Daily Mobile Gaming News

A cleaner daily brief on mobile game launches, updates, and pre-registration moves worth watching.

News Thu, Jun 18, 2026

Queen Digital Entertainment, Founded by Ex-King Execs, Has Closed

Queen Digital Entertainment, the puzzle game studio established by former King executives Sebastian Knutsson and Stephane Kurgan, has reportedly shut down, as indicated by multiple LinkedIn posts from affected employees. The studio, which aimed to be a successor to Candy Crush's creator, was founded with significant backing, reportedly raising €16.5 million (approximately $18.9 million) in 2024, with additional funding of 340 million SEK (about $35.5 million) reported in September 2025 from American venture capital firm Accel and British firm Index Ventures. During its operation, Queen Digital Entertainment was actively working on several mobile puzzle games that followed the King model, with Appmagic data indicating that four titles were in various stages of beta testing. These titles included Pet Panic, Tail Team, Block Hero, and Wild Joker Poker, with specific release dates ranging from September 2024 to May 2026. Of these, Tail Team and Pet Panic attracted notable player bases, achieving approximately 60,000 and 830,000 installs, respectively, primarily in soft launch markets such as India, Malaysia, and the UK. Currently, Tail Team is the only title still available on iOS. Knutsson co-founded King and dedicated nearly 20 years to the company, departing in 2022 to explore investment ventures. Kurgan served as COO and director for eight years, playing key roles during critical company milestones, including the $7 billion IPO in 2014 and the $5.9 billion acquisition by Activision in 2016. The studio, which had expanded to approximately 25 employees over its three years of operation, now appears to be closed, as reinforced by the LinkedIn updates from its former staff. Attempts to reach Knutsson and Kurgan for comments regarding the closure have been made, and updates will follow if a response is received.

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⚡ QUICK BITE Thu, Jun 18, 2026 • taptap.io

The racing game 巔峰極速, also known as *Speed Racer*, has launched version 0.29.5 for Android and iOS. Developed in collaboration with Codemasters®, this AAA-level game allows players to collect and customize over 100 officially licensed luxury vehicles. Players can race on both urban streets and professional tracks worldwide, enjoying immersive visuals and realistic engine sounds. The game features a variety of racing modes, including real-time races against other players, designed to push the limits of speed. It's important to note that *Speed Racer* is rated as "Counselor Level 12+" due to certain content, including violence and adult themes related to character design. While the game is free to download, it offers in-app purchases for virtual currency and items. Players are encouraged to engage with the game responsibly, considering their personal interests and gaming habits. The game is distributed in Taiwan by Longeplay Co., Ltd. Original source ↗

Update Thu, Jun 18, 2026

Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok Demo Now Available with Major Updates

Cygames has launched a demo for Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok across all platforms in anticipation of the expansion's release on July 9. This demo allows players to engage with an early segment of the main story, undertake quests either solo or online, and experiment with various playable characters. Rewards earned during the demo can be redeemed in the full versions of either Granblue Fantasy: Relink or Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok. The demo features a Quest Mode comprising four missions that support cross-platform matchmaking. Completing the first three quests unlocks a fourth challenge, Sephira’s Sanguine Glimmer, which introduces a new combat mechanic involving Summons. A Tutorial Mode is also included, along with adjustments based on feedback from the original open beta. Notably, enemy stats for the Aquila Ruby Golem have been reduced in Sephira’s Sanguine Glimmer, the main menu character artwork has been refreshed, and Seofon is now a playable character. Improvements have also been made to co-op matchmaking. To start the Endless Ragnarok storyline in the full game, players need to clear the quest titled “The Tale of Bahamut’s Rage.” This unlocks Chaos-difficulty quests and grants access to Summons after obtaining the first one through the expansion's narrative. Cygames has also detailed The Conflux, a new solo-focused gameplay mode, with the first Cycle accessible via a side quest introduced in Chapter 6 of the main story. Additional Cycles can be unlocked by progressing through Hard and Maniac difficulty quests, with deeper Cycles linked to the Endless Ragnarok storyline. Each Cycle provides unique upgrade materials. The expansion will introduce six new playable characters. Beatrix and Eustace can be recruited using Crewmate Cards at the Knicknack Shack, while Gallanza and Maglielle require players to reach specific events during Chapter Ø and progress through Hard-difficulty content. Fraux and Fediel will join through the Endless Ragnarok story. Alongside this expansion, Granblue Fantasy: Relink will receive a significant update that includes quality-of-life improvements, gameplay rebalancing, and new side quests. Further details will be shared during a livestream scheduled for July 8, with complete patch notes released at that time. Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok is set to launch for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam on July 9, 2026, and will support crossplay.

Launch Wed, Jun 17, 2026

Pokémon Champions Now Live on Mobile with Mega Raichu Rewards

Game Freak and The Pokémon Company have officially launched Pokémon Champions on mobile platforms, accessible via iOS and Android. Players can now claim free rewards, including Raichu, Raichunite X, and Raichunite Y stones, available in their in-game mailboxes until Wednesday. These Mega Stones allow players to Mega Evolve Raichu into Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y. The game centers around Pokémon battles, following the franchise's core gameplay elements, and supports multiplayer interactions with players globally. While Game Freak leads the project, The Pokémon Works is in charge of development. Players can connect their Pokémon Home accounts to invite previously caught Pokémon partners or recruit new ones directly within the game. Pokémon Champions offers various battle modes, including ranked competitions against trainers worldwide and private matches with family and friends. It features both single and double battles, alongside a new training method that enhances Pokémon stats and move sets. Additionally, the game is also available on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.

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⚡ QUICK BITE Wed, Jun 17, 2026 • taptap.io

Riot Games has officially opened pre-registration for VALORANT Mobile on both Android and iOS platforms. This new first-person shooter is set to introduce a fresh narrative theme, featuring characters with diverse skills that expand the gameplay experience. Notably, popular leaker PlayerIGN suggests that the release of VALORANT Mobile may happen sooner than anticipated, with an announcement expected during E3 2021, which takes place in mid-June. As the year progresses, more details about the game are likely to be revealed. Original source ↗

News Wed, Jun 17, 2026

Dream Games and Peak Games Dominate Türkiye's Gaming Revenue

Dream Games and Peak Games are responsible for over 80% of Türkiye’s gaming revenue, according to AppMagic’s report on the country’s mobile gaming landscape. Despite a stagnating global market, Türkiye's games sector is growing at a rate of 6% year-over-year. The report highlights that Turkish developers are active across nearly all major game categories, yet a staggering 97% of mobile revenue is generated from the puzzle genre, with strategy games trailing at just under 1%. Dream Games alone accounts for 60% of Türkiye’s mobile game revenue through only two titles. The report, which draws on data from 2020 to 2026, shows a significant increase in Türkiye’s global market share, rising from 1% to 5% and annual revenue skyrocketing from $504 million to nearly $2.8 billion—a 450% surge with an average year-over-year growth rate of 42%. This growth has occurred despite a 4% decline in downloads, which fell to 1.8 billion. Rollic Games emerged as a key player for installs, but the report indicates that the gap between decreasing downloads and increasing revenue signals a shift among Turkish studios from volume-based growth to a focus on monetization efficiency. The number of development studios in Türkiye has more than tripled since 2020, yet downloads continue to decline. The report emphasizes that, while global mobile gaming revenues have remained flat in recent years, Türkiye's gaming market is on a distinct upward trajectory, marking it as one of the fastest-growing revenue generators in the world. Additionally, the full report details mergers and acquisitions, funding rounds, and buyouts within the industry. PocketGamer.biz also interviewed Rollic’s vice president of gaming, Utku Erdinç, regarding their successful title, Color Block Jam, which has surpassed $100 million in bookings.

News Wed, Jun 17, 2026

Almedia’s Freecash Returns to Apple App Store After Removal

Almedia’s Freecash has been reinstated on the Apple App Store, marking its return to both major mobile platforms. The app also made its way back to Google Play on May 7, 2026. Almedia reports that Freecash has distributed over $300 million in rewards since its launch. Previously, the app faced removal from both stores due to concerns regarding the company’s data collection practices, as highlighted in media reports. Almedia claims Freecash has amassed over 80 million users globally and reached the number two spot in the US App Store charts earlier this year, gaining 19 million users prior to its removal. Moritz Holländer, the founder and CEO of Almedia, expressed relief over the app's return, acknowledging the frustrations faced by users and partners during the downtime. He emphasized the company's commitment to the future of mobile advertising, reiterating that Freecash does not sell user data and complies fully with GDPR regulations.

News Wed, Jun 17, 2026

Wooga's IP Strategy Boosts June's Journey with Wicked and Agatha Christie

Wooga's successful mobile game, June's Journey, has leveraged intellectual property deals with Wicked and Agatha Christie to unlock new growth opportunities. According to Martin Rusev, Wooga's publishing director, the key to this success lies in integrating the license throughout the entire player experience rather than merely reskinning graphics. The early indicators of this strategy are promising, with a 33% reduction in video cost-per-install (CPI), a nearly 20% drop in static CPI, and the game's best visibility in app stores in the last two years. Since its launch nearly a decade ago, June's Journey has thrived on its own unique content, a hidden-object mystery set in the 1920s, amassing over $1 billion in lifetime revenue. Rusev shared insights during his keynote at Pocket Gamer Connects Barcelona, highlighting the recent pivot towards IP integrations as a strategy to attract and retain players. Rusev outlined four primary objectives for these integrations: to provide fresh content for existing players, attract new players, re-engage lapsed players, and expand the hidden-object game genre. The newly introduced limited-time items, which remain available to players once unlocked, aim to enhance the gameplay experience over time. Additionally, marketing campaigns featuring these recognizable properties aim to draw in new users while offering fresh, branded content for user acquisition. The selection of IPs involved careful consideration and research, as Rusev emphasized that the challenge lies in identifying the right fit rather than merely securing a popular license. Wicked was chosen to appeal to a younger, female demographic around the release of its second film, while Agatha Christie naturally aligned with the game's murder mystery theme, allowing Wooga to reinterpret classic stories through a new lens. Interestingly, player feedback influenced this selection process, with suggestions for Sherlock Holmes being met with a desire not to overshadow June's Journey. Wooga's approach involved comprehensive branding across the player journey, integrating the IP into various aspects of the game, from user acquisition advertisements to loading screens. A particular challenge arose in modifying the tutorial to incorporate these changes, which led to the development of a 'foreshadowing' mechanic to encourage new players to engage more deeply with the content. Rusev noted that both campaigns resulted in the production of over 500 videos and 600 static assets, all approved by the licensors. The metrics from the Wicked campaign showed significant improvements in in-game sales and participation in events, leading to an overall enhancement in top-of-the-funnel metrics, such as increased revenue per mille (RPM) and click-through rates (CTR). For Agatha Christie, the campaign similarly achieved a 20% reduction in static asset CPI and a 33% decrease in video CPI. For other studios considering similar strategies, Rusev offered several takeaways: prioritize research over license selection, ensure everyday branding of ads, maintain a consistent promise across all marketing touchpoints, and favor direct deals with licensors to foster stronger relationships. He cautioned that licensors are protective of their IPs and require ample time to navigate their approval processes.

News Wed, Jun 17, 2026

Next Generation Leaders Reshape UK Gaming Industry

The UK gaming sector is witnessing a surge of emerging talent as over 100 future industry leaders were nominated by their peers, highlighting a vibrant new generation of innovators. According to Nick Poole, chief executive of Ukie, the UK remains a prime location for game development thanks to its rich pool of technical, creative, and leadership talent. Approximately nine months ago, Poole sought input on who would shape the future of video games, resulting in a remarkable list of nominees, showcasing a diverse array of contributors to the industry. Notable figures include MJ Lewis, a Producer at Kepler Interactive, recognized for involvement in some of the year’s most anticipated releases, and Abi Le Guilcher, a savvy influencer marketing expert at Future Friends Games. Harvey Hayman, the founder of Studio Morgan, consistently appeared on the lists for his efforts in fostering collaborative networks through initiatives like the Good Game Dev Club and IGDA London. Moo Yu, the Creative Director at Team Artichoke, gained recognition for his acclaimed work on the indie title Mythmatch, which challenges conventional gaming narratives. Other mentions include Sally Blake, CEO of Silent Games in Newcastle, who utilizes her production expertise to assist studios across the UK, and Jade Fern-Gadd, dev team lead at Medieval Snail Games, noted for her supportive role within the developer community. The nominations reflect a strong sense of camaraderie among this new generation, who are collectively navigating challenges such as job losses and insufficient training investment. Despite these hurdles, the recent Creative Skills Audit indicates that 62% of games industry employers anticipate expanding their workforce in the next three to five years, underscoring the potential for growth within the sector. However, the landscape is complicated by reports indicating that nearly one million young people in the UK are currently not in education, employment, or training (NEET). This situation highlights the pressing need for nurturing new talent and ensuring that their potential is not overlooked. Programs like DunDev, Transfuzer, Limit Break, Ukie's Video Games Growth Programme, and the Techscaler Hub in Dundee have been recognized for their roles in closing the skills gap. Additionally, regional networks such as Games Republic, Liverpool's Game Changers, and the Manchester Games Network provide essential platforms for collaboration and development. The UK's gaming talent pool, cultivated over four decades, must not only rely on past achievements but actively invest in fresh ideas and future leaders. It is imperative to create a financial environment that empowers studios to invest in their teams and foster the next generation of game developers.

News Wed, Jun 17, 2026

Orna Survives Eight Years as a Unique Indie RPG in a Crowded Market

Orna, an indie RPG inspired by Pokémon Go, has persevered for eight years amidst a landscape where many similar location-based games have fallen by the wayside. Launched in 2016, Orna has achieved 4.5 million downloads and remains a strong contender in a genre dominated by major franchises. Developed initially by a single coder, it has outlasted titles like Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, Minecraft Earth, The Witcher: Monster Slayer, and The Walking Dead: Our World. Northern Forge, the studio behind Orna, now operates with a team of just nine staff members. Notably, the game has maintained a player-friendly model without incorporating pay-to-win mechanics, paywalls, or gacha systems over its eight-year lifespan, a decision that founder Nate Beacham attributes to the studio's commitment to building a solid community rather than prioritizing monetization strategies. Beacham shared, "Our survival comes down to the fact that we chose to build a strong community instead of an economy first, as counterintuitive as that might sound." He emphasized that aggressive monetization may yield short-term financial gains, but it can erode player trust. Instead, Northern Forge has focused on offering optional paid content that aligns with player desires, creating a more sustainable model. The game’s success is partly due to its active community, facilitated by platforms like Discord. Interestingly, most of Northern Forge's current staff members are recruited from its player base, providing them with valuable insights and a shared passion for the game. Beacham noted, "When we hire directly from our player base, we are bringing in people who already have hundreds of hours of deep domain knowledge and an innate love for the community." Orna also boasts a unique aspect of gamified fitness, encouraging players to walk, which has reportedly helped many improve their physical health and manage social anxiety. Beacham remarked, "If you give people a compelling, cooperative reason to step outside, they’ll walk billions of collective miles without even feeling like they’re exercising." The studio is currently working on a new content update for the 2026 Green Game Jam and has localized the game into 18 languages with the help of its community. Despite the industry's trend towards AI development, Northern Forge remains committed to human-made content, with Beacham stating, "If it’s in contrast to the way a lot of the industry is heading, that’s okay with us. We believe it’s a huge USP and our community is all about it."