As we are now into 2024, let’s take a moment to check out the mobile gaming advancements over the preceding month. December 2023 unfolded as a delightful experience for mobile gaming enthusiasts, presenting a collection of lively new titles and bringing forth thrilling updates and revelations about forthcoming mobile games. In this article, we aim to give a comprehensive look at all the thrilling gaming experiences the previous month had in store for us with this Monthly Mobile Gaming News Roundup for December 2023.
Monthly Mobile Gaming News Roundup for December 2023
Week 1: December 01 to December 07
Executive Summary
In the first week of Mobile Gaming News for December 2023, noteworthy events included the launch of Black Clover M: Rise Of The Wizard King and the pre-registration availability for the upcoming RPG Chrono Travelers. Niantic accidentally leaked two Legendary forms in Pokémon Go ahead of the Sinnoh Tour.
The settlement of the PUBG Mobile copyright dispute between Krafton and NetEase was an industry highlight, whereas Xbox made headlines with talks about launching its Mobile Gaming Store. Honkai: Star Rail earned top awards on both the App Store and Google Play, while Genshin Impact secured the PlayStation Partner Award in 2023.
Highlights
- Black Clover M launched: Black Clover M: Rise Of The Wizard King is now available on Android and iOS.
- Chrono Travelers pre-registration: Chrono Travelers, an upcoming RPG, is now available for pre-registration on Android.
- Pokémon Go Legendary leak: Niantic accidentally leaked two Legendary forms ahead of the Sinnoh Tour in Pokémon Go.
- PUBG Mobile copyright dispute settled: Krafton and NetEase have settled the copyright dispute over PUBG Mobile.
- Xbox in talks of Mobile Gaming Store: Xbox is in talks with partners to launch its own Mobile Gaming Store, confirmed by CEO Phil Spencer.
- Honkai: Star Rail wins App Store awards: Honkai: Star Rail wins top awards on both App Store and Google Play in 2023, rewarding 800 free Stellar Jades.
- Genshin Impact wins PlayStation Partner Award: Genshin Impact won the PlayStation Partner Award in 2023, and thus awarded 800 Primogems for players.
- Avatar: Reckoning launch plans: Avatar: Reckoning is set to launch in China in H1 2024, with a global release planned for later.
- Smash Cup select release: Smash Cup, a futuristic top-down shooter action title, is now available in selected regions.
- Fortnite OG map return: Fortnite promises to bring back the fan-favorite OG map in 2024.
- Goat Simulator 3 Mobile release: Goat Simulator 3 Mobile, the latest title in the popular franchise, is now available on Android and iOS.
- Drive Stars: Sports Car Racing early access: Drive Stars: Sports Car Racing, a new racing mobile game, is now available in early access on Google Play.
- NBA Infinite pre-registration: NBA Infinite, an upcoming basketball game, is now available for pre-registration for Android and iOS.
- Shapez mobile release: Shapez is Playdigious’ indie factory building game now available on mobile as a premium title.
- Hypergraph rebrands Gryph Frontier: Hypergraph rebrands Gryph Frontier to Gryphline as the global publishing brand ahead of Arknights: Endfield launch.
- Twitch shutdown in Korea: Twitch is set to shut down operations in Korea amid soaring operational costs.
- MapleStory Index Finger controversy: The Index Finger controversy against MapleStory from Nexon was found to be inappropriate.
- USA dominates mobile game consumption: USA is expected to be the largest consumer of mobile games in 2024, holding 40% of the market share.
- Soul Knight Arena announcement: Soul Knight Arena, an upcoming 2D battle royale title based on the popular franchise, is in development.
- Kwalee’s Gamemasters Summit 2024: Kwalee reveals Gamemasters Summit 2024, a free digital conference for the mobile gaming industry.
Week 2: December 08 to December 14
Executive Summary
The second week brought EA SPORTS FC Empires into closed beta, previously known as World of League Football. Honkai: Star Rail continued its success by winning the Best Mobile Game at The Game Awards 2023. NEOWIZ’s football title, Pro Soccer: Legend Eleven, entered closed beta, and Zenless Zone Zero anticipates a global launch in 2024. Epic emerged victorious in the Google trial. Meanwhile, Mecharashi, a sci-fi RPG, initiated open beta testing for both Mobile and PC. The period also saw the rebranding of 2K’s epic strategy game, now named Civilization: Eras & Allies.
Highlights
- EA SPORTS FC Empires closed beta: EA SPORTS FC Empires, previously known as World of League Football, enters closed beta test.
- Honkai Star Rail wins Best Mobile Game: Honkai Star Rail wins Best Mobile Game of the year at The Game Awards 2023.
- Pro Soccer: Legend Eleven closed beta: Pro Soccer: Legend Eleven, NEOWIZ’s football title, opens closed beta test for Android in select regions.
- Zenless Zone Zero global launch in sight: Zenless Zone Zero is set to get a global launch for Mobile, PC, and Console in 2024.
- PUBG Mobile announce Esports roadmap: PUBG Mobile announces its Esports roadmap for 2024.
- Mecharashi open beta testing: Mecharashi, a sci-fi RPG, begins open beta testing for Mobile and PC.
- Underworld Gang Wars Community Play Test: Underworld Gang Wars announces its inaugural Community Play Test kicking off on December 23, 2023.
- 2K’s strategy game rebranding: 2K’s epic strategy game, Conquests & Alliances, is now rebranded as Civilization: Eras & Allies.
- Fantasy Tales: Sword and Magic pre-registration: Fantasy Tales: Sword and Magic, an exploration MMORPG, is now open for global pre-registration.
- Real Cricket 24 launched: Real Cricket 24 from Nautilus Mobile is now available on Android and iOS.
- Epic Games legal victory: Epic Games wins legal battle against Google as Jury rules Play Store as ‘illegal monopoly’.
- Electric Blue: Gecko Dash! pre-registration: Electric Blue: Gecko Dash! became available for pre-registration on mobile.
- Sandsoft’s new studio in Barcelona: Sandsoft opens a new studio in Barcelona aiming to work on brand new mobile titles.
- Nuverse’s Magipunk MMORPG beta testing: Nuverse’s Magipunk MMORPG, Crystal of Atlan, starts beta testing on Android in selected regions.
- Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming model: Microsoft is looking at the option of a free ad-supported model for Xbox Cloud Gaming.
- Streamer’s police complaint: Popular streamer lodges a police complaint after nude content goes viral on social media.
- Twitch’s policy update and reversal: Twitch updated its policies on adult content, which allowed ‘artistic nudity’ which was reversed a day after the announcement.
- Netflix’s ambitious 2024: Netflix shares its 2023 milestones, confirming 90 games in development and unveiling the 2024 lineup.
Week 3: December 15 to December 21
Executive Summary
The third week of December 2023 also saw exciting Mobile Gaming News with Sea of Dawn, a naval combat MMORPG, opening its closed beta, whereas Funny Fighters: Battle Royale launched globally, while NBA Infinite soft-launched in Oceania. Love and Deepspace began its closed beta test for Android in specific regions, and ROM: Remember Of Majesty, Kakao Games’ MMORPG, opened pre-registration.
Additionally, Alterna Welt: Blue Exorcist Gaiden, a 3D ARPG, announced a Summer 2024 launch in Japan. One Punch Man: World by Crunchyroll Games became available for pre-registration, and SaGa Emerald Beyond, an upcoming RPG from Square Enix, was announced for Mobile, PC, and Consoles.
Highlights
- Sea of Dawn closed beta: Sea of Dawn, a naval combat MMORPG, opens a closed beta test for Mobile and PC in select regions.
- Funny Fighters: Battle Royale launched: Funny Fighters: Battle Royale, a fun action title, is now available for Android and iOS.
- NBA Infinite soft launch: NBA Infinite gets a soft launch for Android and iOS in Oceania; here’s how to download and play.
- Love and Deepspace closed beta: Love and Deepspace begins its closed beta test for Android in select regions.
- ROM: Remember Of Majesty pre-registration: ROM: Remember Of Majesty, Kakao Games’ MMORPG, opens pre-registration on Android and iOS.
- Alterna Welt: Blue Exorcist Gaiden Japan launch: Alterna Welt: Blue Exorcist Gaiden, a 3D ARPG announced for Mobile and PC, is set for a Summer 2024 launch in Japan.
- One Punch Man: World pre-registration: One Punch Man: World, Crunchyroll Games’ upcoming action title, is now available for pre-registration.
- SaGa Emerald Beyond announced: SaGa Emerald Beyond is an upcoming RPG from Square Enix coming to Mobile, PC, and Consoles.
- Huawei partners with HoYoverse: Huawei partners with HoYoverse to enhance the HarmonyOS gaming experience.
- Tencent shuts down Team Kaiju: Tencent shuts down Team Kaiju, TiMi Studios’ North American subsidiary.
- Supercell job openings in Shanghai: Supercell unveils a new project and six new job openings for its Shanghai office.
- Wonderers: Eternal World pre-registration: Wonderers: Eternal World opens pre-registration ahead of a soft launch in select regions.
- Death Stranding: Director’s Cut release delay: Death Stranding: Director’s Cut for iPhone and Mac faces a release delay to early 2024.
- Cricket Champs: Manager Game availability: Cricket Champs: Manager Game from Playsport Games is now available for Android in select regions.
- Resident Evil 4 for iOS: Resident Evil 4, Capcom’s survival horror title, is now available for iPhone and iPad.
Week 4: December 22 to December 28
Executive Summary
The fourth week witnessed the launch of Crazy Ones in the US. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang initiated open beta testing in China. China introduced new regulations aimed at reducing excessive gaming spending. Additionally, Tokyo Revengers: Last Mission, a 3D RPG, opened pre-registration in Japan. Vinicius Jr, the Brazilian footballer, joined LOUD as a co-owner.
Indus Battle Royale Mobile commenced a limited closed beta test, while Square Enix’s Dragon Quest Tact faced a shutdown announcement. Other shutdowns included Fullmetal Alchemist Mobile and DanMachi MEMORIA FREESE, both scheduled for early 2024.
Highlights
- Crazy Ones launched: Crazy Ones, a unique strategy-based dating sim title, is now available for Android in the US.
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang China open beta: Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) starts open beta testing in China.
- China’s gaming spending regulations: China aims to cut down excessive gaming spending with new regulations.
- Tokyo Revengers: Last Mission pre-registration: Tokyo Revengers: Last Mission, a 3D RPG, opens pre-registration ahead of a soft launch in Japan.
- Yuuna and the Haunted Hot Springs official launch announcement: Yuuna and the Haunted Hot Springs: The Thrilling Steamy Maze Kiwami is set to get an official launch for Mobile, PC, and Console on January 18, 2024.
- Vinicius Jr joins LOUD: Brazilian sensation and Real Madrid winger footballer Vinicius Jr joins as a co-owner of LOUD, a LATAM Esports team.
- Indus Battle Royale Mobile closed beta: Indus Battle Royale Mobile begins a limited closed beta test for Android and iOS.
- Dragon Quest Tact shutdown: Dragon Quest Tact, Square Enix’s RPG, is set to shut down on February 29, 2024.
- Fullmetal Alchemist Mobile shutdown: Fullmetal Alchemist Mobile from Square Enix is set to shut down on March 29, 2024.
- DanMachi MEMORIA FREESE shutdown: DanMachi MEMORIA FREESE, an RPG based on the popular anime series, is set to shut down on February 28, 2024.
- Archery King early access: Archery King, KRAFTON’s bow and arrow sport title, enters early access for Android in India.
Week 5: December 29 to December 31
Executive Summary
The final week of December marked the announcement of winners for our GamingonPhone Awards 2023. CookieRun: Tower of Adventures declared a Closed Beta Test and Archosaur Games’ MMO title, Avatar: Reckoning, opened pre-registration in China. Revelation Paradox, a tactical RPG based on a popular IP, achieved an official launch in Japan and Korea, that concludes the December month as well as the year 2023 for Mobile Gaming News.
Highlights
- GamingonPhone Awards 2023 winners: The winners of the GamingonPhone Awards 2023 are announced.
- CookieRun: Tower of Adventures Closed Beta Test: CookieRun: Tower of Adventures announces Closed Beta Test for both Android and iOS.
- Avatar: Reckoning pre-registration: Avatar: Reckoning, Archosaur Games’ upcoming MMO title, is now open for pre-registration in China.
- Revelation Paradox official launch: Revelation Paradox, a tactical RPG based on the popular IP, gets an official launch in Japan and Korea.
For more Mobile Gaming news and updates, join our WhatsApp Group, Telegram Group, or Discord server. Also, follow us on Google News, Instagram, and Twitter for quick updates.
