Latest news with #mobilegames
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"My savings had run out": In a few months, a Sonic 3 animator made an N64-style game based on an iconic Animal Crossing mechanic and chucked it onto Steam because "I needed to pay rent," and it worked
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A few months ago, a cute little game called Merchant 64 was released on Steam to modest acclaim and success. Its developer, Brent Lattery, who goes by SuitNtie online, bashed it together in just "three to four months," he tells GamesRadar+, and it was released in large part because he "needed to pay rent." Lattery has a background in visual effects and animations – a skill set that previously landed him a role on the end credits animation for the Sonic 3 movie – and had worked on mobile games before. He'd also made his own Game Boy game, though it didn't end up selling very much. With Merchant 64, he says he wanted to tap into the nostalgic feel of inspirations like Harvest Moon, as well as a very specific corner of gaming: cozy gamers. It's not that cozy gamers will play anything, but Lattery reckons "cozy games have a very forgiving and wonderful fan base. Your cozy game doesn't have to be super good as long as it looks nice and the vibes are there." "I keep joking with my brother that I'm like, I can make the game look good, but I haven't been able to make it truly fun yet," he says. "So that's my ultimate goal, to make a fun game and then make it look good after that." Lattery says he's still learning some game design fundamentals as well as finer details like UI, and is the first to say "people offer a lot of grace" to Merchant 64. "I, personally, the person who made it, would review it pretty low in terms of fun and gameplay. It's really cute, it's quaint, it invokes good energy and stuff, but there's not too much going on there. It's very simple." "Merchant 64 is basically the turnip trading mechanic from Animal Crossing, and that's, like, the whole game," he adds, championing the type of short and condensed games he wants to make. "And that's totally fine." Merchant 64 is $6.99 at full price, with Lattery trying to balance a reasonable base price with the knowledge that "people pretty much only buy Steam games while they're on sale." (If it "was $30, like, get out of here, don't do that" he jokes.) It's a few hours long, it nails the Nintendo 64 aesthetic, and its 'make number go up' hook is enough to fill out the experience. It isn't one of the best simulator games ever made, but it doesn't have to be. Part of development here was balancing personal tastes with what sells, particularly what sells on Steam. Lattery's process, and recommendation, is straightforward: "Maybe you want to look at what sells, but then look at, what would you do in that area?" The art style of Merchant 64 gave it a cozy Harvest Moon vibe, he says, even when he wasn't strictly looking to make a cozy game, and he says he enjoyed the development process. "Don't just do it cynically," he says. "Oh, you know, Steam Charts says these games sell well, like a deck building game, or visual novels still do pretty well for their tiny little review counts. It's like, how would you do a visual novel? What would you put in there and then try to have fun with?" Lattery released Merchant 64 when he did, he says, because "I needed to pay rent, like my savings had run out. And I'm like, yeah, hopefully this makes me money, so I have to release it now." It worked. Mostly. At first, Merchant 64 got off to a slower start than Lattery might have hoped with around $2,000 in sales in the first few days, but he showed in a video that it grossed over $4,000 within a week. Lattery says it's continued ticking along during sale or bundle opportunities, earning more than expected in the long run. "But it slowly kept rolling in, and it made it past the mark that I wanted it to, just a little bit more over time. So in that sense, I was very pleased. In hindsight now, I'm looking and I'm like, that's great. I'm very happy with it." The dream of many game devs is to make enough money from each game to fund the next game, and Lattery says he's working toward the dream of having a few small games cruising the Steam superhighway to fund sustainable full-time development. For the time being, he's back to a full-time dev job elsewhere, but he's still got ideas for his own projects. His story provides a fascinating look under the hood of Steam and shows one of the many ways that game development plays out. "I think a lot of people have aspirations to make a big Stardew Valley or something," he says. "But that's definitely not it. If I was getting the exact same amount of attention that I am now, where it's like, just little stuff and cool people like yourself will maybe reach out, that's totally fine if the games are still generating money for me to keep doing them. I don't really want to grow into a studio. Some people want to make an indie studio, hire a couple of people, something like that. I wouldn't really want that. I have a couple of dream projects. "I know I made a little cozy game, but I love action games. I grew up on God of War for PS2, Kingdom Hearts, and I recently played through the Devil May Cry games. So I would like something like that, for sure. That's kind of that background, something I can work towards." "Anything related to Silksong releasing would be the doom of the project," lead on gorgeous Hollow Knight fan game once worried, but after 2 years of work it looks like it will launch this year.
The Verge
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Verge
Mobile subscriptions are shedding unique indie games in search of a bigger audience
is a reporter who covers the business, culture, and communities of video games, with a focus on marginalized gamers and the quirky, horny culture of video game communities. For the last few years, subscription gaming services like Apple Arcade and Netflix have offered mobile game developers something of a haven for high-quality, premium mobile games: a type of game that had become vanishingly rare following the rise of the microtransaction-stuffed free-to-play model. But as these services' once enviable lineup of indie games dwindles, that haven appears to be shrinking. In 2021, Netflix announced a new gaming initiative, offering users a chance to play games through the streaming service's mobile app. Apple launched a similar program with Apple Arcade just two years before that. Both services offered an interesting value proposition: Pay a monthly subscription fee to get access to a library of premium games, with some of those games available as mobile exclusives. Those games would have no ads or in-app purchases, and the money paid to studios would ostensibly be used to fund the development of more games. Desta: The Memories Between was one of the first original indie games available as a mobile exclusive on Netflix. Image: Ustwo / Netflix In addition to serving as a publisher, Netflix took the additional step of outright purchasing game studios like Oxenfree developer Night School Studio and Cozy Grove studio Spry Fox to make bespoke games for the service. But late last year, Netflix closed down the studio it spun up to produce what was going to be the service's first blockbuster AAA game. Then, just this month, it announced it was going to delist some of its most notable third-party titles, including indie darlings like Hades and the Monument Valley series. Netflix is increasingly focused on games tied to its own content. In its most recent quarterly earnings report, the platform briefly extolled its continued investment in titles like Squid Game: Unleashed and Thronglets — games tied to Netflix-produced Squid Game and Black Mirror, respectively. This focus, though, seems to come at the expense of adding existing original games from independent developers. It's easy to understand this shift. While these services don't share much about hard numbers, third-party reporting suggested that the majority of Netflix users never engaged with the platform's gaming offerings. And the games they were playing, in however limited amounts, were familiar titles. It's no surprise that GTA had Netflix's biggest game launch. The GTA series are some of the most-played games on Netflix. At GDC 2025, Netflix's president of games, Alain Tascan, spoke to The Verge about the platform refocusing its gaming efforts, saying of indie games, 'We will continue supporting some of them, but I feel that indie gamers are not really coming to Netflix to find indie games.' So far Apple has only purchased a single game studio to make content for Apple Arcade, though its retreat to more casual offerings follows a similar pattern as Netflix. Original or indie games appear less frequently in favor of those attached to big, family-friendly IP like Uno, Angry Birds, and Bluey, all three of which are featured in Apple Arcade's July update. Payouts from Apple Arcade have reportedly been shrinking while developers have complained that it's hard to get their games noticed on the platform. The free-to-play model has conditioned users that spending money for gaming content can be optional. Casual games like Monopoly Go make money through in-game advertisements or opt-in consumer spending on microtransactions, and few traditional paid games outside of Minecraft are now able to break through that mindset. Subscription services were viewed as a kind of equalizer. With investment from Apple and Netflix and elsewhere, quality games could be brought to a platform not generally associated with quality gaming experiences. Developers could fund their vision and not have to worry about monetization, while consumers could access those games with a monthly subscription and no added costs. But a few years in, the aim of these services has been adjusted, and casual games designed to keep eyeballs on an app for as long as possible, or promote the latest streaming series, have won out. Despite strong lineups of indie games, neither Netflix nor Apple could really cut through the noise, and their offerings are no longer unique. Worse still, the unique games they did have now have fewer places to go.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wedbush Maintains a Buy on Playtika Holding (PLTK), Sets a Price Target of $11.50
Playtika Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:PLTK) is one of the . In a report released on July 1, Alicia Reese from Wedbush maintained a Buy rating on Playtika Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:PLTK) with a price target of $11.50. A close-up of a hand holding a mobile device with a gaming app open on the screen. Playtika Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:PLTK) reported an 8.6% sequential and 8.4% year-over-year growth in revenue in fiscal Q1 2025, reaching $706.0 million. DTC platforms reported $179.2 million in revenue, reflecting a 2.6% sequential growth and a 4.5% year-over-year rise. While GAAP net income for the quarter decreased 42.3% year-over-year to $30.6 million, Playtika Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:PLTK) reported $36.2 million in adjusted net income, increasing 34.1% sequentially and decreasing 39.6% year-over-year. Playtika Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:PLTK) is a developer of mobile games that owns and manages around 15 games. Its Playtika Boost Platform offers a proprietary technology that supports a portfolio of games and live game operations services. The company's offerings include casual games, casino-themed games, and free-to-play mobile games. Its game portfolio includes Slotomania, Bingo Blitz, House of Fun, Caesars Slots, World Series of Poker, Best Fiends, June's Journey, Solitaire Grand Harvest, and Board Kings. These games are available on Google Play Store and iOS App Store. While we acknowledge the potential of PLTK as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
News24
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Hit game PUBG MOBILE brings Africa local servers and cultural flair
PUBG MOBILE, one of the world's most popular mobile games, is deepening its commitment to African players with a groundbreaking set of upgrades, cultural integrations, and continent-wide community initiatives. With the rallying call 'For Africa, By Africa,' this latest expansion delivers not just better gameplay—but a stronger sense of identity and pride for African gamers. Over the past year, PUBG MOBILE has actively listened to its passionate African fanbase, addressing concerns ranging from latency issues to the desire for cultural representation in-game. Today, the brand is proud to unveil a robust suite of enhancements made with and for African players. 1. Local servers now live: Smoother gameplay, faster matches For the first time ever, PUBG MOBILE has launched dedicated local servers in Nigeria and South Africa, drastically improving latency, connection stability, and overall gameplay quality for millions of African users. 'We understand that stable, smooth gameplay is critical for competitive players and always prioritize the needs of our African community. Brian Gu, head of PUBG Mobile Africa, said 'To continuously optimize your experience, we've introduced a Server Node Selection feature based on diverse African player needs. Through a dedicated matchmaking interface, you can choose whether you want to compete within Africa or challenge global players rapidly, with a one-tap solution that delivers a faster, more stable connection – because you deserve millisecond-precise responsiveness' This milestone makes PUBG MOBILE one of the first global games to invest in African server infrastructure, reinforcing its commitment to long-term regional growth. 'Looking ahead, we're focused on enabling seamless cross-border matchmaking between players in our vast African community'. 2. Maasai Shuka(clothing): Culture worn with pride In celebration of African heritage, PUBG MOBILE introduces a stunning new Maasai-themed outfit in-game. Inspired by the bold colors, patterns, and traditions of one of Africa's most iconic tribes, this feature brings cultural expression directly into the battlefield—where pride meets play. Supplied 3. Afro Frenzy Emote: From TikTok to the game Fans of African pop culture will now see the viral 'Mapangale' dance brought to life as an official PUBG MOBILE emote. This joyful, high-energy dance went viral across TikTok and social media—and now adds flair, rhythm, and local flavor to your in-game celebrations. 4. Mancala: Honoring African heritage Soon, players can enjoy a digital version of Mancala, the centuries-old African board game known across the continent by various names. A celebration of strategic thinking and traditional play, the addition of Mancala to PUBG MOBILE is a tribute to Africa's rich and enduring cultural legacy. 5. Weekly giveaways and major events all season long Players can also look forward to a thrilling calendar of community events and giveaways across the continent. Kicking off in July, the Airdrop Festival Carnival will offer chances to win top-tier prizes including Infinix smartphones and Oraimo accessories. Meanwhile, the prestigious Africa Cup Tournament is already underway, with national teams battling for pride and glory ahead of the grand finals on September 13–14. In August, the TikTok x PUBGM Dance Challenge invites fans to showcase their moves for a chance to win weekly Infinix smartphones. With something exciting happening each month, PUBG MOBILE is bringing the community closer than ever. More Than a Game: A Movement Co-Created With Africa This isn't just an update. It's a milestone—the result of co-creation, feedback, and the passion of millions of African players. ' For Africa, By Africa ' is more than a slogan. It's a shared vision. A promise to build a game shaped by African voices, culture, and creativity.' PUBG MOBILE is proud to stand with African gamers and promises that this is only the beginning. Together, the future of mobile gaming in Africa is brighter than ever. About PUBG MOBILE PUBG MOBILE is based on PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, the phenomenon that took the world of interactive entertainment by storm in 2017. Up to 100 players parachute onto a remote island to battle in a winner-takes-all showdown. Players must locate and scavenge their own weapons, vehicles, and supplies, and defeat every player in a visually and tactically rich battleground that forces players into a shrinking play zone. PUBG MOBILE is co-developed by LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS of Tencent Games and KRAFTON, Inc.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Unity Software Stock Soared on Wednesday
Key Points Jefferies analyst Brent Thill raised his price target on Unity stock to $35 today. Ad spending in mobile games is on the rise, and Unity should benefit from this. Unity stock costs a lot but is growing free cash flow quickly. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › Unity Software (NYSE: U), a 3D graphics software specialist, rocketed 12.7% through 1:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday, and it's not hard to figure out why. This morning, reported that Jefferies analyst Brent Thill raised his price target on Unity by more than 20% to $35 and reiterated his buy recommendation on the stock. What Jefferies says about Unity Citing data from his company's 2Q mobile game ad tech survey, Thill said "overall 2025 ad spend expectations improved off of April" and are now on course for nearly 4% year-over-year growth. Unity's share of this market is growing and "incrementally positive," leading the analyst to raise his earnings estimates for the stock -- and accordingly, his price target. Is Unity stock a buy? Is this price target justified? Perhaps. Unprofitable as calculated according to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Unity does generate substantial positive free cash flow -- $308 million over the last 12 months. On a $14 billion stock, that works out to a 45x price-to-free-cash-flow valuation on the stock. Expensive? Absolutely. And yet, the growth estimates for Unity stock are terrific and potentially terrific enough to make this stock a buy. Analysts polled by S&P Global Market Intelligence forecast Unity will more than triple its free cash flow (FCF) over the next five years to nearly $1 billion in 2030. If that's how things play out, the stock's seemingly excessive valuation could conceivably be justified. Still, going from $308 million to just under $1 billion in five years works out to only a 26% annualized FCF growth rate. I'd prefer to see that go higher to justify the stock's 45x FCF valuation -- or for the stock to pull back a bit before buying any Unity stock myself. Should you buy stock in Unity Software right now? The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $679,653!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,046,308!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,060% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 179% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 15, 2025 Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Unity Software. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why Unity Software Stock Soared on Wednesday was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
