Podcast | Episode 39
Tag: Regulation
Loot Box Investigation
Are the UK's top grossing mobile games really breaking loot box rules?
Gaming Trends
India's competition watchdog launches probe into Google's real-money gaming policies
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What Is Happening?
What is Microsoft doing on mobile?
Xbox's messy mobile plans stumble again
Cook Curses Commission
Donald Trump claims Apple CEO Tim Cook complained to him about multi-billion dollar EU fines
The former US president shared his conversation with Cook on the PBD podcast
Big Tech Breakup?
US mulls Google breakup in antitrust case
Tech giant labels DOJ proposals as "radical" and "government overreach"
Strict Laws
Australia sets new rules for games with loot boxes and gambling-like content
Games with interactive simulated gambling will automatically receive an R18+ rating
Game Regulations
Korea clears bill to regulate overseas gaming firms
The bill requires foreign game companies to appoint a domestic agent
Week That Was
Minecraft makes it to the movies and Microsoft strikes at Apple | Week in Views
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
Tech Giants Feud
Microsoft claims App Store’s 30% fee “makes it impossible” to monetise its cloud gaming service
"The 30% fee imposed by Apple on IAPs is the result of a lack of competition in the distribution of native iOS apps"
New Deal
Apple revamps business terms in the EU to enable App Store link-outs and out-of-store promotions
Developers can communicate and promote offers for purchases at a "destination of their choice"
Mavens
Mobile Mavens: The industry wades in on sexist ads, aiming to “drive meaningful change”
Our industry experts discuss why sexist ads are being created and what we can collectively do to combat them
Call To Action
It's time to stop sexist creatives in user acquisition - here's how
UA and marketing expert Matej Lančarič calls out the issue of sexist ads in the mobile games market and how this has got to stop
Industry Insights
“The mobile games industry has become stuck in the mud”: Apple’s war for its 30% revenue share
Analysts, publishers and payment providers discuss Apple's recent App Store policy changes in the US and European Union
Dmarmageddon Asteroid Incoming
DMArmageddon? It doesn’t have to be the end of the world
The EU Digital Markets Act will significantly impact the games market. Usercentrics reveals why game creators will have to get serious about user consent
Tencent Turnaround
China approves 32 overseas licences including Nexon and Tencent’s Mobile DnF
While an unstable landscape for games, China continues to prove a lucrative one
"don't Resist, Just Comply"
Spotify: Apple’s new EU rules are “extortion” and a “complete and total farce”
“The old tax was rendered unacceptable under the DMA, so they created a new one masquerading as compliance with the law”
Knock Knock
Apple to the EU: Catch me if you can
As Apple goes on the run, it challenges games publishers to gamble on their new, confusing terms and install fees
Tencent Tumble
Tencent's external investments have dropped 87% in two years
From healthcare to AI start-ups, the number of Tencent investments in external companies decreased from 299 in 2021 to just 39 in 2023
Passing The Buck
Top Chinese official removed following gaming crackdown confusion
Top publicity official Feng Shixin has been relieved of his duty after the release of work-in-progress tighter gaming regulations wiped $80 billion from top Chinese gaming stocks
Update
China's latest gaming crackdown: What's new and what it means for mobile's biggest game makers
The introduction of spending limits and bans on everything from regular login rewards to gacha gaming mechanics have thrown China's gaming giants into chaos
Tumble Guys
Tencent and NetEase lose $80 billion in market value as China cracks down on game monetisation tactics
New rules prohibit daily login rewards, first-time purchase bonuses and rewards for repeat spend
Meta Manoeuvres
Tencent backs Meta’s VR push into China after a 14 year ban
Meta and Tencent are teaming up to bring a new lower-spec VR headset to China, pitched between Quest 2 and 3
Trends
Chinese gaming trends revealed as 52% of the population play games
Trends, censorship, approvals, mixed genre games and more come under the microscope
Regulation
Apple and Google could be on the hook for $50.5 million fine in Korea
The KCC has sought remediation after accusing the two companies of anti-competitive practices on mobile
An Apple A Day
Apple's App Store steps into line to comply with Chinese regulations
The company has previously come under fire for the Chinese government, but it appears it's ready to play ball
Chinese App Market
Apple isn’t complying with China’s new app store regulations
The Cyberspace Administration of China has named 26 app stores complying with its new rules
Comment & Opinion
"Your mobile game studio is dying. Here’s how to save it"
Village Studios founder Will Luton takes a deep dive into the changing mobile industry and how developers can survive this evolving market
Chinese App Stores
China’s app stores begin compliance with China’s latest regulations
Tencent and Xiaomi are among the app store owners now complying with the government’s regulations
Meta Subscriptions
Meta may offer EU users an ad-dodging subscription service
The move would allow them to circumvent new EU policies regarding data collection practices
Week That Was
Week in Views - What caught our eyes in the last seven days
The Pocketgamer.biz team take their pick of this weeks big news including developer hardships, IP disputes and China's ongoing war against games
Chinese Restrictions
China’s game restrictions aren't working
A new study by Nature Human Behaviour has found that players are willing and able to circumvent restrictions
Chinese Restrictions
China to implement new restrictions on children's smartphone use
Just when it looked like China legislation was opening up, new moves to restrict the market are afoot
Loot Boxes
UK game makers agree to impose new restrictions on loot boxes
The controversial game mechanic has been the topic of increasing scrutiny in recent years
Sustainable Phones
Europe will require all phones to have user replaceable batteries by 2027
The regulation aims to extend the lifespan of gadgets and improve sustainability
Talks
Should you care what the UK government thinks? UKIE's Daniel Wood things you should
More attention equals better support, but far more scrutiny says the UKIE co-CEO
Legislation
South Korea could enforce an approval system for Chinese games
The Game Industry Promotion Law may soon be amended based on overseas practices
Event Highlights
Global trends, influencers and esports: insights from GameExpo Summit
Our first live event in Dubai delivered essential facts, figures and opinions about the worldwide game development scene (part I)
Payments
Japan to stop Apple and Google charging through proprietary payment systems
Alternative payment systems will need to be offered
Keep Play Safe
Roblox ads come under fire from the Children’s Advertising Review Unit
The platform was found to have breached the industry watchdog’s guidelines
Week That Was
Week in Views - What caught our eyes in the last seven days
The Pocketgamer.biz team take their pick of this weeks big news and discuss Apple's 'win' over Epic, all that AquiBlizz action and Scopely's stumble to victory
Mobile App Fraud
Consumers were exposed to $5.4 billion in app fraud during 2022
Games saw six times fewer levels of fraud compared to other apps
Loot Box Legislation
Australia proposes a crackdown on loot boxes and in-game gambling
The proposed changes would impose an advisory age limit on loot boxes
Tiktok Trouble
TikTok banned on government phones in the UK
The social media app has faced criticism regarding security concerns
Chinese Gaming Industry
Chinese games industry publishes draft of rules for self-regulation
The rules aim to address problems in the industry such as copyright disputes and gaming addiction without the need for government interaction
Aquiblizz
UK Competitions & Markets Authority rumoured to block Activision Blizzard acquisition
According to sources, Microsoft are actively anticipating a possible block on the Activision-Blizzard acquisition by the UK CMA
Revenue
Genshin Impact surpasses $4bn in lifetime revenue
Genshin Impact hits new revenue highs, bringing in over $4bn of revenue within two years of launch
Regulation
China lifts licencing freeze with 44 new approved international games
Chinese regulators granted 44 licences for international games to be distributed in the country, including to major corporation Tencent
2022 Highlights
2022 In Review – January’s Best Bits
As the year draws to a close, we take a look back with our pick of the stories that shaped the last twelve months. Starting with… January
China And Cyberspace
China’s Cyberspace Administration plans to confront mobile app "chaos"
The body aims to tackle a supposed prevalence of fake apps, illegal data collection and more