Daily Mobile Gaming News

A cleaner daily brief on mobile game launches, updates, and pre-registration moves worth watching.

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⚡ QUICK BITE Thu, Jun 18, 2026 • taptap.io

Phigros, the popular rhythm game, has recently released version 3.19.3 for both Android and iOS, available through the TapTap app. Players have expressed strong nostalgia and attachment to the game, with many returning even after uninstalling it. The game now features a long-awaited sync function for international users, which has reignited interest among players who previously faced challenges keeping their progress. The music selection in Phigros caters to diverse tastes, keeping players engaged with a variety of tracks. While some users have reported occasional lag affecting note timing, these issues are typically resolved by refreshing the app. It’s recommended that Android users download Phigros directly from TapTap rather than the Google Play Store, as the latter has had a history of inconsistencies with the game's availability. This ensures a smoother experience and allows for data synchronization. With its captivating gameplay and extensive free content, Phigros continues to attract rhythm game fans. Original source ↗

Launch Thu, Jun 18, 2026

Pokémon Champions Dominate iPhone App Store Installs on Launch Day

Pokémon Champions has made a significant impact since its mobile launch on June 17, 2026, emerging as the most-downloaded iOS game in 13 countries, including major markets like the US and Japan. Data from Sensor Tower reveals that this new PvP battling hub from The Pokémon Company topped the download charts in various Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. In Western regions, it gained similar traction, leading downloads in the US, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Brazil. Additionally, the game secured a spot in the top five downloads in 29 countries and was the leading game on the iPhone App Store in a total of 38 countries on its launch day. As of June 18, Pokémon Champions has maintained its position at the top of the iPhone App Store overall download rankings in nine countries. While Google Play rankings are not yet available, the game's store page boasts 21.2k reviews with an average rating of 4.4. To mark the mobile launch, The Pokémon Company initiated a distribution event offering players Raichu and its two Mega Stones, enhancing gameplay until September 2. This distribution event is not exclusive to the mobile version; players can also claim these rewards on the Nintendo Switch. Notably, players can connect their save data across both platforms, enabling seamless transitions in their teams between console and mobile. The cross-platform battle feature enhances the game's appeal, especially for Switch players who can transfer Pokémon from the main series titles like Sword, Shield, Scarlet, and Violet, as well as Pokémon caught in Pokémon Go. For newcomers, Champions offers a gacha-style recruitment system, allowing players to select from a pool of random Pokémon every 22 hours. In-game resources can be utilized to bypass the timer and permanently recruit these Pokémon, enhancing their availability. This mechanic is expected to be part of the game's monetization strategy alongside a battle pass system and membership options.

News Thu, Jun 18, 2026

Queen Digital Entertainment, Founded by Ex-King Execs, Has Closed

Queen Digital Entertainment, the puzzle game studio established by former King executives Sebastian Knutsson and Stephane Kurgan, has reportedly shut down, as indicated by multiple LinkedIn posts from affected employees. The studio, which aimed to be a successor to Candy Crush's creator, was founded with significant backing, reportedly raising €16.5 million (approximately $18.9 million) in 2024, with additional funding of 340 million SEK (about $35.5 million) reported in September 2025 from American venture capital firm Accel and British firm Index Ventures. During its operation, Queen Digital Entertainment was actively working on several mobile puzzle games that followed the King model, with Appmagic data indicating that four titles were in various stages of beta testing. These titles included Pet Panic, Tail Team, Block Hero, and Wild Joker Poker, with specific release dates ranging from September 2024 to May 2026. Of these, Tail Team and Pet Panic attracted notable player bases, achieving approximately 60,000 and 830,000 installs, respectively, primarily in soft launch markets such as India, Malaysia, and the UK. Currently, Tail Team is the only title still available on iOS. Knutsson co-founded King and dedicated nearly 20 years to the company, departing in 2022 to explore investment ventures. Kurgan served as COO and director for eight years, playing key roles during critical company milestones, including the $7 billion IPO in 2014 and the $5.9 billion acquisition by Activision in 2016. The studio, which had expanded to approximately 25 employees over its three years of operation, now appears to be closed, as reinforced by the LinkedIn updates from its former staff. Attempts to reach Knutsson and Kurgan for comments regarding the closure have been made, and updates will follow if a response is received.

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⚡ QUICK BITE Thu, Jun 18, 2026 • taptap.io

The racing game 巔峰極速, also known as *Speed Racer*, has launched version 0.29.5 for Android and iOS. Developed in collaboration with Codemasters®, this AAA-level game allows players to collect and customize over 100 officially licensed luxury vehicles. Players can race on both urban streets and professional tracks worldwide, enjoying immersive visuals and realistic engine sounds. The game features a variety of racing modes, including real-time races against other players, designed to push the limits of speed. It's important to note that *Speed Racer* is rated as "Counselor Level 12+" due to certain content, including violence and adult themes related to character design. While the game is free to download, it offers in-app purchases for virtual currency and items. Players are encouraged to engage with the game responsibly, considering their personal interests and gaming habits. The game is distributed in Taiwan by Longeplay Co., Ltd. Original source ↗

Update Thu, Jun 18, 2026

Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok Demo Now Available with Major Updates

Cygames has launched a demo for Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok across all platforms in anticipation of the expansion's release on July 9. This demo allows players to engage with an early segment of the main story, undertake quests either solo or online, and experiment with various playable characters. Rewards earned during the demo can be redeemed in the full versions of either Granblue Fantasy: Relink or Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok. The demo features a Quest Mode comprising four missions that support cross-platform matchmaking. Completing the first three quests unlocks a fourth challenge, Sephira’s Sanguine Glimmer, which introduces a new combat mechanic involving Summons. A Tutorial Mode is also included, along with adjustments based on feedback from the original open beta. Notably, enemy stats for the Aquila Ruby Golem have been reduced in Sephira’s Sanguine Glimmer, the main menu character artwork has been refreshed, and Seofon is now a playable character. Improvements have also been made to co-op matchmaking. To start the Endless Ragnarok storyline in the full game, players need to clear the quest titled “The Tale of Bahamut’s Rage.” This unlocks Chaos-difficulty quests and grants access to Summons after obtaining the first one through the expansion's narrative. Cygames has also detailed The Conflux, a new solo-focused gameplay mode, with the first Cycle accessible via a side quest introduced in Chapter 6 of the main story. Additional Cycles can be unlocked by progressing through Hard and Maniac difficulty quests, with deeper Cycles linked to the Endless Ragnarok storyline. Each Cycle provides unique upgrade materials. The expansion will introduce six new playable characters. Beatrix and Eustace can be recruited using Crewmate Cards at the Knicknack Shack, while Gallanza and Maglielle require players to reach specific events during Chapter Ø and progress through Hard-difficulty content. Fraux and Fediel will join through the Endless Ragnarok story. Alongside this expansion, Granblue Fantasy: Relink will receive a significant update that includes quality-of-life improvements, gameplay rebalancing, and new side quests. Further details will be shared during a livestream scheduled for July 8, with complete patch notes released at that time. Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok is set to launch for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam on July 9, 2026, and will support crossplay.

Launch Wed, Jun 17, 2026

Pokémon Champions Now Live on Mobile with Mega Raichu Rewards

Game Freak and The Pokémon Company have officially launched Pokémon Champions on mobile platforms, accessible via iOS and Android. Players can now claim free rewards, including Raichu, Raichunite X, and Raichunite Y stones, available in their in-game mailboxes until Wednesday. These Mega Stones allow players to Mega Evolve Raichu into Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y. The game centers around Pokémon battles, following the franchise's core gameplay elements, and supports multiplayer interactions with players globally. While Game Freak leads the project, The Pokémon Works is in charge of development. Players can connect their Pokémon Home accounts to invite previously caught Pokémon partners or recruit new ones directly within the game. Pokémon Champions offers various battle modes, including ranked competitions against trainers worldwide and private matches with family and friends. It features both single and double battles, alongside a new training method that enhances Pokémon stats and move sets. Additionally, the game is also available on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.

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⚡ QUICK BITE Wed, Jun 17, 2026 • taptap.io

Riot Games has officially opened pre-registration for VALORANT Mobile on both Android and iOS platforms. This new first-person shooter is set to introduce a fresh narrative theme, featuring characters with diverse skills that expand the gameplay experience. Notably, popular leaker PlayerIGN suggests that the release of VALORANT Mobile may happen sooner than anticipated, with an announcement expected during E3 2021, which takes place in mid-June. As the year progresses, more details about the game are likely to be revealed. Original source ↗

News Wed, Jun 17, 2026

Dream Games and Peak Games Dominate Türkiye's Gaming Revenue

Dream Games and Peak Games are responsible for over 80% of Türkiye’s gaming revenue, according to AppMagic’s report on the country’s mobile gaming landscape. Despite a stagnating global market, Türkiye's games sector is growing at a rate of 6% year-over-year. The report highlights that Turkish developers are active across nearly all major game categories, yet a staggering 97% of mobile revenue is generated from the puzzle genre, with strategy games trailing at just under 1%. Dream Games alone accounts for 60% of Türkiye’s mobile game revenue through only two titles. The report, which draws on data from 2020 to 2026, shows a significant increase in Türkiye’s global market share, rising from 1% to 5% and annual revenue skyrocketing from $504 million to nearly $2.8 billion—a 450% surge with an average year-over-year growth rate of 42%. This growth has occurred despite a 4% decline in downloads, which fell to 1.8 billion. Rollic Games emerged as a key player for installs, but the report indicates that the gap between decreasing downloads and increasing revenue signals a shift among Turkish studios from volume-based growth to a focus on monetization efficiency. The number of development studios in Türkiye has more than tripled since 2020, yet downloads continue to decline. The report emphasizes that, while global mobile gaming revenues have remained flat in recent years, Türkiye's gaming market is on a distinct upward trajectory, marking it as one of the fastest-growing revenue generators in the world. Additionally, the full report details mergers and acquisitions, funding rounds, and buyouts within the industry. PocketGamer.biz also interviewed Rollic’s vice president of gaming, Utku Erdinç, regarding their successful title, Color Block Jam, which has surpassed $100 million in bookings.

News Wed, Jun 17, 2026

Almedia’s Freecash Returns to Apple App Store After Removal

Almedia’s Freecash has been reinstated on the Apple App Store, marking its return to both major mobile platforms. The app also made its way back to Google Play on May 7, 2026. Almedia reports that Freecash has distributed over $300 million in rewards since its launch. Previously, the app faced removal from both stores due to concerns regarding the company’s data collection practices, as highlighted in media reports. Almedia claims Freecash has amassed over 80 million users globally and reached the number two spot in the US App Store charts earlier this year, gaining 19 million users prior to its removal. Moritz Holländer, the founder and CEO of Almedia, expressed relief over the app's return, acknowledging the frustrations faced by users and partners during the downtime. He emphasized the company's commitment to the future of mobile advertising, reiterating that Freecash does not sell user data and complies fully with GDPR regulations.

News Wed, Jun 17, 2026

Wooga's IP Strategy Boosts June's Journey with Wicked and Agatha Christie

Wooga's successful mobile game, June's Journey, has leveraged intellectual property deals with Wicked and Agatha Christie to unlock new growth opportunities. According to Martin Rusev, Wooga's publishing director, the key to this success lies in integrating the license throughout the entire player experience rather than merely reskinning graphics. The early indicators of this strategy are promising, with a 33% reduction in video cost-per-install (CPI), a nearly 20% drop in static CPI, and the game's best visibility in app stores in the last two years. Since its launch nearly a decade ago, June's Journey has thrived on its own unique content, a hidden-object mystery set in the 1920s, amassing over $1 billion in lifetime revenue. Rusev shared insights during his keynote at Pocket Gamer Connects Barcelona, highlighting the recent pivot towards IP integrations as a strategy to attract and retain players. Rusev outlined four primary objectives for these integrations: to provide fresh content for existing players, attract new players, re-engage lapsed players, and expand the hidden-object game genre. The newly introduced limited-time items, which remain available to players once unlocked, aim to enhance the gameplay experience over time. Additionally, marketing campaigns featuring these recognizable properties aim to draw in new users while offering fresh, branded content for user acquisition. The selection of IPs involved careful consideration and research, as Rusev emphasized that the challenge lies in identifying the right fit rather than merely securing a popular license. Wicked was chosen to appeal to a younger, female demographic around the release of its second film, while Agatha Christie naturally aligned with the game's murder mystery theme, allowing Wooga to reinterpret classic stories through a new lens. Interestingly, player feedback influenced this selection process, with suggestions for Sherlock Holmes being met with a desire not to overshadow June's Journey. Wooga's approach involved comprehensive branding across the player journey, integrating the IP into various aspects of the game, from user acquisition advertisements to loading screens. A particular challenge arose in modifying the tutorial to incorporate these changes, which led to the development of a 'foreshadowing' mechanic to encourage new players to engage more deeply with the content. Rusev noted that both campaigns resulted in the production of over 500 videos and 600 static assets, all approved by the licensors. The metrics from the Wicked campaign showed significant improvements in in-game sales and participation in events, leading to an overall enhancement in top-of-the-funnel metrics, such as increased revenue per mille (RPM) and click-through rates (CTR). For Agatha Christie, the campaign similarly achieved a 20% reduction in static asset CPI and a 33% decrease in video CPI. For other studios considering similar strategies, Rusev offered several takeaways: prioritize research over license selection, ensure everyday branding of ads, maintain a consistent promise across all marketing touchpoints, and favor direct deals with licensors to foster stronger relationships. He cautioned that licensors are protective of their IPs and require ample time to navigate their approval processes.