Week That Was
New studios emerge, and Pokémon Sleep hits $150m | Week in Views
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
M&a
Jam City completes Ludia sale
Approximately 130 staff will remain at the developer, while a small number will stay with Jam City
Growth Engines
The need for growth engines: What they are and why they matter
According to a recent report by analyst Matthew Ball, the games industry shows significant growth potential in 2025. We explore what that means here - and at PG Connects San Francisco
Five New Games
New release roundup: Godzilla x Kong: Titan Chasers, Dredge, Athena Crisis, Level Tank and more
We highlight the latest new games that have broken cover over the past week
Ai-powered
New AI creative tool Flora launches to “transform" creative workflows
“Current AI creative tools are built by non-creatives for other non-creatives to feel creative," says Flora founder Weber Wong.
Mobile Market Challenge
Can alternative app stores break through?
Amazon shuts down its Android App Store and Epic third-party revenues are down on PC. What next for alternative marketplaces?
Event Partnership
Xsolla partners with Pocket Gamer Connects to support mobile developers in 2025
Games commerce company will provide expertise in direct-to-consumer monetisation to developers across the globe
Big Indie Zone
Vote for your favourite game at the Big Indie Zone Audience Choice Award sponsored by Jam City at Pocket Gamer Connects San Francisco 2025
Celebrate indie developers and their games at The Big Indie Zone Audience Choice Award sponsored by Jam City during Pocket Gamer Connects San Francisco 2025
Build Your Creator Programme
Building a world-class creator programme: key insights from Nexus CEO Justin Sacks
Justin Sacks, co-founder and CEO of Nexus explains why creator programmes are now a ‘must-have’ for live service games
Pokemon Day
Pokémon Day 2025: Just how big a deal are Pokémon’s mobile games?
Whether it’s Pokémon TCG Pocket or Pokémon Go, the franchise has a few mobile games worth knowing about ahead of today’s Pokémon Presents
Short Reports
AppLovin labels short-seller reports “nefarious” and “misleading” as shares sink
Ad tech firm goes on the offensive after research companies make series of accusations against its business practices
Dubai Gamesexpo Summit
Dubai GameExpo Summit 2025 The ultimate industry gathering you can't miss
Gain new opportunities in the MENA games industry in Dubai this May
Sponsored
In-Game Advertising Insights: Georgina King Shares Key Lessons from Her Career
As part of Liftoff's Women In Games Series, PocketGamer.biz speaks to Georgina King, Business Manager of Ads at Scopely
Gdc Is Coming
Pocket Gamer's ultimate GDC week 2025 party guide
When are where to go to make the most of each event around GDC 2025
Business Opportunities
Time is running out to reserve your place for the Pocket Gamer Connects San Francisco 2025 fringe events
Don't miss this chance to take part in the unmissable opportunities at our milestone 50th global games conference
Roundtable Discussion
Open call for web3 games industry speakers at PGC San Francisco
Join our roundtable delving into the state of web3 games and how the sector can emerge from a challenging few years
Skillz $75m Developer Accelerator
Skillz Announces $75 Million Developer Accelerator for Skill-Based Mobile Games
Accelerator will provide financial backing, operational resources, and expert guidance to bring competitive games to market
A Successful Snooze
Pokémon Sleep hits $150m mark despite slowdown since first anniversary
Japan is the app's most lucrative country at $109m to date
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"
Industry Insights
Boosting app engagement with retargeting: Proven tactics for games and beyond
Mintegral’s Jenny Lin shares why retargeting is such a popular tactic for games and e-commerce companies
Marvellous Mena
“We aim to merge games with Africa’s finest tunes and rhythms''
Weza Interactive Entertainment CEO and co-founder Odongo George Ahere discusses mobile rhythm game Riziki, funding challenges and tapping into the African market
Lawsuit Triumph
The Pokémon Company wins legal battle over copyright-infringing mobile game
The companies were also required to issue public apologies in online and print media in China
Job Losses
Netflix lays off staff at Oxenfree developer Night School Studio
The redundancies will not affect ongoing projects at the developer
Meta Contest
Meta launches $50 million Creator Fund as it shifts focus to mobile content
The company is also introducing its first creator competition of the year
Hot Five
Hot Five: Jam City to sell Ludia, Scopely could acquire Pokémon Go, and Last War hits $2bn
Our quick-fix roundup of the hottest stories on PocketGamer.biz
Company Restructure
Unity cut workforce to 4,987 staff in 2024 at cost of $214m
Game engine and ads firm also appears to have closed 23 offices last year
Podcast | Episode 43
NetEase scales back, Jam City agrees Ludia sale, and why Savvy wants Pokémon Go | 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 43...
Week That Was
When big acquisitions fail, the resurgence of card games, and Niantic's wildfire relief donations | Week in Views
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
Shares Surge
Unity shares rally 36% after earnings beat and new AI-powered ads platform
Unity’s market cap currently sits at $11.68bn, compared to rival AppLovin's $146.42bn
Financials
Hasbro gaming segment grows 22% as Monopoly Go adds $112 million to revenue in 2024
Total company sales declined 17% Y/Y to $4.1 billion
Very Big Indie Pitch
Hero brawler Battle Bears Heroes wins The Very Big Indie Pitch at Pocket Gamer Connects San Francisco 2024
We revisit last year's winners ahead of the next Stateside edition at PGC San Francisco's return this March 17th and 18th 2025
Investment News
Good Job Games Secures investment from Menlo Ventures
The investment raises Good Job Games’ valuation to over $100 million
New Games
New release roundup: Grand Mountain Adventure 2, Gear Fight!, Land of Heroes and more
We highlight the latest new games that have broken cover over the past week
Shutting Down
Amazon App Store to close on Android
Marketplace will still be available on Amazon devices in future
Gaming Trends
Ukie proposes 53% tax relief for small game studios in the UK
The trade body said reforming the VGEC could generate nearly 6,000 new jobs within five years
Gamescom Latam
Pokémon GO to bring AR adventures and rewards to Gamescom Latam 2025
Attendees can receive Pokémon-themed credentials featuring exclusive artwork
Earnings Report
NetEase games revenue rises to $2.9 billion in Q4
New mobile games lineup for global markets include Destiny: Rising and Marvel Mystic Mayhem
Earnings Report
Nexon reports record 2024 $2.97bn revenue in 2024 as Dungeon & Fighter Mobile drives growth
It saw success in three main franchises in 2024 including MapleStory, Dungeon & Fighter, and FC
Financials
Unity revenue falls 25% in Q4 as engine and ads segments see declines
Game engine division Create Solution saw sales fall 47% Y/Y
Sweet Solitaire
Candy Crush Solitaire snaps up $379,000 in first two weeks
Lifetime revenue including soft launch reaches $692k
Bigger And Better
PG Connects San Francisco 2024 smashed records to become our biggest US event ever!
A look back at last year's Stateside edition that raised the bar with 1,000+ attendees from 500+ companies, representing 50 countries
Job News
February’s Mobile Movers and Shakers: Exits at Space Ape, Tilting Point and Fingersoft, new leadership at Mojang and LEGO Digital Play, and more
Our regular roundup of the mobile games industry's movers and shakers
Better Outcomes Automatically
Smarter Ad Monetisation: How GeeMee Uses AI to Maximise Your Revenue
GeeMee explores the use of Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to unlock new possibilities in revenue optimisation
Selling Up
Jam City agrees deal to sell Ludia
If approved, the sale isn’t expected to have a significant impact on Jam City’s business operations
Funding For Games
Meeple Corp secures $629,000 funding to bring tabletop games to digital platforms
Its debut game, Kingdomino Digital will release later this year
Company Restructure
Big Fish Games to halt new game development and reduce investment in portfolio
Aristocrat Leisure fails to find a buyer for Big Fish following a review of its games business
Pgc San Francisco
A look back at last year's PG Connects San Francisco
It's a wrap! Mobile gaming's biggest reveals and hottest trends live from at PG Connects San Francisco
Big Deal
Niantic reportedly in talks to sell Pokémon Go and games business to Scopely for $3.5bn
The deal isn’t finalised, according to people familiar with the matter, but could be officially announced "in coming weeks"
Gaming Lab
Abertay University launches £9 million lab to boost Scotland's games and entertainment sectors
Investment will provide opportunities and support for UK technology companies across the creative industries
Rainbow Revenue
Rainbow Six Mobile revenue surges as Ubisoft chases a global launch
Ubisoft’s troubled mobile shooter gets a rise in downloads and player spending as publisher aims to improve title's fortunes