Hey there, mobile gamers! This week in android gaming news, we’ve got a mix of exciting new releases, some studio shake-ups, and a look at how the industry is doing. Whether you’re looking for your next game to play or just curious about what’s happening behind the scenes, you’ll want to catch up on these updates. Let’s dive into what you need to know.
Key Takeaways
- New games are hitting the scene, with Hill Climb Racing 3 soft-launching and Monument Valley 3 making a comeback.
- There have been some big changes in the studio world, including Netflix closing Boss Fight Studio and Ubisoft RedLynx potentially cutting jobs to focus more on mobile.
- Several games are celebrating major download milestones, showing just how popular mobile gaming is, with Pokémon TCG Pocket, The Battle of Polytopia, and Honor of Kings all hitting big numbers.
- The business side of things is busy too, with reports of a large buyout for AppsFlyer and new investments for Sensor Tower and Pax Animi Games.
- The industry is seeing some tough times with layoffs at Amazon and a significant number of game professionals, especially junior ones, leaving the field.
New Game Releases And Soft Launches
Fingersoft Soft-Launches Hill Climb Racing 3
Hey there, mobile gamers! Got some interesting android gaming news for you this week. Fingersoft, the folks behind the super popular Hill Climb Racing series, have just soft-launched the next installment, Hill Climb Racing 3. Right now, you can grab it if you’re in the UK, Norway, Sweden, or Finland. It’s always cool to see a new entry in a series that’s been around for a while, and this one is definitely one of the good news apps for android to keep an eye on. We’ll be watching to see when it rolls out everywhere else. You might even want to add a reminder to your android news widget!
Monument Valley 3 Returns To Android And iOS This December
Get ready, puzzle fans! The beautiful and mind-bending Monument Valley series is making a comeback. Monument Valley 3 is set to launch on both Android and iOS devices this December. If you’ve played the previous games, you know what to expect: stunning visuals, clever puzzles, and a story that really pulls you in. It’s always a good sign for android news when a beloved franchise returns. This is definitely one to mark on your calendar if you’re looking for something new and engaging to play.
Studio News And Restructures
Netflix Shuts Down Boss Fight Studio
Well, this is a bit of a bummer. Netflix has decided to close down Boss Fight Studio, the team behind games like Squid Game Unleashed. It’s always tough android gaming news to see a studio go, especially one that was working on games based on popular IPs. While the studio itself is shutting its doors, it’s worth noting that games like Netflix Stories and Squid Game Unleashed will still be available to play. So, if you were enjoying those, you can still jump in.
Ubisoft RedLynx Eyes Job Cuts, Shifts Focus To Mobile
Over at Ubisoft RedLynx, there’s some significant restructuring happening. Reports suggest the Helsinki-based studio is looking at cutting around 60 jobs. The big shift here is that they’re planning to focus more on mobile game development. It’s a big change for the studio, and it’ll be interesting to see what kind of mobile titles they come up with. This move might be a sign of broader trends in the industry, where studios are re-evaluating their strategies and perhaps looking to the mobile market for growth. It’s a tough time for those affected by the job cuts, for sure.
Industry Milestones And Achievements
Pokémon TCG Pocket Surpasses 150 Million Downloads
Wow, you might want to sit down for this one. Pokémon TCG Pocket has absolutely blown up, hitting over 150 million downloads in less than a year. That’s a huge number, and it shows just how much people love collecting those digital cards. They’re even rolling out new updates to make collecting even easier, which is pretty cool if you’re into that sort of thing.
The Battle Of Polytopia Hits 25 Million Downloads
Another big win this week is The Battle of Polytopia. This strategy game has now reached 25 million downloads. It’s been chugging along with steady updates, like those weekly android gaming news challenges and new skins, and it’s clearly paying off. It’s great to see a game keep growing like that.
Honor Of Kings Surpasses 260 Million Global MAUs
And then there’s Honor of Kings. This game is just massive, now boasting over 260 million monthly active users worldwide. The numbers from its Chinese server are particularly wild, with daily active users hitting nearly 139 million. That’s a big jump from last year, showing it’s still a giant in the mobile gaming world.
Major Deals And Investments
AppsFlyer Nearing $3 Billion Buyout
So, it looks like AppsFlyer might be getting bought out. Word on the street is that the deal could be worth around $3 billion. Apparently, four different investment funds have made it to the final round of bidding. This is pretty big news for the mobile marketing analytics space. Keep an eye on this one as it develops.
Sensor Tower Secures New Investment For Generative AI Insights
Sensor Tower, a company that keeps tabs on the app market, just got a fresh injection of cash. They’re planning to use this new funding to really push forward with their android gaming news generative AI tools. If you’re into understanding app trends and what makes them tick, this could mean some interesting new ways to get that info. It’s good to see companies investing in AI for better insights, which is something you might look for in the best business news app for android.
Istanbul-Based Pax Animi Games Raises $250,000
Over in Istanbul, Pax Animi Games has managed to raise $250,000. They’re a mobile game studio, and this money is going to help them grow their games, reach new places, and generally beef up their technology. It’s always good to see smaller studios getting the funding they need to make cool stuff.
Partnerships And Collaborations
Stability AI And EA Partner On Generative AI Tools
Big news on the tech front! Stability AI and EA are teaming up to work on generative AI tools for making games. This is pretty interesting because it could really change how games are made. Think faster prototyping and maybe even new ways to tell stories in games. It’s all about making the creative process smoother and quicker. Keep an eye on this one, it might lead to some cool stuff down the line.
Gadsme Teams Up With Zynga For In-Game Ads
If you play games on your phone, you’ve probably seen ads. Well, Gadsme and Zynga are joining forces to put ads right into some of Zynga’s games. The idea is to make these ads feel like they belong, not just tacked on. They want to make sure the ads don’t mess with your game time too much, while still helping out with making money. It’s a tricky balance, but we’ll see how it plays out.
Mattel Expands Roblox Partnership With Monster High Debut
Remember Monster High? Well, Mattel is bringing it to Roblox. They’re expanding their partnership on the platform, and this is actually Mattel’s first game they’re publishing android gaming news themselves on Roblox. It’s set to launch on October 24th. This move shows how companies are looking to new platforms to connect with players, especially younger ones.
Sports Interactive Signs Multi-Year Football Manager Partnership With FIFA
For all you football fans out there, this is big. Sports Interactive, the folks behind Football Manager, have signed a long-term deal with FIFA. What does this mean for you? Well, the upcoming Football Manager 2026 will include the FIFA World Cup, the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. It’s a pretty significant move that brings two major names in football gaming together.
Layoffs And Industry Outlook
Amazon Cuts Corporate Jobs, Including Gaming Division Roles
It’s been a tough week for the job market, and unfortunately, the gaming industry isn’t immune. Amazon has announced significant corporate layoffs, and these cuts are hitting their gaming division too. This news comes as a bit of a shock, especially considering Amazon’s size and reach. They’re apparently trying to operate more like a startup, which, while sometimes a good strategy, often means tough decisions about staffing. It’s a stark reminder that even the biggest players in tech and gaming have to make adjustments.
Survey: One In Four Game Professionals Laid Off
Adding to the somber mood, a recent survey paints a pretty grim picture for game developers. It turns out that about one in every four people working in the games industry has faced a layoff over the past year. That’s a huge number, and it really shows the instability that many are dealing with right now. It makes you wonder about the future, doesn’t it? This isn’t just a few isolated incidents; it’s a widespread trend affecting a significant chunk of the workforce. It’s tough out there for a lot of folks trying to make a living in this field.
39% Of Junior Professionals Exited The Industry
And if that wasn’t enough, the survey also revealed something particularly worrying about newer talent. A massive 39% of junior professionals have actually left the gaming industry altogether. This is a big deal because these are the people who are supposed to be the future of game development. When so many fresh faces are exiting, it raises questions about career progression, job security, and the overall health of the industry for those just starting out. It’s a concerning statistic that suggests a real problem with retaining entry-level talent.
Platform And Engine Updates
Unreal Engine’s Mobile Strategy
So, you’re probably wondering what’s up with Unreal Engine and mobile games, right? Epic Games is making sure mobile isn’t just an afterthought anymore. They’re really pushing to make it a core part of what Unreal Engine is all about. This means you can expect more tools and support specifically for making games on your phone or tablet using UE5. It’s a big deal because it shows they’re serious about the mobile space and want to give developers the power to create some pretty amazing stuff for mobile.
US Google Play Store Opens Up To Alternative Payments
Big news for anyone developing or buying apps on Android! The Google Play Store in the US is now letting developers use payment systems other than Google’s own. This is a pretty significant change. It means more options for how you pay for games and apps, and for developers, it could mean different fee structures. This whole thing is set to stick around for a while, until at least November 1st, 2027. It’s a move that could shake things up a bit in how digital goods are bought and sold on Android devices.
Wrapping It Up
So there you have it, a quick look at what’s been happening in the Android gaming world this week. From new game soft launches to big company news and even some studio changes, it’s clear things are always moving. Keep an eye out, because you never know what’s around the corner in this fast-paced scene. We’ll be back next week with more updates to keep you in the loop.
