Valko Controversy, Pikmin Bloom's Revenue Surge, Umamusume Hits $100M
Infold Games has decided to cancel the introduction of a new werewolf love interest named Valko in Love and Deepspace after facing significant backlash from fans. Valko was set to be added as the sixth male protagonist in the game's version 6.0 update, scheduled for July 9.
In other news, Pikmin Bloom has seen a remarkable increase in revenue, achieving 94% of its total earnings from 2025 within just the first half of 2026. This surge is largely attributed to a staggering 902% increase in spending from Taiwanese players, now the highest-spending market for the game, surpassing Japan.
SocialPeta's CMO and head of overseas business, Summer Liu, has pointed out the potential for Western markets to learn from China’s WeChat mini-games. Liu emphasized that the WeChat model features a unique "three-in-one loop" that offers structural advantages that many Western platforms lack, suggesting a path for global franchise development.
Cygames' Umamusume: Pretty Derby has crossed the $100 million milestone in gross player spending internationally within a year, according to estimates from AppMagic. Despite this success, international revenue only accounts for 5% of the game's total earnings, with Japan remaining the dominant market. The United States ranks second, contributing 70% of the international revenue.
Why it matters
Lastly, Alex Pelletier-Normand, the CEO of Rovio Entertainment, has been appointed as the chief operating officer of SEGA Europe's West Studios. He will continue to lead Rovio while bringing his expertise in mobile and live service to Sega, aiming to enhance sales across its game portfolio.
Original source
PocketGamer.biz
