On the podcast: Oakever Games shenanigans, King and the Xbox cuts, Hipster Whale, One State, Monopoly Go, more
The mobile games industry faces multiple controversies this week. Oakever Games, developer of Vita Mahjong and Meowdoku, is embroiled in an escalating legal dispute with Block Blast creator Hungry Studio. The company has already lost one copyright infringement case and is defending against another, with industry sources indicating additional litigation may be forthcoming. This suggests a broader pattern of legal challenges confronting the studio.
Meanwhile, King—the major mobile publisher behind titles like Candy Crush—is navigating fallout from Xbox’s latest organizational restructuring and cost-cutting measures. While the company appears to have largely avoided significant layoffs compared to other studios affected by the cuts, it faces imminent strike action scheduled for later this week, highlighting ongoing labour tensions within the organization.
In brighter news, Hipster Whale, recently acquired by Atari, could be working on revivals or reimaginings of classic Atari games, suggesting a potential focus on game preservation and franchise revival. The acquisition signals Atari’s interest in leveraging modern mobile development expertise to revitalize its legacy intellectual property.
The podcast also touches on other significant market movements, including Monopoly Go’s continued performance and the impending launch of GTA 6, underscoring the competitive landscape facing mobile publishers.