overhaul Overload
Squad Busters to overhaul victory conditions, progression systems and remove many modes in tomorrow’s update
Doppelgangers, Double Trouble, Epic Overload, Loot Machines and Hatchling Herder are all being removed
App Store Changes
Brazil orders Apple to allow App Store sideloading in 90 days after court reversal
Apple argued that the requested changes were too complex to implement within the given timeframe
Epic Comeback
Epic Games submits Fortnite for App Store comeback after four-year ban
Fortnite will launch in the US App Store after review is completed and approved
Hot Five
Hot Five: Golden Week 2025, web shop advancements, and Tripledot to acquire AppLovin’s games business
Our quick-fix roundup of the hottest stories on PocketGamer.biz
Podcast | Episode 52
Tim Sweeney's epic App Store win and Tripledot's transformational AppLovin deal | 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 52...
Week In Views
Epic spends $100m fighting Apple and Pokémon TGC Pocket rules Golden week | Week in Views
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
New Offerings
Appcharge launches Payment Links for iOS developers to monetise outside the App Store
Developers can avoid platform fees and retain up to 95% of revenue