Among Us Dev Gives Content Road Map

In its latest blog post, Among Us developer InnerSloth first addressed hacking in the game, saying: "Firstly, we want to be sure to talk about the cheating and hacking going on. It was pretty bad there for a bit, so Forte pushed out server changes really fast. They seemed to help a lot, but some cheats still work and now there are bugs too. There will be more server updates to fix all of this, but rushing anti-hacks is what caused the bugs, so cleaning things up is a slower process. Also rest assured that any threats made in the game are false and your devices and data are safe. If you see a hacker, ban them or find a different room."

An anonymous voting option as been added that makes all players greyed out during Emergency Meetings. adding a new layer of intrigue to this deceptive game. 

Task Bar modes have also been added: 

• Always
• Appears like normal
• Meeting 
• The bar is only updated during meetings
• Invisible 
• The taskbar is removed entirely

Also added is the ability to clear security logs with Comms sabotage, symbols on the colored wires for those tasks to be more colorblind-friendly, and a slew of bug fixes. The team also teased some larger scale goals: 

• Accounts: We’re hoping to get accounts into the game by December. This will allow players to report accounts that are toxic and/or hacking. They may be a bit barebones at first but things like friends lists will also come at a later date after launch.
• New Map: We’re hard at work on a new map (It’s Henry Stickmin themed!). This map is currently looking bigger than Polus! The map will contain plenty of new tasks and will be available for free to all players!
• Translations/Localization: The game is currently only translated into a few languages (and some of those translations are a bit rough). We’re planning on getting professional translations into multiple languages (More than we currently have, not ready to share quite which languages yet). To all the people offering to translate, thanks for reaching out, but we’ve got it under control!
• Colorblind support: This patch contains the first pass on colorblind support. We’ll continue monitoring it to see how it performs.

Pokemon GO Has Made Over 1 Billion Dollars In 2020, Its Best Year Since 2016

 According to data analytics firm Sensor Tower, Pokemon GO is still resonating with Pokemon fans in 2020. The company
estimates that player spending over the past 10 months in the augmented reality game is over one billion dollars and lifetime revenue is over four billion dollars. This would mean that Pokemon GO is on track to record its best year ever. Here are the top three countries in 2020 for player spending in the app:

1. USA: $1.5 billion — 36.3% of total spending.
2. Japan: $1.3 billion 31.3% of the total,
3. Germany: $238.6 million or 5.7%.

Pokemon GO is currently the third biggest mobile game worldwide after PUBG and Honor of Kings by Tencent. Total revenue by platform is the following:

1. Google Play: 2.2 billion or 53.4% of total revenues
2. App Store: $1.9 billion or 46.6%

Genshin Impact Update 1.1 Releases On November 11

Genshin Impact is getting its first substantial update on
November 11. The 1.1 update features new characters, a seasonal event, the final chapter of the Liyue questline in the main story, a new reputation system, and PlayStation 5 compatibility. Not to mention TONS of new four and five star characters.  

Gears POP! Servers Shutting Down In Early 2021

The studio behind the Gears POP!, Mediatonic, has announced that servers will be shutting down in early 2021. 

The studio took to the Gears POP! blog to share the latest update. "Thank you Gears," begins the farewell. "Together we have taken on countless waves of Horde and vanquished foes on the Versus battlefield but sadly Gears Pop! is closing on April 26, 2021. Until that time, we’re bringing back some of our most popular events, increasing Bounty rewards, and upping the drop rates for Legendary Pins. Effective immediately, in-app purchasing has also been disabled. Thank you for your understanding and support." 

Refunds will be automatically issued for anything purchased within 90 days of October 28, 2020. Anything bought between July 30 - October 28 is eligible, according to the site, though refunds themselves might take a few weeks to process. 

Crash Bandicoot Is Coming To Mobile In Crash Bandicoot: On the Run

UPDATE 10/29/20 - Crash Bandicoot: On The Run pre-orders are now live on the App Store. With that, the release date of March 25th, 2021 has been revealed. 

Original article 7/13/20 - Crash Bandicoot is coming to mobile with Crash Bandicoot: On the Run from developer King. While delivering a familiar viewpoint of Crash running into the screen, the gameplay appears to be an endless runner like Temple Run.

Locations like the Lost City and Turtle Woods will be revisited in new, fast-paced levels. King says "classic bosses" are also a part of the mix. King has so far announced Scorporilla, Nitrus Brio, Dingodile, and Nina Cortex are adversaries you'll square off against. Along with the expected running and jumping, players can craft weapons (like bombs and guns), customize characters (such as turning Crash blue, which looks odd), and play with friends in asynchronous multiplayer runs.

No release date has been given yet, but you can pre-register now at Crash Bandcioot: On the Run's official website, doing so will get you a blue hyena skin when the game launches.

Call of Duty Mobile’s Zombie Mode Is Gone For Good On March 25th

Call of Duty: Mobile zombies mode fans be warned.On March 25th, when the game's next update lands, the developer of the title plans to remove the feature.

"We had always mentioned it was limited but with no explicit end-date. We wanted to see the reception, see the feedback, and see how we can potentially shape the mode for the future," developer Timi Studios wrote in a recent community update. "However, the mode just didn't reach the level of quality that we desire."

Additionally, the studio won't release Nacht Der Untoten, the second zombies mode map. However, both may one day make their way back into the game. "We may bring the mode back, with Nacht Der Untoten, once we can make sure it is high enough quality," said Timi.

Pokemon Masters Coming To iOS And Android Later This Year

The Pokemon Company has announced Pokemon Masters. Pokemon Masters is “a new game that allows you to battle alongside your favorite Pokémon Trainers from the main series RPG”. Trainers from past Pokemon main series titles will appear in this spin-off mobile game. Pokemon Masters is said to be released for iOS and Android during clanger year 2019. 

Announcement 4⃣

Dreaming of becoming a Pokémon master? This is your time!

Get ready for Pokémon Masters, a new game that allows you to battle alongside your favorite Pokémon Trainers from the main series RPGs. #PokemonMasters pic.twitter.com/RNFxswsDFp

— Pokémon (@Pokemon) May 29, 2019

Nintendo’s Mobile Partner Complains The Company Doesn’t Want To Take Too Much Revenue From Customers

In a report from The Wall Street Journal, Nintendo mobile partner has complained that the company doesn’t want to make consumers waste too much money on their range of mobile games. The partnering firm wants to earn more cash from Nintendo’s popular mobile games, but Nintendo won’t allow it to happen.

"Since 2015, Nintendo has had revenue-sharing agreements for smartphone games that it creates with partners like DeNA Co….

…In some cases, players can spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars trying to win special items. Fearing such behavior will damage Nintendo’s brand image, the company has asked its partners to adjust the games so that users won’t spend too much, according to people familiar with Nintendo’s strategy.CyberAgent officials say Nintendo asked the game maker to adjust the game to avoid excessive spending by users.

“Nintendo is not interested in making a large amount of revenue from a single smartphone game,” one CyberAgent official said. “If we managed the game alone, we would have made a lot more."

Dr. Mario World Mobile Game Coming In Early Summer 2019

Nintendo has announced a brand new mobile game, Dr. Mario World. The company is targeting an early summer 2019 global release. Their announcement tweet is down below. Stay tuned for more info.

The doctor is in! Mario puts on the white coat once again in the mobile game Dr. Mario World, targeting an early summer 2019 global release. #DrMario https://t.co/DTRBympHj0 pic.twitter.com/RfMZbbs3Mp

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) January 31, 2019

Mario Kart Tour Delayed, Now Coming In Summer 2019

Nintendo has revealed that Mario Kart Tour, the mobile Mario Kart game, has been delayed. Mario Kart Tour was initially meant to be released this April, but Nintendo has stated that it is now scheduled for the summer. The reason for the delay is simply that the company wants to provide Mario Kart fans with the best experience.

Tales of Crestoria Coming To Mobile In 2019

The next game in the Tales series heading to mobile as Tales of Crestoria is getting a Western release in 2019.

An official Tales of Crestoria English account recently popped up on Twitter, and has been posting character-based teasers for the last few hours. It also posted the first English teaser trailer for the game.

We don't know too much about Crestoria as of right now. All we really know is that as a mobile title, there is likely to be microtransactions, as players who pre-register for the game will receive "summoning tickets" based on the number of total people who do the same.

Get ready for the English version of TALES OF CRESTORIA!
In this new installment of the Tales of series, you'll experience a completely original world and story brought to life by brand new characters. #TalesOfCrestoria pic.twitter.com/jq2OtC5Ocf

— TALES OF CRESTORIA (@to_crestoria_EN) December 8, 2018

Nintendo Gives Details For Dragalia Lost On Mobile Devices

For the first time ever, Nintendo is introducing a new IP directly on smart devices! With the Dragalia Lost game, players can enjoy a fast-paced action role-playing game set in a fantasy world of warriors, magic and dragons that’s specifically designed to play on smartphones, but with the depth typically reserved for dedicated video game systems. With intuitive touch-screen controls, colorful fantasy graphics that pop off the screen and the option to join up online with up to three other players in co-op story quests, events and Raid Battles, the game can easily be enjoyed in short bursts or longer play sessions.

Nintendo debuted a video detailing many of the features coming to Dragalia Lost. To view the video presentation in its entirety, visit https://www.nintendo.com/nintendo-direct/08-29-2018/.

“Our mobile strategy is expanding with the launch of Dragalia Lost, the first original IP from Nintendo to launch on mobile devices,” said Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Fans are looking for a variety of experiences on mobile devices, and this vibrant action role-playing game perfectly complements our other mobile games, while also offering something completely new.”

In Dragalia Lost, players build a customized party of adventurers and set off on a grand journey – one that will take them to a variety of locales to save the Kingdom of Alberia from mysterious evil forces that are corrupting the realm. While exploring the world, players control their party of adventurers in battle, even transforming into mighty dragons to unleash devastating attacks. Along the way, players can discover more than 60 companions for their party that offer a variety of different weapon classes, combat abilities and elemental properties.

Battles are performed in real time to keep players in the action, dragging their fingers on the screen to move their characters, tapping or holding to engage with various attacks and flicking along the screen to dodge. It’s all very intuitive and easy to pick up for any type of player. And by using the in-game currency Diamantium or Wyrmite, players can summon new characters, dragons or special accessories called Wyrmprints that can be equipped for powerful abilities or bonuses. Wyrmite is earned in the game as a reward for completing quests, while Diamantium can be purchased using real-world money.

Dragalia Lost is all about letting players play how they want. Party members can be customized in all sorts of ways, whether it’s through new equipment or leveling up and earning new or upgraded abilities. Dragalia Lost even offers synchronous online multiplayer with up to three other people who have the game, so friends can share the experience throughout the game’s main story adventure, additional quests and event raids.

For more information about Dragalia Lost, including how to pre-register, visit https://dragalialost.com/en/.

Nintendo’s Dragalia Lost Launches in September And Nintendo Direct For Game Coming Tonight

Dragalia Lost, Nintendo’s first original IP mobile game is coming soon to U.S., Japan, Hong Kong and Macau. Service begins in these territories on September 27.

Tune in for a special livestreamed Dragalia Lost Direct on Wednesday, August 29, at 8:30 p.m. PT / 11:30 p.m. ET. View the video presentation and catch all of the latest information at https://nintendo.com/nintendo-direct.

Candy Crush Saga Developers Hiring For Call Of Duty Mobile Game

Candy Crush Saga developers, King, has posted a recruitment page looking for a level designer for a mobile Call of Duty. The listing specifically says the developer has been tasked with adapting Call of Duty.  "The aim is to create a Call of Duty experience on mobile," the listing reads, "while also breaking new ground for mobile and redefining the genre. The approach and ambition is to be fresh, social, and highly accessible, while providing a very authentic game experience." King Games became a subsidiary of Activision-Blizzard in 2015, an acquisition that involved very little mixing of Activision and King developers. This could be Activision trying to expand the Call of Duty license out to new internal developers beyond the rotation of developers in the flagship games. Thoughts ?

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds Coming To Mobile In China

Riot (makers of League of Legends) has announced it was working with PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds developer Bluehole to bring the popular multiplayer game to China. Now we learned the collaboration also involves bringing the game to mobile platforms. Tencent is rumored to be exploring the option to buyout the whole company, posted an official announcement (which Gamesindustry.biz translated) stating its intention to bring PUBG to phones and tablets, which are enormously popular in China. Thoughts ?

WSJ Claiming New Pokemon TCG App Is Coming Soon

Following their recent Legend of Zelda rumor, the Wall Street Journal has claimed that The Pokemon Company is working on a new Pokemon TCG app. . If this is true, the company might be hoping to recreate the popularity of Pokemon GO. Would you play a new TCG app? I know I would as the TCG app that’s out now is out for tablets and not for mobile phones. Thoughts ?

Nintendo Is Rumored To Be Developing A Zelda Mobile Game

According to The Wall Street Journal, Nintendo is working on The Legend of Zelda for smartphones and tablets. Link’s adventure will follow Animal Crossing which launches later this year. The Zelda title will arrive in 2018 and it’s not clear whether Nintendo will take the paid route like Super Mario Run or alternatively make the game free-to-play with micro transactions like Fire Emblem Heroes. Thoughts ?

Nintendo Open To Work With Other Mobile Devs

According to Nintendo president Tatsumi, the company would be willing to work with other mobile developers, like DeNA, in the future. Nintendo has a 10% stake in DeNA whilst DeNA purchased 1.24% of Nintendo back in 2015. Kimishima also outlined that we can expect 2-3 mobile games a year going forward.

Nintendo Delays Animal Crossing Mobile

Nintendo has announced that the Animal Crossing mobile game has been delayed. This title was set to release early in the year and is now set for the next fiscal year, which runs from April to March 2018. Nintendo has said it is doing so "to accommodate the releases and operation" of Fire Emblem Heroes on mobile and Super Mario Run on Android. As much as this sucks, it makes sense. Nintendo has a lot on there mobile plate, won’t want to over saturate things straight out of he gate. Thoughts ?

Sony Launching Mobile Games In Japan Based On Classic Playstation Franchises

Sony has announced it will begin releasing mobile games in Japan starting in April 2017. Sony owned company, Forward Works has announced mobile versions of Hot Shots Golf, Wild Arms, PaRappa the Rapper, and more for  iOS and Android devices. According to a Japanese PlayStation Blog post, Everybody's Golf will release in Spring 2017, while a second entry in the No Heroes Allowed!/What Did I Do to Deserve This, My Lord franchise is aiming for a Summer 2017 release. Also announced were mobile reboot projects of original PlayStation titles Arc the Lad and Wild Arms, Doko Demo Issho, PaRappa the Rapper and Boku no Natsuyasumi series also will be developed for smartphones.