Mobile Mavens
The Mobile Mavens reflect on Epic Games' latest layoffs
Our Mobile Mavens weigh in on the layoffs and what they mean for the company and future of Fortnite
Africa Is Mobile
"After our five years of tests, we think only hybrid monetisation will work in Africa"
Kiro'o Games CEO Olivier Madiba discusses the realities of game monetisation in Africa, player behaviour and long-term growth across the continent
Chart Rankings
February 2026 mobile game charts: Have the top risers over the past few years all peaked?
A deep dive into the global mobile game rankings across the App Store and Google Play
Latest
Apple Troubles
Ninth Circuit denies Apple rehearing request in Epic Games App Store dispute
The decision reinforces requirements for Apple to allow developers to direct users to alternative payment methods
Model Analysis
Fire Emblem Shadows earns just $578,000 in first six months, less than 1% of Fire Emblem Heroes
Shadows and Heroes share an IP but opt for different genres and monetisation models
Latest Layoffs
Pixelberry Studios reportedly lays off staff in another round of workforce reductions
The reductions mark the second round of job cuts at Pixelberry in two years
Pgc Summit Malmo
Tracks uncovered: Gain essential knowledge through PGC Summit Malmö's conference programme
Tightly focused four-track summit schedule runs alongside two days of meetings and curated networking opportunities
Game Closure
Bethesda to shut down The Elder Scrolls: Blades servers in June
The closure will take effect across all platforms, including Android, iOS and Nintendo Switch
Investment News
Maxim Krippa becomes co-owner of Burny Games expanding long-term investment role
Burny Games has surpassed 65m downloads across a portfolio of roughly ten mobile titles
Editor's Picks
Podcast | Episode 87
Was Epic's app store battle worth it? | 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 87...
Us Best Of 2026
The Top 30 US Mobile Game Makers of 2026
The US movers and shakers of the last 12 months revealed!
Master Plan
Savvy Games Group's CEO on M&A, China and rising Eastern influence
We speak to Brian Ward about how it works with its growing empire, Scopely's freedom, and opportunities in growing sectors like UGC
Opinion
The issue is not a lack of talent or ambition. It is a restriction of opportunity.
Dr Marie-Claire Isaaman on issues around talent retention.
The ad market is messy, but your game doesn't have to be. With the right controls, you can control the chaos.
Ivona Pinjak analyses player churn across ad networks, formats and platforms
#Pocket Gamer Connects
Pgc Summit Malmo
Final days: Pocket Gamer Connects Summit Malmö Early Bird ends soon!
Save now on new super-focused, networking-centric summit designed to boost your Nordic Game week
Pgc Summit Shanghai
Start your ChinaJoy trip at Pocket Gamer Connects Summit Shanghai 2026
Focused summit connecting the world’s game sectors from East to West on July 29th
Pgc Summit MalmÖ
Gain visibility and do games business in southern Sweden at PGC Summit Malmö on May 27th to 28th
PG Connects Summit Malmö connects indies with publishers, investors and co-creators
Pgc Barcelona 2026
Speakers from Zynga, Rovio and Layer AI set for Pocket Gamer Connects Barcelona 2026
First speakers among 100+ revealed for returning games industry event on June 15th-16th
Industry Voices
Google Play Update Details
The true cost of Google's Level Up: What the fee table doesn't show
Google’s fee update looks simple, but the real cost shows up in lock-in, add-ons and rules
Week In Views
Unity follows AppLovin, Roblox brand deal controversy and Wuthering Waves' live ops success | Week in Views
The PocketGamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
Personal Pets
How Monopoly Go's Pets Season sparked 12,000 fan submissions and community engagement
This two-month season includes players’ pets as stickers, brand-new Style Tokens and a charity initiative
Mobile Mavens
"This is a fundamental shift in the way that games are rated": The Mobile Mavens on PEGI's new rules
Our Mobile Mavens share their insights on PEGI's updated age rating criteria and what it means for the wider games industry
Aurora Awards Uk
"True innovation can only come from a group with different perspectives and experiences"
Sumo Digital's Catherine Bygrave on the crucial role of women in managing current industry challenges
#MENA
Acquisitions
ByteDance to sell Moonton to Savvy Games Group in $6bn deal
The move marks another major expansion for Savvy Games Group
Marvellous Mena
"Cultural relevance matters, but so does international production quality"
Dawn of Game’s co-founder Gilbert Ewangue talks self-funded development, community growth and building Kwat Fou
Strategic Move
Saudi Arabia acquires a fresh 5.03% stake in Capcom through EGDC
The investment is positioned as a financial play targeting capital gains and dividends
Monetisation In Africa
Africa’s monetisation debate: founders weigh in on mobile, PC, and the realities of game revenue
Several founders warn that treating Africa as a single gaming market ignores the continent’s diverse economic and payment realities
Deals, Mergers & Acquisitions
Acqusitions
Mistplay completes acquisition of Connected Rewards to link gameplay with real-world loyalty programs
The deal integrates Connected Rewards into the LoyaltyPlay platform
Acqusitions
Asmodee acquires ATM Gaming in €180m deal to expand social board game portfolio
The deal targets the fast-growing social and party games segment
Acqusitions
Reforged Studios acquires Headup to expand global publishing footprint
Headup will continue operating independently while gaining access to Reforged’s international infrastructure and support network
New Partnerships
Supercell partners with Taika Waititi to launch new character in Brawl Stars
The collaboration signals a shift from traditional marketing toward story-driven promotion for live service games.
New Offerings
Epic Games opens Star Wars tools to creators as branded content push expands inside Fortnite
The release represents one of the largest IP integrations on the platform to date
Developing Next-gen Mobile Titles
Supercent and Sumo Digital sign strategic MOU to co-develop next-generation mobile titles
The MOU brings Supercent’s mobile-first innovation and data-driven publishing ecosystem together with Sumo Digital’s deep development expertise and cross-platform capabilities
Funding News
Afrime Studios enters seed round after raising $400,000 to build afrofuturistic RPG Unyverse
The studio is targeting an estimated 670m gamers of African descent globally
Jobs News
Job Losses
Epic layoffs spark launch of ‘Awesome People List’ job site for more than 1,000 displaced staff
The platform allows hiring managers to browse candidates across engineering, design, production, community management, and security roles
Job News
Metasports appoints head of marketing to scale Hitwicket globally
He will lead user acquisition, brand, and partnerships across Metasports’ growing portfolio of sports games
Industry Decline
TIGA clamours for government support as UK game dev jobs fall at record rate and startup activity collapses
CEO Richard Wilson calls for better tax incentives and support initiatives to compete on the global stage
New Offerings
Values Value and InGame Job launch 10th annual survey tracking global games industry employment
Study draws on thousands of developers to map labour market trends worldwide
Jobs News
Ubisoft names Julien Bares as GM of mobile and casual-focused Creative House 5
Former Tencent Games and 2K veteran will head up division home to Ketchapp, Kolibri and others
#Regulation
Apple Troubles
German publishers urge antitrust fine against Apple ATT
Industry groups say Apple’s proposed ATT changes fail to resolve competition concerns
Security Review
Report: Trump administration reviews Tencent gaming investments over security concerns
Officials are assessing whether the company’s investments pose potential national security risks.
Child Safety
UK consultation on kids’ online lives: what the video games industry needs to know
Celia Pontin explains the UK government’s consultation on keeping children safe online
Week In Views
Games industry regulation tightens and transmedia insights with the Umamusume: Pretty Derby movie director | Week in Views
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
More News
Events
Ustwo Games revealed as first keynote for Develop: Brighton 2026
Maria Sayans, Daniel Gray and Peter Pashley will take to the stage to discuss the studio's journey and making a lasting impact
Fortnite Figures
Fortnite lands 5.7m downloads on Google Play after comeback, but chart rankings are mixed
Epic Games’ flagship peaked at second in the global download charts, but has topped Brazil and Mexico’s for over a week
Funding News
Sett raises $30m to scale AI-driven marketing automation platform
The company plans to expand beyond gaming into fintech, apps and e-commerce by the end of 2026
Adaptations Ahoy
Baobab to adapt Roblox hits Deepwoken, Natural Disaster Survival and Barry’s Prison Run for film and TV
The studio selected titles with deep engagement and strong world-building rather than chasing short-lived viral success
Strategic Move
Unity to shut down IronSource Ads Network and explore Supersonic sale as revenue beats guidance
The ironSource Ads Network will officially cease operations on April 30th 2026
Esports Growth
Honor of Kings World Cup 2026 brings Honor of Kings and Arena of Valor teams together
Twenty teams from multiple regional leagues will compete for a $3m prize pool at the event in Riyadh
Funding For Games
LVL Zero receives over 240 applications as new wave of Indian game studios takes shape
More than 30% of applicants are designing games with live operations and analytics frameworks from the outset
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Podcasts
Podcast | Episode 86
The final word on GDC | 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 86...
Podcast | Episode 85
The future of Xbox and Pokémon's 30th anniversary | 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 85...
Podcast | Episode 84
Scopely's $1bn Loom Games deal and Matthew Ball's State of Video Games report | 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 84...
Podcast | Episode 83
Supercell faces Clash Royale controversy and banks on innovation | 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 83...