Pocketgamer.biz Podcast
The truth behind mobile gaming's $17bn D2C market
We speak with Appcharge CMO Gil Tov-ly about its D2C estimates, the true value of the market and whether the trend is actually growing the industry
Mobile Mavens
"The business logic is understandable. The human cost is devastating": The Mobile Mavens on Xbox's restructuring
The Mobile Mavens discuss the latest on the Xbox reset, what challenges are ahead and why King and Mojang could play a central role in the company’s future
Xbox Redefined
The future of Xbox
Xbox's new North Star is engaging one billion players daily - we look at what that means for the business
Latest
Industry Outlook
Games industry M&A reaches $2.3bn in Q2 2026
The quarter recorded the highest deal activity since 2022
Milestone
Bluey: Let's Play celebrates 75m downloads with biggest update yet
The update introduces a new Dress Up Mode for character customisation
Pokemon Phenomenon
10 years of Pokémon Go: Making a phenomenon built to last
Scopely’s Kim Adams and Christian Kurlemann discuss forever franchises Pokémon Go and Monopoly Go at Pocket Gamer Connects Summit San Francisco
Esports World Cup
Esports World Cup 2026 officially opens in Paris
The event features a record-breaking $75m prize pool
Pgc Summit Shanghai
How Thatgamecompany and NetEase grew Sky's community in China
China has become one of Sky: Children of the Light's largest and most active player bases in the world - and the partnership behind that success runs far deeper than capital or market access
Abrupt End
Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis to end service in October
In-game events will continue to be updated until the end of service
Editor's Picks
Jobs Roundup
July 2026's Movers and Shakers: Xbox, Rovio, Paramount Games, Stillfront and more
Our regular roundup of the mobile games industry's movers and shakers
Mobile Games Awards
Voting opens for the Mobile Games Awards 2026 in association with Samsung Gaming Hub
Who do you want to win the industry's most prestigious awards this year?
In The Hot Seat
In the Hot Seat: Mattel163 COO Devin Nambiar on Uno, the East-West divide and life after the NetEase deal
Mattel163's COO Devin Nambiar gets candid about cross-border publishing and the NetEase acquisition
Opinion
Payers deserve clear expectations and for studios to sunset them with respect.
Pragma's Caroline Gao debates game owernship and Stop Killing Games
Sweden's success is particularly impressive for a country of only 10 million people.
Midjiwan CEO on The Battle of Polytopia's success and supporting Sweden's industry
#Pocket Gamer Connects
Pgc Nordics
Why the Nordics, why now?
How this small region with big results is ahead of the global game in 2026
Pgc Summit Shanghai
Why developers can't miss PG Connects Summit Shanghai
A gateway for international companies to access the world’s largest games market
Pgc Summit Shanghai
Who's funding, monetising and building with AI at PGC Summit Shanghai 2026
Inside the top sessions at PGC Summit Shanghai, as speakers set the scene for the ideas, insights and conversations they’ll bring to the stage
Not-so Mini-games
The key numbers on China's booming Mini-Games market
The Mini-Games market drove an estimated $7.65bn in revenue during 2025 from IAPs and ads
Industry Voices
Marvellous Mena
WOLF Qanawat on cutting churn with games, the three-persona system and building for a majlis-first audience
"In the MENA region, gaming is intensely communal. It's a digital extension of gathering in a physical ‘majlis’ meeting place or cafe"
10 Years Of Pokemon Go
How Pokémon Go's Ambassador Programme encourages community play
Pokémon Go ambassador Jupiter Hadley talks community meetups and bonus incentives
Week In Views
Game ownership, Love and Deepspace controversy, Pikmin Bloom's record revenue and WeChat's mini-game boom | Week in Views
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
Beyond Games
Inside June's Journey's leap from mobile game to bestselling novel with Death Wasn't Invited
Wooga managing director Dennis Korf and author Carlene O'Connor discuss bringing June's Journey into publishing and expanding the game's world beyond mobile
Marvellous Mena
iBloxx Studios on building StrayShot for mobile, seven-figure backing and the road to console
"We fully understand the scepticism around web3 gaming and that's exactly why our philosophy has always been 'game-first"
#China
Backlash Continues
Love and Deepspace cancels Bilibili World 2026 appearance amid ongoing controversy
The company will reimburse affected fans for tickets, flights and hotel cancellations
Pgc Summit Shanghai
Who's coming to this month's PG Connects Summit Shanghai?
The companies you could meet in the world's biggest games market this July 29th
Game Petition
Love and Deepspace 'bring back Valko' petition surpasses 229k signatures
The campaign has collected 228,970 signatures
Pgc Summit Shanghai
Newzoo director of consulting Ben Porter to speak at PGC Shanghai
A leading games market analyst joins the speaker lineup for Pocket Gamer Connects Summit Shanghai on July 29th
Deals, Mergers & Acquisitions
Funding News
Exclusive: Türkiye studio Bold Games raises $6m
Studio aims to grow the team and scale debut sort puzzle mobile game Market Match
New Partnerships
Scopely invests in ex-Umamusume Pretty Derby director's startup Studio AuKnow
The studio is led by former Uma Musume Pretty Derby content director Takuma Akitsu
Funding News
Tripo AI raises $150m in Series A3 funding round
Tripo AI plans to invest further in 3D foundation models and world model technologies
Acqusitions
Kepler Interactive acquires minority stake in Oro Interactive
The investment gives Oro additional resources and expertise to support its growth.
Pley Partnership
Xsolla partners with Pley to expand browser game monetisation for mobile studios
The partnership targets monetisation gaps in markets with limited app store payment support
Collaborations Roundup
July's Collabs Corner: Monopoly Go meets The Simpsons, Brawl Stars partners with Adidas, and more
The latest crossovers in mobile games, all in one place
Investment Incoming
PvX Partners secures $5m investment from MIT to expand user acquisition financing
The investment will expand PvX's user acquisition financing platform
Jobs News
Sweeping Cuts
Xbox to cut 3,200 jobs and divest five studios
Microsoft is laying off 1,600 staff today and will make more staff redundant over the coming year
Job News
Rovio CEO Alex Pelletier-Normand appointed COO of SEGA Europe's West Studios
Pelletier-Normand will continue serving as CEO of Rovio Entertainment
Job News
Supercell head of investments Jaakko Harlas departs
Harlas said he has no new role planned and will spend time with his family
Staff Strike
Ubisoft Barcelona staff strike over proposed layoffs
Workers are seeking guarantees that all 51 affected staff will retain their jobs
Jobs News
Stillfront CEO Alexis Bonte to depart
Search is underway for a new chief exec
#Regulation
Regulations
US Supreme Court allows Texas app store age verification law to take effect
Apple and Google are among the companies challenging the legislation
Google Loses
Google loses appeal against $4.7 billion Android antitrust fine
Regulators found Google used Android agreements to block rivals
Podcast | Episode 95
Direct-to-consumer banks $17 billion and Google rolls out fee changes | 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 95...
Mobile Mavens
"The question isn't whether it's the right intent, it is whether it will actually work": The Mobile Mavens on the UK's social media ban
The Mobile Mavens discuss the UK's proposed social media ban for under-16's
More News
Game Closure
Nintendo to shut down Mario Kart Tour in September
“Thank you for your support throughout the years”
Mobile Games Awards
Vote now! The Mobile Games Awards 2026 in association with Samsung Gaming Hub
Who do you want to win the industry's most prestigious awards this year?
Union Support
CWA vows action after Microsoft layoffs impact unionised Xbox game workers
The union plans to bargain over severance, job placements and recall rights
Strategic Move
Xbox CEO says mobile to play key role as Microsoft restructures gaming business
Asha Sharma said the Microsoft games division spread its resources too thin
New Offerings
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey launches Roblox companion game ahead of film release
The game has already recorded 1.7 million visits
Leadership
Xbox appoints Helen Chiang as first chief operating officer
The appointment comes as Microsoft continues a broader restructuring of its Xbox business
Xbox Reset
King and Mojang to report directly to Xbox CEO Asha Sharma after company "reset"
The Candy Crush and Minecraft developers were highlighted for their large player bases
Latest Videos
Podcasts
Podcast | Episode 96
WeChat Mini-Games uncovered and the Love & Deepspace Valko backlash | 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 96...
Podcast | Episode 94
PGC Barcelona takeaways, the UK's social media ban and Fortnite vs Roblox | 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 94...
Podcast | Episode 93
Record D2C revenue and international studios flock to Spain | 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 93...
Podcast | Episode 92
The Sensor Tower / AppMagic deal unwrapped and Xbox's random rebrand | 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 92...