Redefining Storytelling
Xsolla launches Story3 platform to empower creators
The platform is designed to embody storytelling freedom and foster a creative ecosystem for makers
China Regulations
China greenlights 115 games in January, largest batch in 18 months
Tencent, Lilith Games and others have had their titles approved this month
Profile
Company Spotlight: Mistplay
Find out more about the mobile gaming loyalty platform that drives strong user acquisition, retention, and LTV for game publishers
Funding Round
Helsinki studio Order of Meta raises $3.3 million
Developer will use financing to finish development and soft launch Cargo Hunters
Blizzard names Call of Duty GM Johanna Faries as new president
New appointment comes as previous incumbent Mike Ybarra exits the company
Going Public
Report: Reddit eyes $5 billion IPO
Final decision to go public said to depend on economic factors
Collaborations
Developers Klab and Pocket Pair team up for new title
The two companies have both recently been in the news as their latest titles have undergone troubled launches and industry scrutiny
Strategic Growth
Krafton plans AI, India focus, and a 20-game lineup in 2024 roadmap
The publisher is getting set to launch two games this year with many more in development
Hot Five
Hot Five: Apple's Unity-like Runtime Fee rolls out in EU, YouTube cuts games division, and Playdemic founders open ForthStar
Our quick-fix roundup of the hottest stories on PocketGamer.biz
"don't Resist, Just Comply"
Spotify: Apple’s new EU rules are “extortion” and a “complete and total farce”
“The old tax was rendered unacceptable under the DMA, so they created a new one masquerading as compliance with the law”
Week That Was
Week in Views - Apple's DMA dodges, inspiration for tough times, and PGC London highlights
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
Streaming To Ios
It's not just App Stores… Apple make big changes for cloud gaming and webkit too
While the introduction of Apple's new Core Technology Fee has grabbed headlines, DMA compliancy has opened the door for web devs and game streaming
Hello Goodbye
Launched and shuttered in a single Tweet… Love Live! School Idol Festival 2 lives! And dies…
The Love Live! sequel gets its English translation and a global launch just as it's makers decide to pull the plug on the whole thing
Podcast
Mega Studio’s Adam Jaffe on the impressive benefits of incentivised traffic | Podcast
The PocketGamer.biz podcast team and guests give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and what's inside this week's episode…
An Epic Comeback
Fortnite and the Epic Games Store are coming to iOS devices this year
The battle royale game will only be available in parts of Europe covered by the Digital Markets Act
Ecosystem Expansion
AOFverse raises $3 million to propel Web3 gaming vision
The platform seeks to strengthen its position with the release of its flagship game Army of Fortune later this year
Dma Dodging
Apple's Core Technology Fee explained - Who'll be paying what (and is this even legal?)
17%, 10%, 3% and a new Core Technology Fee? Here's everything you need to know about Apple's plans to still get paid in Europe post DMA regulations
Five New Games
New release roundup: The best new mobile games from RPG gachas to Web3 tower defence
We highlight five new games that have broken cover and are all set to do big business
Runtime Reloaded
Apple rolls out Unity-like Runtime Fee for downloads as it seeks to outrun new EU regulations
Apple lowers share to 17% in EU while adding a €0.50 download fee
App Store Wars
Meta, Spotify and more are set to storm Apple’s walled garden in Europe
But will Apple be able to fight back with new rules, fees and restrictions in order to stay on top?
Ip Investigation
The Pokémon Company will "investigate" IP infringement after questions raised around Palworld
Palworld's monster designs are being compared with Pokémon's as questions around IP and copyright swirl
Jobs In Games
Oliver Bulloss takes the helm as chief product officer at MTG
Bulloss will participate in upcoming M&A processes as well as take a proactive role in influencing MTG's strategy.
New Broom
Blizzard president Mike Ybarra is out as Microsoft lays off 1,900
The inevitable restructure and consolidation of the two giants - with the nuking of dual roles and now superfluous departments - didn't take long…
Accelerator Funding
Narwhal Accelerator to support gaming and tech startups
The program only requests for a minor stake in company shares as part of the arrangement.
Atelier Arrival
Koei Tecmo’s Atelier Resleriana launches worldwide today
The first mobile main series Atelier game releases globally four months on from Japanese launch
Game Creation
Roblox launches new Creator Store for faster game building
The company has prioritised three main aspects: safety, utility, and opportunity for earnings
Financials
Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal drives record $86 billion in games industry deals in 2023
“We predict M&A activity to steadily increase again in 2024”
Nierly Over
Square Enix to shut down Nier Reincarnation in April
The third entry in the Nier series is approaching end of service, coming just after the third anniversary in Japan
Pgc London
A record-breaking start to 2024 for the 10th edition of PG Connects London!
A tough market couldn’t stop the games industry turning out en masse for our first 10th anniversary event of the year
New Tech
Keywords Studios showcases new VIP Engagement & Growth Service at PGC London 2024
The company's new offering also includes a partnership with machine learning-powered platform SurgeROI
Netflix Games
Netflix's Q4 earnings show gaming success with GTA leading the charge
The streaming giant says that, "Some consumers [are] clearly signing up simply to play these games."
Pgc London
The AI future is now. AI generated video is real and is promoting 100s of apps
AI can quickly create hundreds of creatives for your game and João Vieira da Costa of Replai.io has the tech that's making it happen right now
Job Losses
YouTube Games chief Leo Olebe is among 100 job cuts in their gaming division
The YouTube layoffs come as part of Google's broader restructuring, which has so far seen over 1,000 layoffs
Pgc London
AI vs NFTs… What’s really the next big thing in games?
Panellists at PGC London discuss the various technologies prevalent in recent years and where they may be going next
Exclusive Debut
Nefta showcases privacy-first platform at Pocket Gamer Connects London 2024
Unveiled exclusively at PGC London, the new ad platform is designed to provide developers with IAA revenue from opted-out iOS users
Pgc London
King’s senior UX writer Greta Septinia talks conversion and "actionable microcopy" in Candy Crush
At PGC London, Greta Septinia discusses content design at King
Collaboration Extended
ITV Studios and Fusebox extend global partnership for Love Island: The Game
The collaboration introduces an expanded release of content throughout the year and will offer players a range of stories
Closure Announcement
One Player Mission recruitment agency to shut down
Managing director Kim Parker Adcock: 'I cannot see how OPM can remain profitable and overcome the difficulties that have arisen in the games industry'
Pgc London
Working with voice talent: How to prep VAs and tap into their abilities
Maria Borys-Piątkowska discusses finding and working with voice talent at PGC London
Sneak Peek
King's Candy Crush Blast is now available in soft launch
The game is currently available on Android in the Philippines
Pgc London
Top insider tips on successfully pitching your game to publishers
Nocturne Games venture partner Bobby Wertheim reveals his pitching guide at PGC London
Pgc London
You were laid off… What now?
An insightful PGC London panel discusses experience with layoffs and what to do next
More Job Cuts
Riot Games Trims Workforce in new layoffs, cuts 500 jobs
Those affected will receive a minimum of six months' severance pay as well as other benefits
Best Of Blockchain
The Top 50 Blockchain Game Companies Revealed
The team at BlockchainGamer.biz has picked its Top 50 companies for 2024, and revealed the rundown live at Pocket Gamer Connects London
Challenges Ahead
Lean year ahead for gaming companies despite positive industry outlook
New report from Newzoo shows that while the market continues to recover, mobile developers will turn to the PC platform, while generative AI is here to stay
Pgc London
Speaker Spotlight: Solid Bash's Matthew Zoern on embracing innovation in game development
'Why limit a game's experience to just one platform? The future is about extending the gameplay experience across devices.'
Pgc London
NFTs, loot boxes, bad language… Changes are coming to PEGI’s age rating system
Games Rating Authority director general Ian Rice and Video Games Industry Memo editor George Osborn discuss PEGI age ratings at PGC London
Pgc London
The power of the minutia in virtual reality, treating players like developers, and "spying" on them
CM Games’ Serg Kharchenko speaks spying on players and treating them as " a part of the development team"
Pgc London
The future of Gen AI: "I don’t see how this doesn’t become a key part of the workflow"
PGC London panel discusses the future of games development with artificial intelligence and its potential threat to the jobs market
Pgc London
Newzoo’s Tom Wijman: There’s absolutely something to be said for having your mobile games on PC and console
Newzoo’s Tom Wijman’s talk at PGC London reveals all about the pros and cons of porting mobile games to other platforms