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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.
Pokemon GO Fest Finale 2026 Dates & Leak Details
Scopely has announced that Pokemon GO Fest Finale 2026 will take place on September 5th and 6th. Leaks suggest that Mega Greninja, Mega Delphox, Mega Chesnaut, and potentially Mega Zygrade will be featured. The article also briefly mentions an upcoming anniversary event for Clash of Clans.
Pokemon GO Hints At Removing Free PokeCoins from Gyms
Pokemon GO players are speculating about the potential removal of free PokeCoins earned from gyms, following a viral social media screenshot of a survey question. While Scopely has not confirmed any changes, the survey asked players how the removal of gym-based PokeCoin earnings would affect their interactions. This system is a primary way players acquire premium items like raid passes, and its removal could significantly impact player engagement with gyms.
Hasbro records $56M write down after scrapping 'several' video games
Hasbro reported a $56 million non-cash write down after cancelling several video games planned for 2028 and beyond. CEO Chris Cocks stated the decision reflects a new digital strategy focusing on key franchises like Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering, with an emphasis on cost discipline and owned platforms. The company expects its total digital spend to decrease annually by at least 25 percent by 2028.
Hasbro Writes Down $56 Million After Cancelling Several Games
Hasbro has recorded a $56 million write-down due to the cancellation of several video game projects planned for release in 2028 and beyond. CEO Chris Cocks stated this move is part of a refocused digital strategy prioritizing franchises like Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons, and successful mobile titles like Monopoly Go!. While Exodus and Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons remain in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, other projects, including one from Giant Skull, have been cancelled.
Hasbro Is Betting On Fewer, Bigger Video Games After $56 Million Write-Down
Hasbro has recorded a $56 million write-down related to its video game portfolio, leading to the cancellation of several titles planned for release in 2028 and beyond. CEO Chris Cocks outlined a new strategy focusing on fewer, bigger games, prioritizing owned intellectual property like Magic and Dungeons & Dragons, and concentrating investment on high-conviction titles and partnerships. While some projects like Exodus and Warlock remain on track for 2027, others, including a Dungeons & Dragons single-player action-adventure game, have been canceled.
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.
Pokemon GO Fest 2026 Make-Up Event Announced
Scopely has announced that the Pokemon GO Fest 2026 Make-Up Event will now be available worldwide to address technical issues encountered during the global event. The event will now offer 12 free raid passes, an increase from the original nine, obtainable by spinning gym discs. While the community appreciates the swift action, there is hope for further compensation for premium resources used during the problematic Sunday raids.
Pokemon Pokopia New Event Brings Exclusive Rewards
Pokemon Pokopia is launching a new limited-time event called Zorua's Hide-and-Sneak Contest from July 19 to July 27, 2026. Players can earn exclusive rewards by finding Zorua as quickly as possible, with competitive elements including personal bests, town records, and Cloud Island leaderboards. An update to version 1.1.1 is required to participate.
Pokemon Go Wild Area Announced by Scopely
Scopely has announced details for the Pokemon Go Wild Area event, which will take place in Sendai, Japan, and Mexico from November 6-8, 2026. A global version of the event will follow on November 14-15, 2026. Ticket information is expected after the current 'Forever Forward' season concludes on September 8, 2026.
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.
Pokemon GO Fest 2026 Make Up Event Details
Scopely has announced a make-up event for Pokemon GO Fest 2026 for trainers in the Middle East, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Africa who experienced technical issues during the global event. This one-day event will take place on Sunday, July 26, 2026, and will feature various raid battles, including special raid passes and increased remote raid limits.
A Warner Bros. Looney Tunes Game Is Shutting Down Soon
Scopely has announced that the mobile game Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem will shut down on October 15, 2026. The game will be delisted from digital stores on August 23, and players can use in-game currency until August 16. This shutdown occurs as Warner Bros. Discovery is in the process of being acquired by Paramount.
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.
Dronaldo: Drone Football League Combines Car-Football Chaos With Arena Shooter Action
Indie studio The Koala Republic has revealed Dronaldo: Drone Football League, an upcoming 3v3 vehicular sports game combining fast-paced football with arena shooter combat. The game features five drone classes with deep customization options and will include a solo campaign, online multiplayer, and local split-screen modes. The developer, Kel, aims to create an accessible yet engaging experience for both shooter and sports fans.
New trailer for Dronaldo: Drone Football League showcases class-based vehicular sports chaos
The Koala Republic has released a new trailer for Dronaldo: Drone Football League, showcasing its blend of vehicular sports and third-person shooter combat. The trailer, presented as an in-universe DFL recruitment video, highlights the game's class-based drone system and diverse gameplay modes, including a solo campaign. The indie title is coming to PC with an expected release date announcement later this year.
Aream & Co: Gaming M&A hits $2.3bn in Q2, highest level since 2022
Gaming mergers and acquisitions reached $2.3 billion in Q2 2026, marking the highest level since 2022, according to Aream & Co. Mid-market acquisitions, particularly in PC and mobile gaming, drove this growth. Despite a decline in mobile installs and spending, PC gaming saw a 13% increase, and Nintendo reported significant revenue gains from its Switch 2 hardware and software.
