Xbox Verdict
"Bad news for Xbox": Analysts react to the leadership shakeup at Microsoft's games division
Games industry analysts offer their insights on the future of Xbox as Phil Spencer exits and Asha Sharma steps in
Early In Endfield
Arknights: Endfield makes $46m in first month on mobile
The gacha game saw a boost with its first new character banner on February 7th
Growth Story
Loom Games CEO: "This is not an exit story - it's a new beginning"
We speak to Kübra Gündoğan about that big Scopely deal and why the team isn't intimidated by Pixel Flow copycats
Latest
Rainbow Six Ready
Rainbow Six Mobile launches globally today after navigating hiatus and extended development
After entering soft launch in August 2023, Ubisoft’s PvP mobile title is finally going global
Playbook
Rewarded UA unlocked
Gamelight offers tips and a playbook for managing rewarded UA campaigns
Pgc Summit San Francisco
Start GDC week with mobile-first business at Pocket Gamer Connects Summit San Francisco
Curated mobile games opportunities for partnerships, funding, and growth
Studio Closure
Tencent closes TiMi Montreal studio after five years
Studio was founded in 2021 to build open-world multi-platform titles
New Offerings
ByteBrew launches AI-powered cross-promotion network to scale app portfolios
The platform enables developers to target high-value users within their own apps and move them across titles
New Offerings
Roblox launches Global Parent Council to strengthen family engagement and online safety oversight
The council includes 80 parents and caregivers from 32 countries across four regions
Editor's Picks
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...
End Of An Era
Phil Spencer retires as ex-Instacart COO takes top job at Microsoft Gaming
Xbox president and COO Sarah Bond also exits the firm as Matt Booty is promoted to EVP and chief content officer
Ai Insights
AI can build your game prototype but it can’t build your strategy
Tom Storr from The Experimentation Group explores how AI is speeding up game prototypes and why experience is still key
Opinion
We need to value different ways of leading, storytelling, and problem-solving.
Jennifer Estaris on how inclusion benefits the whole games industry beyond fairness
The Pixel Flow team is the exact type of studio we look to invest in and partner with.
Scopely CRO Tim O'Brien offers insights into that big Loom Games deal
#Pocket Gamer Connects
Dubai Gameexpo
Tickets on sale with time-limited discount for global games industry event in Dubai
Dubai GameExpo Summit on May 20th-21st connects global business-makers with MENA’s games market
Pgc Summit San Francisco
The companies you can meet in San Francisco
From indie developers to the biggest brands in mobile represented at the games business event on March 9th
Pgc Summit Malmo
PGC Summit Malmö tickets on sale now
Pgc London
AppsFlyer talks buyer signals, player targeting and staying legally compliant
At PGC London, AppsFlyer SVP and GM, data collaboration platform Edik Mitelman spoke with global director of product Adam Smart about recent tech advancements and retargeting capabilities
Industry Voices
TÜrkiye's New Star
Loom Games' rapid rise to Türkiye's next unicorn
Scopely's acquisition of a majority stake in the Pixel Flow developer is the latest success story in Türkiye's vibrant mobile games sector
Week In Views
China’s rising chart power, Warzone Mobile’s final months and Pokémon Go’s PvP update | Week in Views
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
Staying Power
“Scale lets us focus on years, not quarters”: Unico Studio on building games that last
Unico CEO Erkay Uzun discusses why long-term live operations shape every core decision
Crushable Consortium
King and Yahoo Games: filling a bite-sized "appetite" with Candy Crush Crushable
Candy Crush Saga VP of marketing Luken Aragon and Yahoo head of games Andrew Pedersen discuss the new daily puzzle title
Mobile Games University
Ad monetisation basics in mobile gaming
Aurion11 CEO and Co-founder Igor Lautar gives a detailed rundown of mobile games advertising 101
#MENA
New Partnerships
Saudi Esports Federation partners with ROC Esports and Team Stallion to strengthen the Kingdom’s esports ambitions
The agreements centre on upskilling Saudi employees and athletes through programs delivered by the Saudi Esports Academy
New Partnerships
Savvy Games Group signs MoU with AUBH to strengthen student training in games and interactive entertainment
AUBH students will gain access to internships, studio visits and direct engagement with Savvy’s teams in Riyadh
Job News
Exel by Merak appoints Faisal Sedrani as CEO to lead its next growth phase
The accelerator is expanding beyond games into a broader multi-sector innovation mandate aligned with Vision 2030
Investment Shift
Saudi Arabia's PIF transfers $3bn Take-Two Stake to Savvy Games Group
The move consolidates Saudi Arabia’s global gaming investments under Savvy
Deals, Mergers & Acquisitions
M&a
Scopely acquires majority stake in Istanbul’s Pixel Flow developer Loom Games at $1bn valuation
The performance-based deal structure values studio in excess of $1 billion
Acqusitions
Clear Angle Studios acquires DI4D's technology and IP to strengthen performance capture offering
The deal brings together two long-standing specialists in high-fidelity digital performance
Crossovers
June’s Journey welcomes Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie anniversary crossover
Players will solve puzzles across iconic Christie-inspired locations in a cosy mystery format
Possible Acqusition
Report: ByteDance in advanced talks to sell Moonton to Savvy Games Group for up to $7bn
Sources say the transaction could close as soon as this quarter, with broad terms already agreed
New Offerings
Ares Interactive opens pre-registration for Baseball Hits 26 featuring Cal Raleigh
The mobile title is being developed by 7th Inning, staffed by veterans of the former MLB Tap Sports Baseball franchise
Funding News
Hogo Games lands fresh investment at a $10m valuation to scale its production pipeline
The Türkiye-based studio plans to expand its 13-person team and accelerate upcoming titles
M&a
Mattel acquires full ownership of Mattel163 from NetEase for $159m
Entertainment firm snaps up Chinese publisher's 50% share to value mobile games studio at $318m
Jobs News
Hot Five
Hot Five: Scopely acquires majority stake in Loom Games, Phil Spencer retires, and Unity shares approach all-time low
Our quick-fix roundup of the hottest stories on PocketGamer.biz
Executive Shuffle
Xbox's outgoing president Sarah Bond: "I’m proud of what we’ve built together"
Executive releases statement after executive shuffle at Microsoft's games division
Job News
Make-A-Wish International appoints Markus Wilding to its Infinite Wishes Advisory Committee
Former Activision, Rockstar, 2K and Private Division leader brings 30 years of global industry experience to the initiative
Strategic Move
Stillfront’s top shareholders call for extraordinary meeting to elect new board and chair
Laureus Capital and Knuth Capital have proposed a six-member board led by Lars-Johan Jarnheimer as chairman and Erik Forsberg as deputy chairman
Week In Views
End of an era at Unity, Resident Evil Survival Unit's future and Pokémon's Super Bowl appearance | Week in Views
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
#Regulation
Child Safety
Egypt blocks Roblox over concerns about child safety and harmful online content
The Supreme Council for Media Regulation is coordinating with telecom authorities to enforce the ban
Regulations
CMA secures fairness commitments from Apple and Google for UK app stores
The measures mark the first changes since both platforms were designated with strategic market status
Tiktok Troubles
European Commission finds TikTok in breach of Digital Services Act over addictive design
Infinite scroll, autoplay and personalised recommendations were cited as potential risks to users’ mental and physical well-being
New Partnerships
Court reveals secret $800m deal between Google and Epic Games amid antitrust case
The deal was revealed during a court hearing in San Francisco, with a judge questioning its impact on Epic’s legal demands
More News
Game Closure
Netmarble to shut down Seven Knights 2 in April
Publisher's focus is shifting to Seven Knights: Re: BIRTH and Seven Knights Idle Adventure
Winners Revealed
Grand Mountain Adventure 2 wins mobile honour at Swedish Game Awards
Mojang Studios’ Minecraft secured Best Live Service, while Candy Crush Saga earned a nomination in the same category
Strategic Move
Meta splits Quest and Horizon Worlds as it pivots the social sandbox app toward mobile
The company claims Horizon Worlds' mobile MAU grew more than 4x in 2025
New Offerings
UK government reveals expanded finance package to help creative businesses scale
The move includes a $60 million commitment to Redrice Ventures to boost seed-stage investment in creative firms
Manifesto
Scottish games industry releases manifesto calling for government support ahead of parliament election
The sector is urging the next government to strengthen policy, unlock investment and secure long-term growth
Celebrations
Finnish Game Jam 2026 produced 259 brand new games in just 48 hours
Hundreds of developers gathered under the theme “Mask” for Finland’s Global Game Jam contribution
Brazil Games set to bring over 30 game studios to GDC 2026
The delegation aims to position Brazil as a global development partner
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Podcasts
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...
Podcast | Episode 82
What do game developers really think of Project Genie? | 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 82...
Podcast | Episode 81
Ubisoft turmoil and what happened to Big Fish Games? | 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 81...
Podcast | Episode 80
Pocket Gamer Connects London 2026 unwrapped | 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 80...