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Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Android.
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Epic Games increases Fortnite V-Bucks "to help pay the bills"
Epic Games is increasing the price of Fortnite's in-game currency, V-Bucks, starting March 19, 2026, citing increased operational costs. Several V-Bucks pack sizes will be reduced, and the Fortnite Crew membership will offer fewer V-Bucks. The main battle pass price is also decreasing. This change follows Epic's successful dispute with Google over app store fees.
$1M+ USD PAID TO TEEN DEVELOPERS FOR USER-GENERATED CONTENT IN MOBILE SIMULATION GAME ‘MELON SANDBOX.’
Mobile game publisher PlayDucky celebrated paying over $1,000,000 USD to creators in 2025 for user-generated content in its free-to-play physics sandbox game, Melon Sandbox. The game, available on iOS, Android, and browser, has surpassed 150 million downloads and features a robust creator economy where many top earners are under 20 years old, with some making up to $80,000 from mods.
MEDIA ALERT: New Pokémon Trading Card Game: Mega Evolution—Chaos Rising Expansion Sees Mega Greninja Facing Off with Mega Floette
The Pokémon Company International announced the upcoming release of the Mega Evolution—Chaos Rising expansion for the Pokémon Trading Card Game on May 22, 2026. The expansion will feature Mega Greninja ex, Mega Floette ex, and other powerful Pokémon ex cards. It will be available in booster packs, Elite Trainer Boxes, and collections, with prerelease tournaments starting May 9, 2026, and digital availability on Pokémon TCG Live from May 21, 2026.
Google Maps brings a 3D map to your driving directions
Google Maps is rolling out a significant update to its driving directions, introducing an "Immersive Navigation" mode that renders surroundings in 3D using AI. This update aims to improve driver orientation by highlighting landmarks and road elements, and also features more natural voice guidance. Additionally, a new "Ask Maps" feature powered by Gemini allows users to ask natural language questions for personalized recommendations and information.
Android games are getting a Gemini-powered AI sidekick to help you play better
Google is rolling out Play Games Sidekick, an AI-powered overlay for Android games that uses Gemini Live to provide real-time tips and strategies. The feature aims to help players without them needing to leave the game to search for external guides. Initially supporting around 90 titles, Google also announced other Play Store updates like free game trials and a PC hub.
Google Play adds free game trials and a dedicated PC hub for gamers
Google Play is introducing several new features aimed at gamers, including free game trials and a "buy once, play anywhere" model for select titles, allowing a single purchase to grant access on both mobile and PC. The platform is also launching a dedicated PC section to improve game discoverability and expanding its Play Games Sidekick with AI-generated tips and community posts for real-time assistance.
Buy a game once, play it on your Android phone and PC
Google is testing a new "buy once play anywhere" pricing model for games available on both Android and PC through Google Play Games. This system allows developers to offer a single purchase that unlocks both versions, eliminating the need for a second transaction. The initiative aims to make premium mobile games more competitive and encourage discovery across platforms.
Google Play Pulls An Xbox "Play Anywhere," Lets You Buy One Shared PC/Mobile Game
Google Play is introducing a "buy once, play anywhere" pricing model, allowing users to purchase select games on mobile and receive both the mobile and PC versions. The platform is also expanding its library of paid games, adding features like game trials, a wishlist, and community posts. Google Play Games on PC will also see improvements, including a new PC section and an expanded AI-powered Sidekick feature.
Settle In For Some Cozy Camping In This Week's Epic Games Store Freebie
The Epic Games Store is continuing its weekly free game giveaways, offering PC titles to users who create an account and enable two-factor authentication. This week's free games are Cozy Grove and Isonzo, with future giveaways including DLC for World of Warships and Electrician Simulator. The program also extends to Android devices.
LINE Games' Uncharted Waters Origin Collaboration with WEBTOON ‘Doom Breaker’ Underway!
LINE Games, co-developed by Motif and KOEI TECMO GAMES, has launched a collaboration for its Seafaring Sandbox RPG Uncharted Waters Origin with the WEBTOON 'Doom Breaker'. The update introduces 'Zephyr' as a new S Grade Admiral and other characters as S Grade Mates, alongside special events celebrating the game's 3.5th Anniversary and new features like 'Ship Inscription'.
Laid-Back Camp: Camping Cook-Off! launches March 18 for PC, later for Switch and mobile
The "camping action game" Laid-Back Camp: Camping Cook-Off! is set to launch on March 18 for PC via Steam. The game will also be released later for Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android devices.
Star Savior Worldwide Launch Scheduled for March 19 - GameHaunt
Studio B-Side announced that their anime tactical RPG, Star Savior, will launch globally on March 19, 2026, for iOS and Android devices. The game will feature English support, cross-platform play, and a pre-registration bonus offering over 1,000 free gacha pulls. Star Savior introduces a time-bending story where players lead a unit to prevent a past disaster.
Evening Mobilization
Google Play is introducing a new feature that allows users to test drive paid games before purchasing them. This initiative aims to provide a better experience for Android users by letting them sample titles.
MONGIL: STAR DIVE launches April 15 for PC, iOS, and Android, later for PS5 and Xbox Series
The action RPG MONGIL: STAR DIVE is set to launch on April 15 for PC, iOS, and Android. Later releases are planned for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The game will be available via the official PC launcher and Epic Games Store.
Numberess Is Wordle, But with Digits and Numbers, Out Now on Mobile
Numberess, a new mobile puzzle game inspired by Wordle's structure, has launched on Android. The game challenges players to guess a hidden number within six rounds daily, using color-coded feedback (green for correct digit/position, orange for correct digit/wrong position, grey for absent digit) and higher/lower hints. It allows repeated digits and offers a reveal feature after eight attempts, with daily puzzles and statistics tracking.
Everything starts sounding simpler”: Dragon Quest creator on translating Japanese into English
Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii and Paranormasight director Takanari Ishiyama discussed the challenges of localizing Japanese games into English. They highlighted how nuances in Japanese pronouns and speech can be lost in translation, leading to simpler dialogue in English. Voice acting is seen as a way to partially mitigate this loss of flavor.
The cozy hidden object adventure, ‘Lost and Found Co.’, is now available via Steam
The cozy hidden object adventure game, Lost and Found Co., developed by Bit Egg Inc., is now available on Steam and other platforms including iOS, Apple Arcade, Android, and Steam Deck. Players can find lost items, solve puzzles, and help a dragon regain her power in this 2D adventure.
Watch Kain Highwind in Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy
Square Enix has released a new trailer for Dissidia Duodecim Final Fantasy showcasing Kain Highwind from Final Fantasy IV. The trailer highlights his dragoon abilities and confirms Koichi Yamadera's return as his voice actor. The game is set to launch in March 2026 for Android and iOS devices.
UNDERTAKE A SUSPICIOUS MISSION, DISGUISED AS MAGICAL GIRLS, IN BLUE ARCHIVE’S NEW AMBITIOUS UPDATE
NEXON has released the "Magical Girl Heavy Caliber: Era's Ambitions and the Qualifications of Justice" update for its anime-style RPG, Blue Archive, on PC and mobile platforms. The update introduces new event story content, student recruitments including Suzumi, Reisa, and Rabu, and a Twitch Drops campaign. Players can download Blue Archive for free on Android, iOS, and Steam.
Nekopara Sekai Connect Mobile and PC Release Date Set
Neko Works and Good Smile Company have announced that Nekopara Sekai Connect will launch on Android and iOS devices worldwide on April 14, 2026, with a PC version for Steam planned for Autumn 2026. The game will feature visual novel elements, original characters, and gameplay involving managing a restaurant, collecting cards for versus matches, character care segments, and a rhythm minigame.
