Week in Mobile Games E52 - Tim Sweeney's epic App Store win and Tripledot's transformational AppLovin deal
PocketGamer.biz head of content Craig Chapple and news editor Aaron Astle discuss the latest games industry news on the 52nd episode of the Week in Mobile Games Podcast.On this week’s show we:Discuss the Epic Games vs. Apple ruling that is opening up the US App Store to third-party payments and what this means for the games industry and entire mobile ecosystem.Delve into Tripledot’s $800 million acquisition of AppLovin’s games business and dissect our interview with CEO Lior Shiff.Offer insights into emerging markets following trips to Gamescom LATAM and the Dubai GameExpo Summit 2025 powered by Pocket Gamer Connects.Provide insights into Japan’s ‘Golden Week’ holiday period and its impact on mobile games.** Let's Connect **👉🏻 Twitter - https://twitter.com/pgbiz👉🏻 LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/company/pocketgamer-biz/👉🏻 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PGbiz👉🏻 Website - https://www.pocketgamer.biz 👉🏻 Pocket Gamer Connects - https://www.pgconnects.com👉🏻Pocket Gamer Connects Speaker Submission form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdoS5n-vdHu6aU-2d_rR7x1FAgewG51y3nlU1aB8RdetiKaGw/viewform👉🏻 The Top 50 Mobile Game Makers 2024 - https://www.pocketgamer.biz/the-top-50-mobile-game-makers-of-2024/👉🏻 Download the PocketGamer.biz Mobile Games Developer Trends Survey Winter 2024/25 report - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3tbjUxVkG17CuHHljMblfmUC3DZ6gNAzV8qiz8bAALUXSvQ/viewform👉🏻 Join the AI Gamechangers newsletter - https://aigamechangers.substack.com👉🏻 How Tripledot's AppLovin deal is positioning it as a major global force in mobile games - https://www.pocketgamer.biz/how-tripledots-applovin-deal-is-positioning-it-as-a-major-global-force-in-mobile-games/👉🏻 Golden Week 2025: Pokémon TCG Pocket dominates, Fate/Grand Order falls, and a 2012 title makes a surprising rise - https://www.pocketgamer.biz/golden-week-2025-pokmon-tcg-pocket-dominates-fategrand-order-falls-and-a-2012-title-makes-a-surprising-rise/👉🏻 “Game over for the Apple tax” as US court rules publishers can freely link to off-store payments - https://www.pocketgamer.biz/game-over-for-the-apple-tax-as-us-court-rules-publishers-can-freely-link-to-off-store-payments/
--------
36:08
The Hard Conversation The Games Industry Keeps Avoiding—And Why People Are Talking Now
This week, Peggy Anne Salz and Brian Baglow welcome a true PocketGamer OG to the show. Joining the industry in 2001, Oscar Clark has worn many hats—one of which makes him instantly recognizable at every event—from developing some of the earliest mobile games to prototyping PlayStation Home to hosting countless PocketGamer Connects sessions. Now, Founder and CEO of Fundamentally Games Ltd, Oscar shapes strategy for studios to build regular, repeatable, consistent, and cost-effective LiveOps. He joins Peggy and Brian this week for an unscripted conversation about toxic advertising, player safety, and why the industry needs to take greater accountability for both—before regulation forces its hand.CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Intro 01:35 - Oscar's background in games07:55 - Misogynistic tropes in mobile games13:31 - Who regulates bad ads?25:03 - Who's responsible for the gaming experience?29:29 - Designing for vulnerable players38:00 - Internal regulation to avoid external rules42:31 - Favourite games Q&A
--------
47:12
From Dormant to Dominant: How Studios Are Reviving Old Games To Drive New Growth
Investing seriously in community engagement is one of the most cost-effective levers a studio can pull in a time when UA demands more budget space and organic growth remains the gold standard. But where should studios start, especially those with limited marketing spend? Mike Gallagher, Founder and CEO of Untitled Advertising Lab, says reigniting older titles can drive major growth (a 30% revenue increase for one game) and build loyalty far beyond paid marketing efforts. In this episode, he joins Peggy Anne Salz to share proven reactivation strategies, explain why community engagement needs to be a core business function (not an afterthought), and reveal how chasing virality could actually be holding your game's growth back.Mike Gallagher - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbriangallagher/Untitled Ad Lab - https://untitledadlab.com/CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Intro02:33 - Adopting an "Air Buddy" puppy03:47 - What is an engagement agency?08:00 - Reigniting an older gamer10:03 - Case studies with double-digit growth16:39 - Social listening on a shoestring budget21:19 - Mistakes to avoid25:00 - Are you on the right track?28:10 - Don't chase virality33:07 - Rapid fire Q&A for small studios37:05 - An engagement audit42:29 - One small change to make today46:48 - Favourite games Q&A* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Let's Connect **👉🏻 X - https://x.com/pgbiz👉🏻 LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/144491/ 👉🏻 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PGbiz 👉🏻 Website - https://www.pocketgamer.biz Check out more world-class speakers sharing their insights and expertise at one of our events. You can find details of our next event here - https://www.pgconnects.com/next-event
--------
50:42
Week in Mobile Games E51 - Regulators poke the Apple and Google monopoly bear
PocketGamer.biz head of content Craig Chapple and news editor Aaron Astle discuss the latest games industry news on the 51st episode of the Week in Mobile Games Podcast.On this week’s show we cover:The EU's €500 million fine to Apple over its anti-steering policies.How the US is getting tough on Google's ads monopoly.The news that Discord CEO Jason Citron has stepped down as it gears up to go public.Ubisoft's latest dance with blockchain gaming, this time with Might & Magic.Drake Star Partners' Q1 2025 report on games industry M&A and investment.** Let's Connect **👉🏻 Twitter - https://twitter.com/pgbiz👉🏻 LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/company/pocketgamer-biz/👉🏻 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PGbiz👉🏻 Website - https://www.pocketgamer.biz 👉🏻 Pocket Gamer Connects - https://www.pgconnects.com👉🏻Pocket Gamer Connects Speaker Submission form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdoS5n-vdHu6aU-2d_rR7x1FAgewG51y3nlU1aB8RdetiKaGw/viewform👉🏻 The Top 50 Mobile Game Makers 2024 - https://www.pocketgamer.biz/the-top-50-mobile-game-makers-of-2024/👉🏻 Download the PocketGamer.biz Mobile Games Developer Trends Survey Winter 2024/25 report - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3tbjUxVkG17CuHHljMblfmUC3DZ6gNAzV8qiz8bAALUXSvQ/viewform👉🏻 Join the AI Gamechangers newsletter - https://aigamechangers.substack.com
--------
37:41
Week in Mobile Games E50 - AppLovin and Machine Zone layoffs, celebrity marketing, and Supercell's aversion to soft launch
Tune in for a very special episode of the PocketGamer.biz Podcast Week in Mobile Games - it's our 50th show!PocketGamer.biz head of content Craig Chapple, deputy editor Paige Cook and news editor Aaron Astle discuss the latest games industry news on the Week in Mobile Games Podcast.On this week’s episode we cover:The early days of the podcast, strange mannerisms and our favourite moments from the Week in Mobile Games.AppLovin's latest round of layoffs impacting 97 staff and what the future holds for Machine Zone.Dream Games' celebrity marketing push for Royal Kingdom, starring LeBron James, Jimmy Fallon, Courtney Cox, Shakira and more.A Minecraft Movie's box office success - but is transmedia worthwhile?Supercell's seemingly growing aversion to soft launches - would Brawl Stars be successful as a new release now?How the Nintendo Switch 2 release date and features reveal impacted its mobile apps and games.** Let's Connect **👉🏻 Twitter - https://twitter.com/pgbiz👉🏻 LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/company/pocketgamer-biz/👉🏻 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PGbiz👉🏻 Website - https://www.pocketgamer.biz 👉🏻 Pocket Gamer Connects - https://www.pgconnects.com👉🏻Pocket Gamer Connects Speaker Submission form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdoS5n-vdHu6aU-2d_rR7x1FAgewG51y3nlU1aB8RdetiKaGw/viewform👉🏻 The Top 50 Mobile Game Makers 2024 - https://www.pocketgamer.biz/the-top-50-mobile-game-makers-of-2024/👉🏻 Download the PocketGamer.biz Mobile Games Developer Trends Survey Winter 2024/25 report - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3tbjUxVkG17CuHHljMblfmUC3DZ6gNAzV8qiz8bAALUXSvQ/viewform👉🏻 Join the AI Gamechangers newsletter - https://aigamechangers.substack.com
Welcome to your regular glimpse into the business of mobile games. Featuring interviews with games industry experts! Your hosts are the insiders at PocketGamer.biz, the top B2B site for the mobile games industry. It covers the people, technology and deals that drive this multi-billion dollar sector. In our ongoing podcast, you’ll hear the editorial team and their guests dive into the topics and themes at the forefront of the industry. You’ll get unique insight and exclusive Q and As, taking you behind the scenes on the international mobile games scene.
France