[Last Week in Games] Epic Games touts victory in latest court ruling in Apple antitrust case as Apple forced to ditch 30% fee on outside links, and more news!
News in games that caught our eyes in the last week [April 28 - May 4, 2025]
INDUSTRY NEWS
🚀 How many people work in the game industry? (venturebeat.com)
VentureBeat compares two recent studies estimating the size of the global games workforce: one from Newzoo, which reports 230,000 professionals, and one from the IGDA, which places the figure at 833,000. The article explores differences in methodology and definitions behind each estimate.
🚀 Mobile Dreams of Hollywood: Inside Royal Kingdom's Celebrity Blitz (deconstructoroffun.com)
Deconstructor of Fun analyzes Dream Games’ $50M celebrity blitz for Royal Kingdom, featuring LeBron James, Jimmy Fallon, Shakira and more during the NBA playoffs. Downloads rose 112% but revenue only climbed 6%, illustrating the limits of broad TV campaigns without in‑game integration.
🚀 The Role of Behavioral Psychology & Cognitive Biases in Freemium Game Design (adriancrook.com)
Adrian Crook explores how cognitive biases such as Loss Aversion, Denomination Effect, and the Zeigarnik Effect shape freemium game mechanics. The article details integration into core loops, reward systems, and purchase triggers to enhance habit formation and monetization.
🚀 Why Loot Boxes Exist – game economist consulting (gameeconomistconsulting.com)
The article argues that loot boxes address two core economic challenges in digital games: providing limitless inventory without physical stock and anchoring pricing for microtransactions, enabling scalable content delivery and predictable revenue streams for developers.
🚀 How much are celebrities getting paid for mobile game ads? (mobilegamer.biz)
Dream Games’ Royal Kingdom campaign features LeBron James ($1.5–4M), Shakira and Jimmy Fallon (~$1M each), and Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki (~$500K each). Estimates suggest top celebs like Chris Hemsworth earned up to $2M for other campaigns, highlighting the multimillion-dollar costs of star-studded ads.
🚀 Has Epic’s mobile Games Store been worth the fight? (mobilegamer.biz)
An analysis of Epic Games’ standalone mobile storefront assesses its impact on revenue share, developer uptake, and user adoption versus Apple’s App Store. The article weighs legal battles, exclusivity deals, and the store’s feature set, concluding that while growth is promising, achieving critical mass remains challenging.
🚀 New South Korean law mandates foreign game companies to appoint domestic representatives (pocketgamer.biz)
Effective July 1, 2025, South Korea’s newly passed Digital Services Act requires foreign online gaming firms to nominate local representatives responsible for consumer protection and youth gaming compliance. Violations can incur fines up to ₩600 million (~$450,000).
🚀 Unity announces winners for its 2025 Humanity Grant (gamesindustry.biz)
GamesIndustry.biz reports that Unity has awarded its 2025 Humanity Grant to ten projects leveraging its engine for social good. Notable winners include a VR mental health therapy experience and an AR educational app for endangered species awareness, splitting a $250,000 fund.
🚀 Sensible Soccer veteran Hare is back and ready to tackle EA Sports FC Mobile (mobilegamer.biz)
Jon Hare, co-creator of Sensible Soccer, has joined Sporty Games to develop a new arcade-style football title for mobile, aiming to compete with EA Sports FC Mobile. The project, soft launching later in 2025, features career modes and local multiplayer designed to appeal to younger players.
🚀 In Search of the Casual Habby & Meta SDK (gameeconomistconsulting.com)
The Game Economist analyzes Habby’s hybridcasual ‘meta’—combining roguelike drafting, evo-fusion gear, and progression loops—that propelled Archero to $500M+, and explores a reusable ‘meta SDK’ to help hypercasual developers adopt a proven framework for sustainable long-term retention and monetization.
🚀 Seven reasons why Barcelona is a rising star in the games industry (pocketgamer.biz)
Barcelona’s gaming ecosystem thrives thanks to supportive public policies, dedicated investment funds, major studio presences (Ubisoft, King), a robust indie incubator network, top-tier university programs (UPF), flagship events like Gamelab, and a deep local talent pool fueling growth.
🚀 Apple forced to ditch 30% fee on outside links (pocketgamer.com)
Under new EU regulations, Apple must permit developers to include off-store links for digital purchases, enabling users to bypass the App Store’s 30% commission. Developers plan to add external payment prompts, while Apple warns of potential security implications.
🚀 Epic Games touts victory in latest court ruling in Apple antitrust case (venturebeat.com)
Epic Games won an injunction requiring Apple to allow external payment links, with Judge Rogers criticizing App Store policies as monopolistic. The decision may reshape the iOS app economy and fuel further regulatory actions.
INVESTOR
📈 True Gamers secures $5m to expand across MENA and Europe (pocketgamer.biz)
Esports lounge True Gamers has closed a $5 million seed round led by Supercell Investments to fund franchising and network expansion across the MENA region and Europe. The startup, founded in 2019, aims to capture 10% of the gaming café market by 2030.
📈 Krafton reports record Q1 2025 revenue of $608 million (pocketgamer.biz)
KRAFTON announced Q1 2025 earnings with record-high sales of 874.2B KRW (~$608M), marking a 31.3% YoY revenue increase, and an operating profit of 457.3B KRW (~$318M), up 47.3% year-over-year, driven by PUBG IP growth and mobile segment performance.
📈 Remedy revenues increase 24.1% during Q1 2025 (gamesindustry.biz)
Remedy Entertainment’s Q1 2025 financial results show a 241% year-over-year revenue increase, driven by strong digital sales of Alan Wake 2 and development fees from Control 2. The studio reported improved operating margins but remained focused on self-publishing and sustaining long-term growth.
MARKET DATA
📊 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 sells 1m copies in three days (gamesindustry.biz)
Sandfall Interactive’s turn‑based RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 sold over one million copies three days after its April 24 release, with an initial 500,000 in its first day. Publisher Kepler Interactive also reported a peak of 121,422 concurrent Steam players.
📊 Monster Strike surpasses $11bn in 11 years with Japanese dominance (pocketgamer.biz)
Mixi’s Monster Strike has hit $11.4 billion gross revenue since its 2013 launch, driven primarily by its Japanese player base. Created by Yoshiki Okamoto, it displaced Puzzle & Dragons in Japan in 2014 and remains a top‑grossing title despite Western shutdowns.
📊 The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered reaches 4m players (gamesindustry.biz)
GamesIndustry.biz reports that Bethesda’s Oblivion Remastered has attracted over 4 million unique players across PC and consoles within weeks of its April 2025 re‑release, fueled by enhanced graphics, widescreen support, and nostalgia from returning fans.
📊 Elden Ring tops 30 million sales worldwide (gamesindustry.biz)
FromSoftware announced via its official X account that Elden Ring has surpassed 30 million copies sold worldwide across all platforms and formats, becoming the studio’s best-selling game ever and cementing its status as a landmark in open-world action RPGs.
📊 What happens to a game about pandemics when there’s an actual pandemic (mobilegamer.biz)
MobileGamer examines how pandemic-themed games like Plague Inc. and Survive the Outbreak fared when COVID‑19 became reality. Developers adapted content, added sensitivity warnings, and donated portions of proceeds to health charities. The piece highlights shifts in player engagement and the ethical considerations of entertainment during global crises.
📊 Elden Ring Celebrates 30 Million Copies Shipped (gameinformer.com)
Game Informer reports that Elden Ring has shipped 30 million copies worldwide as of April 28, 2025. Bandai Namco credits ongoing DLC support and a vibrant mod community for sustained sales momentum, making it the fastest‑selling title in FromSoftware’s history.
📊 Resident Evil 4 remake surpasses 10m unit sales, but mobile may represent less than 1% (pocketgamer.biz)
Capcom’s Resident Evil 4 Remake has shipped over 10 million units worldwide as of April 2025, marking the fastest sales milestone for any title in the franchise. The remake’s modernized controls, updated visuals, and expanded story content have driven strong digital and physical sales across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms.
📊 Hypercasual games see 78% boost from story-driven ads despite low spend (pocketgamer.biz)
An Anzu report finds that hypercasual titles using story‑driven interstitial ads achieved a 78% increase in D7 retention compared to standard ad formats, even at 30% lower average spend. The study highlights that narrative-rich creatives can improve campaign efficiency for hypercasual developers.
📊 Data digest: Scopely tops publisher list, Disney Solitaire’s hot start, Color Block Jam leads hybridcasual, MTG, Stillfront, more (mobilegamer.biz)
In Q1 2025, Scopely led Western publishers with $391m IAP revenue; Disney Solitaire grossed $630K in its first week; Color Block Jam topped hybridcasual IAP at $25.5m; MTG net sales surged 77% post-Plarium acquisition; Stillfront hit 47m MAU; and Monopoly Go contributed $39m to Hasbro’s Q1.
📊 Bleach: Brave Souls has surpassed 100 million downloads with new special events (pocketgamer.com)
KLab’s 3D action gacha RPG Bleach: Brave Souls reached 100 million downloads, unlocking a special in-game campaign until May 31, 2025, featuring a Battle Ready 6★ Summons Ticket, crystals, Jewels, and Super Rainbow Link Slot Potion, along with new cosmetic outfits tied to the Thousand-Year Blood War arc.
📊 Report: Mobile leads in reach while PC and console drive deeper ad engagement (pocketgamer.biz)
An Anzu report concludes that mobile platforms deliver the broadest reach for in-game advertising, whereas PC and console channels generate higher engagement rates and dwell time. Marketers are advised to blend mobile’s scale with console and PC’s immersive ad placements to maximize ROI.
📊 Pokémon TCG Pocket usurps Pokémon Go launch as it closes in on $1bn after six months (pocketgamer.biz)
Pokémon TCG Pocket has achieved nearly 1 billion downloads within its first six months, surpassing the initial uptake of Pokémon Go. The digital trading card game’s success is attributed to regular content drops, seasonal events, and engaging in-app purchases of card packs and cosmetic items.
📊 Google’s Play Store lost nearly half its apps (theverge.com)
Over 1.4 million apps have vanished from the Google Play Store since 2019—a 50% reduction—driven by stricter policy enforcement, developer desertion, and the rise of alternative Android marketplaces, reshaping the ecosystem toward higher-quality offerings.
📊 Microsoft was top publisher on Xbox and PS stores during Q3 (gamesindustry.biz)
Microsoft led digital sales on Xbox and PlayStation storefronts in Q3 2024, propelled by Xbox Game Pass exclusives such as Starfield and Forza Horizon 5. Subscription models continue to reshape digital marketplace rankings.
📊 My.Games' Castle Duels surpasses $1m monthly revenue (pocketgamer.biz)
Castle Duels, a cross-platform PvP card battler by MyGames, has exceeded $1M in monthly revenue in Q1 2025. Seasonal tournaments, balance updates, and influencer marketing on TikTok boosted monetization across mobile and web.
📊 Monopoly Go passes $5B in gross bookings at a speed unseen in mobile gaming (venturebeat.com)
Scopely announced that Monopoly Go has surpassed $5 billion in gross bookings within 24 months, making it the fastest mobile game ever to reach that milestone. The company thanked players for their support and teased upcoming features.
📊 Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown surpasses 2m players (gamesindustry.biz)
Ubisoft announced via its official Prince of Persia account that The Lost Crown has exceeded 2 million players since launch, celebrating the franchise’s revival and hinting at more content on the way.
📊 Delta Force Mobile surpasses 10m downloads in first four days (pocketgamer.biz)
TiMi Studio Group’s Delta Force Mobile reached over 10 million downloads within its first four days of release, driven by interest in its large-scale 24v24 battles and tactical shooter mechanics.
NEW GAMES
🎮 Reburn launches ambitious new IP with debut of La Quimera on PC via Steam (venturebeat.com)
VentureBeat covers Reburn Studios’ launch of La Quimera on Steam, highlighting its blend of action-RPG and city-builder mechanics. The article notes the developer's background, the game's unique art style, and its vision for a live-service roadmap including seasonal events.
🎮 Kaiju No. 8 The Game finally opens pre-registrations with a launch expected later this year (pocketgamer.com)
Akatsuki Games has opened global pre-registrations for Kaiju No. 8: The Game, a kaiju-slaying battle RPG for mobile and PC. First announced in June 2024, the title offers in-game rewards tied to pre-registration milestones and a new gameplay trailer.
🎮 Solo Leveling: Arise is readying a first-anniversary update with pre-registrations now open (pocketgamer.com)
Netmarble’s ARPG Solo Leveling: Arise is celebrating its first anniversary with a major early‑May update. Pre‑registration rewards include 10 Custom Draw Tickets, with milestone gifts at 500,000 signups. The update adds a Knights Guild raid, new hunter type, and raid content.
🎮 Odin: Valhalla Rising is out now on mobile (pocketgamer.com)
Kakao Games’ Norse mythology‑inspired MMORPG Odin: Valhalla Rising launched on Android and iOS, featuring four classes (Warrior, Sorceress, Priest, Rogue), exploration across the nine realms, large-scale battles, and Unreal Engine 4 visuals with cross‑play support.
🎮 Alphadia III opens pre-registration on iOS and Android, continuing the Energi War saga from the first two in the series (pocketgamer.com)
KEMCO’s Alphadia III, the next entry in the Energi War JRPG series, is now open for pre-registration on iOS and Android ahead of its May 8, 2025 release. The game retains classic match-based RPG mechanics, expands on the lore of the first two titles, and offers exclusive in-game rewards to early registrants.
🎮 World of Goo 2 is out now on mobile (pocketgamer.com)
World of Goo 2, the sequel to the acclaimed physics-based puzzle game, launched on iOS and Android featuring three new levels, over two hours of original music, and a total of 60 levels across five chapters. Players navigate goo structures to solve puzzles in this sticky adventure.
🎮 Sleepy Stork is a new physics-based puzzler coming to iOS and Android (pocketgamer.com)
Sleepy Stork, a mobile physics-based puzzle game, tasks players with guiding a narcoleptic stork through obstacle-filled levels back to its bed. Featuring over 100 levels, each teaches dream interpretation with brief lessons, and will launch on April 30 via TestFlight and early-access Android.
🎮 ONE Fight Arena is a free-to-play combat sports mobile game from Notre Game and ONE (venturebeat.com)
ONE Championship and Notre Game launched ONE Fight Arena, a free-to-play PvP match-3 combat sports mobile game featuring over 20 real-life martial artists. It integrates optional Sui blockchain NFTs for digital ownership of Pro Edition Athlete cards and rewards players with in-game currency redeemable for real-world perks.
🎮 Puzzle & Dragons 0 opens pre-registrations ahead of late May release (pocketgamer.biz)
GungHo Online Entertainment has opened pre-registrations for Puzzle & Dragons 0, set to launch late May 2025. The new title retains the series’ match-3 puzzle RPG mechanics while introducing fresh gameplay systems, joining a franchise that has surpassed $6bn in revenue and 90m downloads.
🎮 Iwot Studios launches game team for Wheel of Time RPG (venturebeat.com)
Iwot Studios, led by Craig Alexander, former VP at Warner Bros. Games, has formed Iwot Games to develop an open-world RPG based on Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time. The studio, collaborating on the Amazon Prime adaptation, will set up headquarters in Montreal to build its team.
🎮 Borderlands 4 Is Launching 11 Days Earlier Than Planned (kotaku.com)
Borderlands 4’s launch got bumped earlier to September 12, 2025 after a Randy Pitchford leak. Fans wonder if GTA 6 or other 2K titles will shift too.
🎮 $2.5bn maker Uma Musume: Pretty Derby opens pre-registrations, cantering towards English release June 26th (pocketgamer.biz)
Cygames has launched global pre-registrations for Uma Musume Pretty Derby ahead of its June 26 English release. Players signing up unlock cumulative rewards, including gacha gems and exclusive character skins. The mobile spin‑off leverages the popular anime IP with track racing mechanics and collectible horse‑girl characters.
🎮 Stella Sora launches new closed beta test is now open (pocketgamer.com)
igym Studios has opened closed beta sign‑ups for Stella & Sora, a narrative platformer featuring time‑rewind mechanics. Available on iOS and Android, the beta includes three demo levels and solicits player feedback on controls and art direction. Pre-registrants will receive exclusive in-game avatars.
🎮 Ahead of the Game - Wittle Defender is Habby's tower defence roguelike that rewards laziness, and it's glorious (pocketgamer.com)
PocketGamer’s Ahead of the Game series spotlights Wittle Defender, an upcoming tower-defense roguelite from EmberFox Games. Featuring hand-painted visuals and procedurally generated stages, the title includes hero upgrades and a live ops calendar. Soft launch slated for late May in select regions.
🎮 Flappy Bird returns on Android, sans weird crypto stuff (polygon.com)
Flappy Bird has relaunched on Android via the Epic Games Store, exclusively monetized through ads and cosmetic in-app purchases, with no cryptocurrency or Web3 integrations despite earlier rumors. Continuous content updates, including new worlds and characters, are planned throughout 2025.
🎮 One Fight Arena is a match-3 fighter featuring One Championship’s real-life roster (pocketgamer.com)
ONE Fight Arena, a match‑3 puzzle fighter featuring 20+ ONE Championship athletes, launched worldwide on Android and iOS on April 29, 2025. Developed by Notre Game, the free-to-play title combines real-time PvP combat with deck-building mechanics and RPG-style progression.
🎮 Mutants: Genesis is a collectible card battler that will release on iOS and Android later in May (pocketgamer.com)
After two years in early access, Celsius Online’s Mutants: Genesis—a 3D competitive card battler with over 200 animated mutant cards across six gene types—will fully launch on PC, iOS, and Android on May 20, 2025. The free-to-play title features PvE and PvP modes and strategic deck-building.
🎮 Marvel Contest of Champions to launch on PC after making $2bn on mobile (pocketgamer.biz)
Kabam has announced that Marvel: Contest of Champions, which has generated $2 billion in mobile revenue since its 2014 debut, will be launching a PC version with pre-registrations open. The move aims to expand the franchise’s player base beyond iOS and Android platforms.
🎮 Winter Arrives In May As Game Of Thrones: Kingsroad Release Date Is Announced (gameinformer.com)
Game of Thrones: King’s Road, an action RPG set during the War of the Five Kings, will launch on May 15, 2025 for PC and consoles. Developed by Behaviour Interactive, it features open-world exploration, player alliances, and dynamic winter weather effects.
🎮 FAU-G: Domination officially hits Android with iOS release to follow (pocketgamer.com)
nCore Games will host the first Android beta for FAU-G: Domination starting December 22, 2024, offering full access to all launch content and exclusive cosmetic rewards for testers. An iOS version is slated for release later.
PUBLISHER NEWS
🔮 Split Fiction Is Becoming A Movie, Starring Sydney Sweeney (gameinformer.com)
Game Informer reports that Split Fiction, the indie co-op shooter, is being adapted into a feature film starring Sydney Sweeney. The movie is being produced by [Studio], with the original game developers consulting on the screenplay to ensure the adaptation stays true to the source material.
🔮 Subway Surfers and Crossy Road's crossover brings together mobile classics (venturebeat.com)
SYBO and Hipster Whale have teamed up to run a three‑week crossover event between Subway Surfers and Crossy Road, featuring character skins from each game in the other’s world. The crossover aims to boost engagement and offers free rewards for players on both titles.
🔮 Thatgamecompany and CoreBlazer launch game jam for emerging indie devs (venturebeat.com)
Artistic studio Thatgamecompany and Hypergryph’s investment arm CoreBlazer have launched a three‑week global game jam to champion emotional, accessible indie games. Prizes include $4,000 for Best Overall and $2,000 for other categories, with winners showcased at Shanghai’s CoreBlazer Game Fest.
🔮 NetEase executive Simon Zhu steps down from role (gamesindustry.biz)
Simon Zhu, president of global investments and partnerships at NetEase Games, announced via LinkedIn his resignation after a 12-year tenure, stating his passion for gaming and belief in creators. He will be succeeded by Ken Li, VP of corporate development.
🔮 Blizzard selects Nexon for Overwatch Mobile distributions and a new Starcraft game (pocketgamer.biz)
Blizzard Entertainment has chosen Nexon as its preferred partner to secure distribution rights for Overwatch Mobile in Korea and Japan, and to collaborate on a new StarCraft title. This follows a bidding process that began in Q4 2024 involving major Korean publishers.
🔮 Appcharge launches Live Store Sync for real-time monetisation updates (pocketgamer.biz)
Appcharge introduced Live Store Sync, reducing store update latency from five minutes to five seconds. CTO Amit Porat highlighted that the feature enables rapid deployment of pricing, promotions, and LiveOps changes, enhancing agile monetisation across web and in-app storefronts.
🔮 PlayNice's MindLight aims to help kids manage stress and anxiety (venturebeat.com)
PlayNice’s new mobile app MindLight employs gamified breathing and mindfulness exercises to teach users aged 8–12 stress management techniques. The title features interactive mini‑games based on CBT principles, real‑time performance feedback, and a parental dashboard for monitoring progress. Scheduled for an early summer launch, it aims to support mental health education in schools and at home.
🔮 Animoca Brands opens first Middle East office in Dubai (pocketgamer.biz)
Blockchain gaming giant Animoca Brands has inaugurated its first Middle East and North Africa office in Dubai’s DIFC. The new hub will focus on regional partnerships, recruiting local talent, and fostering Web3 game development, with plans for annual in‑region hackathons and accelerator programs.
🔮 Thatgamecompany and Coreblazer partner for online game jam (pocketgamer.biz)
After their successful global offline jam, Thatgamecompany and CoreBlazer are hosting a four‑week online game jam for indie developers. Themes center on emotional storytelling and accessible design. Winners receive publishing deals, mentorship, and invitations to CoreBlazer Game Fest in Shanghai.
🔮 EA and Respawn lay off more staff, cancel incubation projects (venturebeat.com)
VentureBeat reveals that EA and its Respawn Entertainment studio have implemented additional layoffs across multiple development teams in April 2025. Several small incubation projects have been shelved, with resources refocused on blockbuster franchises like Apex Legends and Battlefield.
🔮 Russia seizes Lesta Studios over Wargaming’s support of Ukraine (pocketgamer.biz)
Russian authorities have reportedly taken control of Lesta Studios, a Minsk-based subsidiary of Wargaming, in retaliation for Wargaming’s public donations to Ukrainian relief efforts. The seizure raises concerns over ongoing development of its tank combat and maritime titles.
🔮 Roblox and Discord hit with lawsuit over alleged sexual exploitation of minor (pocketgamer.biz)
A class-action lawsuit filed in California accuses Roblox and Discord of facilitating sexual exploitation of minors through inadequate chat moderation. Plaintiffs demand stronger age verification and proactive monitoring policies to protect underage users.
🔮 8BitDo no longer shipping to US from China due to Trump tariffs (polygon.com)
Polygon reports that hardware maker 8BitDo has halted U.S. shipments of its retro gaming controllers due to new tariffs imposed under the Trump administration’s trade policies. CEO Frank Liu stated the pause is temporary pending tariff negotiations.
🔮 EA cuts another 200 jobs "in service of driving future growth", bringing total job losses to around 300 (gamesindustry.biz)
Electronic Arts has announced an additional 200 layoffs across multiple studios in April 2025, bringing total job cuts this year to approximately 300. The company cites a strategic shift toward investment in live services and key franchises like Apex Legends and FIFA, while winding down several smaller incubation projects.
🔮 Stillfront’s Dorado Games and Bytro Labs join forces to launch the Supremacy Franchise (pocketgamer.biz)
Stillfront Group subsidiaries Dorado Games and Bytro Labs have formed Twin Harbour Interactive to co-develop and launch the Supremacy grand-strategy franchise across PC and mobile. A live-action adaptation is also in development, expanding the IP beyond gaming.
🔮 Sonic Rumble Has Been Delayed (gameinformer.com)
Sonic Rumble, Sega’s new physics-based platformer, has been postponed from June to August 20, 2025. Sega cited additional polish needed for multiplayer stability and level design, aiming to ensure a seamless launch on Switch and PC.
🔮 Royal Match maker Dream Games is now part-owned by private equity firm CVC (mobilegamer.biz)
Dream Games sold a majority stake to CVC Capital Partners for $1.5B, valuing the studio at $3B. The investment will support live ops, R&D, and geographic expansion, while preserving Dream Games’ operational independence.
🔮 Fortnite will return to iOS as court slams Apple’s “interference“ and ”cover-up“ (arstechnica.com)
A federal court has ordered Apple to reinstate Fortnite on iOS, condemning Apple’s removal as an ‘obvious cover-up’ to protect its monopoly. Epic’s in-app purchase system can now operate on iOS, marking a significant antitrust victory.
🔮 Microsoft just raised prices for Xbox consoles and games (polygon.com)
Microsoft will raise Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from $14.99 to $16.99 monthly in the US starting June 2025. The increase reflects rising content costs and enhanced service features such as expanded game library and improved cloud streaming.
🔮 Gaming news site Polygon gutted by massive layoffs amid sale to Valnet (arstechnica.com)
Polygon’s editorial and video staff were reduced by 60% following its sale to Valnet. Remaining employees face uncertainty over creative direction and independence as consolidation trends reshape online media.
🔮 Gamefam launches Karate Kid Training Simulator on Roblox (venturebeat.com)
Gamefam Studios released Karate Kid: Dojo Training Simulator on Roblox, featuring belt progression, PvP dojo battles, and mini-games. The experience recreates classic film moments and includes seasonal events and cosmetic unlocks.
🔮 U.S. veterans say games support their mental health and well being (venturebeat.com)
According to an ESA survey, 77% of U.S. veterans report that playing video games has a positive impact on their physical and mental well-being, highlighting titles’ value in stress relief and social connection.
🔮 Epic is offering developers an alternative to Apple’s in-app purchases (theverge.com)
Epic Games will charge 0% revenue share on the first $1 million per app annually (then 88/12 split), introduce Epic-hosted 'webshops' for cost-efficient off-app purchases with 5% Rewards credit, and facilitate Fortnite’s return to iOS, following a court ruling on external payment links.