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Ömer Yakabagi

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Future of Mini-Games: PlaysOut Secures $7M

PlaysOut, the UAE-based mini-game platform, just secured $7 million in seed funding, catapulting its valuation to $70M. The fresh capital will fuel its mission to revolutionize digital engagement by integrating its vast mini-game library into "Super Apps," driving Higher Revenue & User Retention. Power Players Behind the Round The funding was led by OKX Ventures, KBW Ventures, and Kenetic Capital, with backing from industry heavyweights like Pacific Century Group, Gam3Girl Ventures, Oak Grove Ventures, and Aptos. Big Moves & New Tech Last year, PlaysOut teamed up with Tencent Cloud, leveraging its mini-program framework to expand content ecosystems. Operating like a "Steam for Mini-games" or "Netflix for Game Catalogs," PlaysOut’s platform supports multi-engine compatibility and SDK tools, enabling seamless integration into high-traffic apps. 🚀 Coming in May: PlaysOut is set to launch its embedded SDK.

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Mobile Gaming Today: Gaming Investments Week

Hey Folks, GDC Week 🤟🏻 Hope you’re enjoying the show there. Me? Fully focused on growing Gamigion.com, so much going on here! 😄 Not sure about the next event, but I miss my Event MAFIA! 🔫 👌🏻 Top Gaming Content » Let Players Play Their Way: Personalization 🤟🏻 Gaming personalization isn’t just about algorithms tweaking things behind the scenes, it’s about giving players control. From Candy Crush’s speed toggle to Monopoly Go’s event rewards, the best games let players shape their own experience. More choice = more engagement, better retention, and a game that feels personal. The future? Less invisible segmentation, more meaningful player decisions. Full article here 🤟🏻 🤟🏻 Game of the Week » Lucky Defense Analysis: 111%’s Risky Bet That Won Big They took the classic tower defense genre, rolled the dice, and ended up creating one of […]

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Qatar Development Bank invests in SekGames

Istanbul-based mobile game studio SekGames will use the funding to expand its publishing activities and grow its gaming portfolio. Founded by Ali Osman K., Serkan Çotul, and Alper Kocabiyik in 2020, SekGames continues to make a name for itself in the mobile gaming industry with its innovative projects. Specializing in hybrid casual games, the company aims to deliver fun and immersive experiences for players. SekGames plans to use the funding to expand its game publishing activities and grow its gaming portfolio. The studio, known for successful titles like Police Station Idle, Dream Hospital, Coffee Shop Idle, and Money Print Idle, has been selected for support under the Startup Qatar Investment Program. With nearly 2,000 applications from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Türkiye, and India, SekGames stood out for its innovative approach and growth potential, earning a spot among the 11 selected startups. AppMagic: […]

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2025 Unity Gaming Report: Key Findings

The State of Game Development in 2025 The gaming industry remains a global powerhouse, with over 3 billion active players and revenue surpassing $184 billion in 2024. Yet, studios are navigating a turbulent landscape marked by layoffs, closures, and financial uncertainty. Developers are balancing bold creativity with risk mitigation, leveraging technology and strategic decision-making to survive and thrive. 1. Managing Risk by Reducing Costs Studios are prioritizing efficiency. 60% of devs focus on maximizing the value of existing games rather than launching new ones. Strategies include lean teams, debt avoidance, live ops investments, and increased use of efficiency tools. Latin America is an emerging hotspot for game success and market expansion. Studios carefully weigh live update models to keep players engaged without overextending resources. 2. Experimenting with Multiplayer Experiences Multiplayer remains dominant, but approaches are evolving. 64% of studios are […]

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Google Expands Mobile Gaming to PC

Google Play is making all mobile games playable on PC by default! Ahead of the GDC, Google announced new updates for Mobile & PC Gaming, including expanded support for Mobile Games on PC, New Dev tools & Upcoming Game Releases. Mobile Games on PC by Default Google Play will now make all mobile games available on PC automatically. Developers can opt out if they choose. Optimized games will have a special badge, while others will be marked as playable. Google Play Games for PC is also adding support for AMD-based laptops and desktops and integrating into PC start menus. New Developer Tools Google introduced several updates to help developers bring mobile games to PC: A new SDK for native PC games on Google Play Games with in-app purchase support. Updates to Play Console for easier build distribution across mobile and […]

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More Revenue, Less Fees: Samsung’s 80/20 on Galaxy Store

Samsung Revolutionizes Mobile Gaming with 80/20 Revenue Share & Cloud Gaming Innovations Samsung is shaking up the mobile gaming industry with a game-changing 80/20 revenue share model for games on the Galaxy Store. Announced just ahead of the Game Developers Conference, this move significantly undercuts Apple and Google’s standard 30% cut, aligning more closely with Epic Games' developer-friendly 12% model. Empowering Developers with Cloud Gaming Samsung’s mobile cloud gaming platform is redefining how developers scale their businesses. By eliminating the need for downloads, the platform allows players to jump straight into gameplay, enhancing user acquisition, boosting revenue potential, and simplifying game development with an extensive suite of software development kits (SDKs) and tools. Since launching commercially in North America in November 2024, Samsung’s cloud gaming service has already driven significant success. Take Vizor, the developer behind Klondike Adventures—since joining Samsung’s […]

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Mobile Gaming Rebounds in 2025 with AI & Emerging Markets

The mobile gaming market is bouncing back in early 2025, showing clear signs of growth, according to Adjust’s latest Gaming App Insights 2025 report. After a turbulent period, the industry is finding its footing again—driven by evolving monetization strategies and AI-powered personalization. Global Gaming App installs rose by 4% YoY in 2024, with emerging markets leading the charge. LATAM saw a 9% increase in installs, while MENA followed closely with 7%. Hyper-casual games dominated install share at 27%, though they struggled with retention, while strategy games surged with an impressive 83% install growth. AI is also reshaping user acquisition, helping developers fine-tune their ad strategies for better engagement. “After a period of market volatility, mobile gaming is back on a growth trajectory,” says Tiahn Wetzler, director of content and insights at Adjust. With mobile-first adoption booming in LATAM and MENA, […]

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Scopely to acquire Niantic’s Games, including Pokémon GO!

$3.5B deal is official now! Scopely, the U.S.’s top mobile games company, is set to acquire Niantic’s games business, bringing "Pokémon GO," "Pikmin Bloom," and "Monster Hunter Now" into its portfolio. This move strengthens Scopely’s commitment to community-driven play, expanding its reach to over half a billion players in 2024. Massive Growth and Engagement Niantic’s games boast over 30 million MAUs and generated $1 billion+ in revenue in 2024. "Pokémon GO" remains a global juggernaut, ranking in the top 10 mobile games yearly since 2016, with 100M+ unique players in 2024. The combined portfolio will create one of the largest player communities in the world. Last Week: 3.5$ Billion Deal: Pokémon Go maker Niantic to Sell its Games Division Scopely’s Vision for the Future Scopely, known for "MONOPOLY GO!," "Stumble Guys," and "MARVEL Strike Force," aims to enhance the longevity […]

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Applivery Secures Strategic Investment from Supercell

Cloud-based app distribution powerhouse Applivery has landed a strategic investment from Supercell. The funding will accelerate Applivery’s mission to enhance device and software management across Android, Apple & Windows platforms. A Perfect Match “At Applivery, we empower companies with seamless, secure control over their devices and apps,” said CEO César Trigo. “Supercell’s trust in our technology validates our vision and fuels our drive to push innovation even further.” Supercell’s Developer Services Lead, Vadim Liman, echoed the enthusiasm: “The Applivery team has built something remarkable. As we sought a trusted partner in app distribution, Applivery stood out. We’re excited to deepen our partnership and support their growth.” Supercell’s Head of Investments, Jaakko Harlas, added: “This collaboration is off to a fantastic start. Investing in Applivery was the natural next step—we believe in their vision and are eager to support them on […]

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Tilting Point launches new $150M UA fund for Game Devs

Keep control & Scale faster. Mobile Games Publisher Tilting Point is rolling out a massive $150 million User Acquisition fund, designed to supercharge developers without the usual publishing constraints. Unlike traditional deals, developers retain full autonomy over their marketing. Tilting Point steps in only when requested, offering financial backing for growth without meddling in strategy. This is the company’s third major UA fund, following similar initiatives in 2016 and 2018. Early beneficiaries include Mythical Games, Begin, and a soon-to-launch web-based gaming hub. A Proven Growth Engine “With over 200 successful games, we’ve seen firsthand how impactful our UA funds can be,” said Tilting Point CEO Kevin Segalla. “It’s a powerful tool, letting developers scale efficiently while keeping their capital focused elsewhere.” CBO Asi Burak added: “We pioneered this model, and its strength lies in truly flexible, unlimited spending—while ensuring developers […]

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AI Gaming & UGC: Liminal Experiences secured $5.8M

Liminal Experiences, a fresh gaming startup blending AI with user-generated content, secured $5.8 million in funding to revolutionize storytelling in games. The round includes backing from industry giants like Bitkraft Ventures, Riot Games, and OTK Media Group, with Riot Games co-founder Marc Merrill also investing. CEO Brendan Mulligan envisions Liminal as a game where players don’t just play; they create. With AI-powered tools, users can craft immersive RPG adventures, design characters, and build worlds alongside friends. Inspired by childhood imagination, Liminal removes coding barriers, allowing anyone to shape and share interactive stories. “AI in gaming is controversial, with concerns over job replacement and ethical debates,” Mulligan. “Most studios quietly explore AI, leaving the public conversation to outsiders. We believe in AI as a tool to enhance, not replace, human creativity.” Liminal provides a platform for both original stories and beloved […]

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State of Mobile Gaming 2025

Sensor Tower's State of Mobile Gaming breaks down how the market evolved in 2024, who the winners were, and what opportunities lie ahead for 2025. With the Q1 2025 drawing to a close, we can state at least one thing for certain - mobile gaming is back on track. Though downloads plateaued through 2024, IAP revenue, time spent, and sessions are all on the rise. The illustrated and interactive 50+ page report includes:  ✅ A data-driven overview of the most important trends in the industry, including downloads, revenue, and engagement. ✅ A detailed exploration of the winners of 2024 and what drove their success ✅ A deep dive into mobile game marketing, including which ad networks saw the most impression share growth in 2024 and the three creative trends of 2024 you need to know But don’t take our word […]

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