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The games industry moves quickly, with stories coming and going, but some are worth delving deeper into. To address these topics, we have created a weekly digest where the PocketGamer.biz team shares their insights on the most interesting events in mobile gaming over the past week.
Craig Chapple
Head of Content
Unreal Engine royalty fee reducing to 3.5% for games landing on Epic Games Store on launch day
Epic’s recent changes to Unreal Engine pricing prompted reflections on the competition among game engine makers and their efforts to build sustainable business models. Unity aimed to democratize development, leading others to adjust their subscription fees and revenue models. Ultimately, Unity opted for a Runtime Fee, which was later replaced due to backlash. In contrast, Unreal Engine is lowering fees tied to games released on its store, leveraging its marketplaces for revenue growth. The pricing wars in the game engine space continue to evolve.
Balatro approaches $1 million in seven days on mobile
Roguelike card game Balatro has achieved nearly $1 million in revenue within its first week on mobile, a remarkable milestone for the premium-priced game. The decision to avoid in-app purchases seems to have paid off, with the game also available to Apple Arcade subscribers. As Balatro gains traction with cross-platform progression in the works, its success in the mobile market seems promising.
Zenless Zone Zero surpasses $150 million, but it’s no Genshin Impact…
Zenless Zone Zero has exceeded $150 million in mobile revenue in under three months, showcasing success but falling short of the rapid growth seen by other titles. Despite this, the game’s performance is commendable, and maintaining player engagement remains crucial amidst evolving market trends.
