Mobile Games
Ongoing coverage on Mobile Games.
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Tencent’s Final Fantasy XIV Mobile is sunsetting in China and the global version is now canceled
Tencent and Square Enix have canceled the development of Final Fantasy XIV Mobile. The game will cease operations in China on September 30, 2026, and will not be released globally. This decision was made due to business adjustments and market environment changes.
Netflix Says Part Of Its Games Business Is Up 600%, But It’s Still Early Days
Netflix has reported significant growth in its gaming division, with engagement for kids' mobile games surging 600% year-over-year. Cloud gaming has also seen a substantial increase in monthly active players, growing 11x since October 2025. While still in its early stages, Netflix sees strong potential and is refining its strategy, focusing on social and party games, with upcoming titles like Netflix Minigolf integrating popular franchises.
Pokémon GO Wild Area 2026 Event Takes Place in November
Niantic has announced the return of the Pokémon GO Wild Area event, which will take place in November 2026 in Sendai, Japan, and Mexico City, Mexico. A global version of the event will also be available from November 14-15, 2026. Ticket sales for both in-person and global events will begin in September.
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.
Spin Master lays off Paw Patrol: The Game devs two days after launch
Spin Master, the company behind Paw Patrol, laid off the entire studio of its subsidiary Originator Inc. just two days after the launch of Paw Patrol: The Game. The company stated that Originator's products and operations would be transitioned to the Sago Mini Team in Toronto. This decision comes five years after Spin Master acquired Originator Inc. for $29 million.
Best new mobile games on iOS and Android – July 2026 round-up
This July 2026 round-up highlights new mobile games available on iOS and Android, featuring titles like the Advance Wars-inspired Crownlings: Heroes & Conquests, the puzzle game Sky Lobby, and Netflix's Tomb Of The Mask. The article also reviews Mini Murder Mysteries, Rift Wars: Merge Arena, Quack Quack Attack, and Zomline Survival, offering scores and brief descriptions for each.
Com2uS Holdings' Soul Strike Collaborates with Nostalgic Hit, MiniGame Paradise
Com2uS Holdings' idle RPG Soul Strike is collaborating with the classic mobile game MiniGame Paradise. The update introduces six iconic characters from MiniGame Paradise as Ultimate and Mythical Pets, and includes a new minigame called Lask's Sea Spree, which offers players a chance to summon Ultimate Pets up to 100 times.
Niantic is rebranding the Pokemon Go games division under Scopely as Scopely Explore
Niantic has rebranded its games division to Scopely Explore following its sale to Savvy Games' Scopely. This rebranding aims to emphasize the exploration aspect of games like Pokemon Go, Monster Hunter Now, and Pikmin Bloom. The change is largely cosmetic, with development continuing under the new name over the next few weeks.
HOORAY! “BLUEY: LET’S PLAY!” CELEBRATES 75 MILLION DOWNLOADS WITH ITS “BIGGEST UPDATE EVER”
Budge Studios announced the 'Biggest update ever' for its mobile game Bluey: Let's Play!, coinciding with the title surpassing 75 million downloads. The update introduces a new Dress Up mode, along with Hairdresser and BBQ activities. The game is available on Apple App Store, Google Play, and Amazon Appstore with in-app subscription options.
Mario Kart Tour Is Getting Off Course, Announces EOS After 7 Years
Nintendo has announced the end of service for its mobile game Mario Kart Tour, which launched in September 2019. The game will officially shut down on September 29th, after seven years of operation. Sales of premium currency have been suspended, and automatic Gold Pass renewals are off, with players receiving subscription benefits for the remaining time.
Mobile game Mario Kart Tour is winding down
Nintendo is shutting down its mobile game Mario Kart Tour on September 29, ending service for the 2019 title. The company has ceased sales of in-game currency and subscriptions, and an offline version is not planned. This comes after a history of monetization controversies and statements from Shigeru Miyamoto about the challenges of mobile game development.
The retreat from mobile games continues as Mario Kart Tour and Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis will be taken offline later this year
Nintendo and Square Enix are shutting down their mobile games, Mario Kart Tour and Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis, respectively, later this year. Mario Kart Tour will cease service around September 29-30, while Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis will end on October 6. This follows a trend of major companies retreating from ambitious mobile adaptations of big intellectual properties.
Mario Kart Tour Will Be Unplayable After Nintendo Shuts It Down In September
Nintendo will shut down its mobile game Mario Kart Tour on September 29, ending its service after seven years. The company has suspended in-game purchases and will make subscription perks free for the remaining months. While Mario Kart Tour will become unplayable, other Nintendo mobile titles like Pikmin Bloom, Super Mario Run, and Fire Emblem Heroes remain active.
One Final Fantasy Game Is Shutting Down, But You’ve Still Got Time To Play
Square Enix has announced that the free-to-play mobile and PC title Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis will shut down on October 6th. The game, which recreates events from Final Fantasy VII and its spin-offs while adding new story elements, has ceased real-money transactions. Producer Shoichi Ishikawa cited difficulties in balancing development costs with player demand for gear and maintaining visual quality.
Xbox has lost five studios – so who is left to make new video games?
Xbox has undergone significant layoffs, impacting approximately 3,200 staff members and leading to five studios divesting from the company. Xbox leadership aims to refocus on core franchises and expand its daily audience to over a billion people through its services. The article details the remaining studios, their current projects, and their future prospects under this new strategy.
Pokemon GO developer Niantic has new name and new logo
Niantic, the developer of Pokemon GO, has been renamed Scopely Explore following its acquisition by Savvy Games Group subsidiary, Scopely. The company will continue its operations as usual ahead of Pokemon GO's 10th anniversary.
Mini Escapes: The Below Is an Escape Room Puzzle from the Makers of Forever Lost
Glitch Games, the UK-based studio behind the Forever Lost series, has released its latest mobile escape room title, Mini Escapes: The Below. The game challenges players to escape a jail cell by solving environmental puzzles and utilizing an in-game camera mechanic. Mini Escapes: The Below is available for $2.99 on the Google Play Store with no ads or in-app purchases.
Germany’s Mobile Games Market: Growing Revenue and a Diverse Community
Mobile games revenue in Germany reached approximately 2.7 billion euros in 2025, a 3% increase from the previous year, continuing a 25% growth trend since 2021. Over 28 million people play mobile games in Germany, with the average player age at 38.8 years and women making up 56% of the player base. The majority of revenue is generated through in-app purchases, driven by the free-to-play model.
Crunchyroll Unveils First Original Mobile Title Bananya Buddies, a Cat-Collecting Game
Crunchyroll has unveiled its first original mobile title, Bananya Buddies, a cat-collecting game based on the anime series. Developed by The MIX and published by Crunchyroll and TMS Entertainment, the game is available exclusively on Crunchyroll Game Vault for premium members. Pre-registration is open on the Google Play Store, and the game also celebrates the franchise's 10th anniversary.
NEKOPARA Sekai Connect New "Comm Mode" Now Available!
Good Smile Company and NEKO WORKS have released a new 'Comm Mode' feature for their mobile game NEKOPARA Sekai Connect, allowing players to interact with characters. The update also introduces a new catgirl named Tsubaki, a limited-time event called 'The 2nd Nyan Parade ~Festival of the Beasts~', and announces that a Steam version will be released in Fall 2026. The game will also be exhibited at Anime Expo 2026.