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Draft of new EU law proposes sweeping restrictions on online games
The EU Commission has proposed the EU KIDS Act, which would introduce significant restrictions on online games sold within EU territories. These proposed rules aim to curb excessive use by minors, restrict communication between users, and increase transparency on in-game currencies and lootboxes. Separately, Nex Playground announced securing $150 million in funding as its active console sales surpass one million units, with plans for international expansion.
Nex Playground maker secures over $150 million to expand globally
Nex, the company behind the controller-free Nex Playground console, has secured over $150 million in financing to support its global expansion. The active play system has sold over 1 million units and is targeting Europe and Asia. The company also appointed Jeff Shouger as its new CFO.
Nex Playground announces $150m in new funding as hardware sales pass one million
Nex Team has secured $150 million in Series E funding, co-led by Baillie Gifford and BAI Capital, as sales of its Nex Playground active console surpass one million units. The company's subscriber base has grown sevenfold in 18 months to nearly one million. The new funding will support international expansion, inventory, and go-to-market initiatives, with former Niantic CFO Jeff Shouger and executive Bing Gordon joining the team.
Pokémon traders are allegedly offering puppies in exchange for valuable cards
Viral videos show individuals attempting to trade French bulldog puppies for valuable Pokémon trading cards, sparking outrage within the community. This practice highlights concerns about animal welfare and the extreme lengths some collectors go to acquire rare cards.
Potential EA and Savvy Merger Would Create Gaming Giant
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is reportedly exploring a merger between Electronic Arts and Savvy Games Group to create a major player in the global gaming industry. The potential deal aims to consolidate PIF's investments and improve coordination, though no final decision has been made and regulatory hurdles are anticipated. This move would combine EA's console and PC presence with Savvy's mobile gaming operations and could serve as a vehicle for future acquisitions.
Massively on the Go: Scopely sold out players for Go Fest 2026’s Go Fest Finale
The Pokemon Go 10th Anniversary Go Fest Finale, dubbed the Mega Finale, was a significant disappointment, marked by player dissatisfaction with the over-reliance on Mewtwo and the convoluted Mega Evolution system. Scopely's monetization strategies and perceived lack of value in event tickets led to low player turnout and morale, with many criticizing the company's approach as 'milking' the player base rather than celebrating the game's anniversary.
Report: Savvy Games Group CEO Brian Ward departs company
Brian Ward, CEO of Saudi Arabian video game conglomerate Savvy Games Group, is reportedly stepping down. Ward announced his departure to employees, stating it's the right time for new leadership during the company's growth phase. Turqi Alnowaiser, deputy governor of the parent Public Investment Fund, will temporarily replace him.
Pokemon Go September 2026 Events: Raid Bosses, Spotlight Hours, Mega Finale, And More
Pokemon Go is launching its new season, Twilight Trails, in September 2026 with a variety of events including Mega Ascension leading into the Go Fest Mega Finale. Players can expect new Raid bosses like Zacian and Zamazenta, debut Pokemon Maschiff and Mabosstiff, and a Gible Community Day Classic. The month will also feature a Super Mega Raid Day and a Phantump Catch Mastery event.
MMO Business Roundup: Savvy Games’ CEO, Nvidia’s AI filter, and PlayStation 5’s monetization
This business roundup covers several key developments in the gaming industry. Savvy Games Group's CEO Brian Ward is stepping down, Nvidia's DLSS AI filter is criticized for negatively impacting game performance, and Sony's CEO Hiroki Totoki outlined plans to focus on monetizing the existing PlayStation 5 user base, particularly PlayStation Plus subscribers.
CEO of Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group Brian Ward steps down after overseeing billions in mobile gaming acquisitions
Brian Ward, CEO of Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group, has stepped down after overseeing billions in investments, including significant stakes in Niantic and Scopely. His departure comes amidst concerns following Saudi Arabia's recent acquisition of Electronic Arts. Industry analyst George Osborn noted Ward's diligent work in building Savvy's portfolio, balancing acquisitions with ecosystem development.
Massively on the Go: Pokemon Go 10th Anniversary Mega Finale is less free and less content
The Pokemon Go 10th Anniversary Go Fest Mega Finale is facing criticism for its perceived lack of content and increased monetization. Players are expressing dissatisfaction with the cost of unlocking Mega Evolutions, particularly for starters and Mewtwo, which requires significantly more energy compared to other Mega Evolutions like the Primals. Concerns are also raised about the value proposition of paid event tickets and the potential for future features like Plus Moves to be similarly locked behind paywalls.
Pokémon Go’s Ban Wave Lends Weight to the Rare-Quest ‘Injection’ Trade, and Fans Suspect an Inside Job
Pokémon Go players are reportedly receiving 30-day account bans for acquiring rare Pokémon through 'injecting,' a method that grants access to unauthorized questlines. This practice, which has been rumored for over a year and involves selling these rare creatures for hundreds of dollars, suggests a potential internal leak or server hack. Developer Scopely Explore has not yet commented on the situation.
EA Has Officially Been Sold, And What Comes Next Could Be Painful
Electronic Arts has been acquired by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in a $55 billion leveraged buyout, making it the largest LBO in history. The deal has raised concerns about potential layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations due to the significant debt involved. EA CEO Andrew Wilson will remain in his position, but the company's future financial operations will be less transparent as it moves from public to private ownership.
AI startup Reforged Labs shuts down as the "gap we were selling into is closing"
AI startup Reforged Labs, which provided generative AI technology for mobile game marketing, is shutting down after three years. Despite signing six-figure contracts with major clients like Supercell and Ubisoft, the company struggled to scale beyond the gaming sector. CEO Robert Huynh cited the closing gap in AI capabilities as a factor, leading to the decision to cease operations rather than shrink the business.
AppMagic: Pokémon Go generates $48.5m during 10th anniversary celebrations
Pokémon Go generated over $48.5 million in in-app purchases during its 10th anniversary week, a new weekly record, driven by the Road to Legends event and Pokémon Go Fest: Global. The game ranked fourth globally for grossing apps that week and has accumulated over $6.4 billion in revenue since its 2016 launch. Scopely executives confirmed that a sequel is unlikely, with future developments focusing on expanding the existing game's community and features.
What does the next 10 years hold for Pokémon Go? More mechanics, better gyms, and "multi-generational play"
Michael Steranka, vice president of product at Scopely Explore, discussed the future of Pokémon Go, outlining plans for enhanced gyms, more community events, and features to facilitate multi-generational play over the next decade. Despite a recent change in ownership from Niantic to Scopely, the development team aims to maintain the game's core experience while introducing new mechanics and fostering community engagement.
It'd be an exhausting lie to pretend I don't like SNK, so I won't
The author expresses concern over Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund's acquisition of SNK and its influence on games like Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, citing the controversial inclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo. While acknowledging the necessity of funding in game development and the broad reach of Saudi investments across the industry, the author advocates for holding companies accountable for problematic decisions rather than boycotting entire entities.
Pokemon Go owner Scopely 'reorganizes' Stumble Guys team
Scopely, the owner of Pokémon Go maker Niantic, has reorganized the team supporting its game Stumble Guys, leading to layoffs. A spokesperson stated that the company regularly reviews game performance and has transitioned some impacted employees to other roles. The news follows reports of other departures from the company and comes after Scopely achieved $15 billion in lifetime revenue.
Massively on the Go: Pokemon Go’s 10th anniversary Go Fest sure was a thing that happened
The author expresses disappointment with Pokemon Go's 10th Anniversary Go Fest, viewing it as a missed opportunity that highlighted the game's dated mechanics and declining community engagement. Despite some fun moments in densely populated areas, the event's difficulty and reliance on new systems like Mega raids alienated many casual players, making it feel overstuffed and underdressed for a milestone celebration.
"It was like being back in 2016" Pokémon Go celebrates 10th anniversary by recreating the original trailer's Times Square Mewtwo raid
Pokémon Go celebrated its 10th anniversary by recreating the original trailer's Times Square Mewtwo raid event. Over 1,000 players participated in a community raid battle against Mega Mewtwo Y, with player avatars and Pokémon appearing on the surrounding Times Square screens. The event also featured in-game countdowns and raids/spawns representing each year of the game's release.
