As we are now into the second month of 2024, let’s take a moment to check out the mobile gaming advancements over the preceding month. If I were to collectively describe the month of January 2024, it 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. So, in this article, I 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 January 2024.
Monthly Mobile Gaming News Roundup for January 2024
Week 1: January 01 to January 07
Executive Summary
The first week of January 2024 kicked off with the mobile gaming news of Phoenix 2 debut on Android, offering thrilling space battles, while Need For Speed Mobile teased exciting updates, including 40-player races. Valiant Ark, the survival RPG, entered early access for Android users in the US.
Nexon faced a $8.9 million fine for alleged MapleStory drop item manipulation. Persona 5: The Phantom X commenced its third closed Beta Test in China, creating anticipation. Controversies surrounded Twitch which banned ‘implied nudity and reverted it back within a day while NetEase Games has implemented an ‘Underage Mode’ across all its games.
Highlights
- Phoenix 2 Android launch: The popular indie shoot ‘em up game, Phoenix 2, debuted on Android.
- Need For Speed Mobile: Exciting updates are confirmed for Need For Speed Mobile, including 40-player races, an original storyline, and more.
- Valiant Ark: Valiant Ark early access: The survival RPG from SkyRise Digital entered early access for Android users in the US.
- Nexon’s Fine: Nexon faces a substantial $8.9 million fine for alleged manipulation of MapleStory drop items.
- Persona 5 The Phantom X closed beta: The upcoming action RPG, Persona 5: The Phantom X, commences its third closed Beta Test on January 16 in China.
- Magic Chronicle: Isekai RPG opens registrations: An upcoming idle RPG, Magic Chronicle: Isekai RPG, is now open for pre-registration on Android and iOS.
- Sweet Farm: Cake Baking Tycoon: For fans of management games, Sweet Farm: Cake Baking Tycoon is a new ‘cake and bake’ title available on Android.
- Honor of Kings: World Trademark: The trademark for Honor of Kings: World has been approved in India, marking a crucial step in the release process.
- Honor of Kings Release Date: The official release date for Honor of Kings is expected on June 20, 2024.
- Twitch Attire Policy Update: In a recent policy update, Twitch has banned ‘implied nudity,’ refining its guidelines on streamer attire.
- NetEase Games Underage Mode: In a move to prioritize player safety, NetEase Games has implemented an ‘Underage Mode’ across all its games.
- Netflix In-App Purchases: In a strategic effort to boost revenue, Netflix is exploring the inclusion of in-app purchases and ads in its games.
- Cozy Islands – craft & build early access: Embark on a building adventure with Cozy Islands – craft & build, a simulation game now available in early access for Android users in the US.
- ROM: Remember Of Majesty Pre-Registration: Anticipation rises as ROM: Remember Of Majesty, Kakao Games’ MMORPG, opens pre-registration on Android and iOS.
- Minecraft Creator’s Mobile Games: Mojang Studios, the creator of Minecraft, is venturing into the development of new mobile games.
- Sea of Conquest Release: Sea of Conquest, the free-to-play strategy game by FunPlus. Now available on Android and iOS,
- Kim Kardashian: Hollywood Shutdown: A chapter closes as the popular celebrity simulation game, Kim Kardashian: Hollywood, announces its shutdown on April 18, 2024.
Week 2: January 08 to January 14
Executive Summary
VibeCity, a GTA-inspired RPG, was announced for Android and iOS. Ark Battle Girls, a captivating RPG, started its open beta test for Android. Goddess of Victory: NIKKE altered character designs amid artist concerns. Marvel Snap creator Second Dinner secured a $100 million funding boost.
ByteDance confirmed talks for its gaming assets, and Furry Battlefield: Iron Desert was revealed as an upcoming battle royale title, along with soft launches with Frostpunk: Beyond the Ice, Whalsea Legends, and others.
Highlights
- VibeCity Announcement: VibeCity, a GTA-inspired open-world RPG, is set to make its way to Android and iOS platforms.
- Ark Battle Girls Open Beta: Ark Battle Girls, a captivating RPG from Loongcheer Game, commences its open beta test for Android.
- Goddess of Victory: NIKKE Design Change: In response to concerns raised by an artist regarding similarities, the game Goddess of Victory: NIKKE announces alterations to its character designs.
- Second Dinner Funding Boost: Marvel Snap creator Second Dinner secures a substantial $100 million funding injection from Griffin Gaming Partners.
- Furry Battlefield: Iron Desert Announcement: Furry Battlefield: Iron Desert is set to arrive as an upcoming battle royale title on both Mobile and PC platforms.
- ByteDance Gaming Assets Talks: ByteDance confirms discussions with Tencent and other potential buyers regarding its gaming assets.
- Ubisoft and Tencent Embrace NVIDIA’s AI: Gaming industry leaders Ubisoft and Tencent join hands to adopt NVIDIA’s AI-powered NPC (Non-Playable Character) tools.
- COD Mobile Creator Calls Out Sonho: Activision, the creator of COD Mobile, represented by Hawks, exposes Sonho over alleged fake giveaways.
- Frostpunk: Beyond the Ice Early Access: Com2uS brings the chilling strategy game, Frostpunk: Beyond the Ice, into early access in selected regions.
- Whalsea Legends Dives into Early Access: Dive into the ocean-themed strategy world as Whalsea Legends surfaces in early access for Android users in the US.
- COD Mobile Expands Reach with Web Store: Activision makes a strategic move by launching the official web store for COD Mobile in selected regions.
- Night Crows Pre-registration: Madngine unveils Night Crows, an MMORPG that has opened its doors for pre-registration on both Android and iOS.
- NCT ZONE drops official OST: NCT ZONE, the cinematic adventure game by TakeOne Company, with the release of its official OST titled Do It (Let’s Play).
- Haikyu FLY HIGH Pre-registration: Haikyu FLY HIGH, a sports card game based on the popular anime series, opening pre-registration for mobile.
- Rust Mobile in development: Survival gaming takes a new turn as the mobile version of Rust is in development, with Level Infinite expected to take on the role of the publisher.
- ACEFORCE 2 Global Launch in sight: Tencent Games gears up for the sequel as ACEFORCE 2 is currently in development, with expectations of a global launch.
Week 3: January 15 to January 21
Executive Summary
Third week had a good mix of news announcements in my opinion. HunterxHunter, an action RPG based on the anime, launched in China. Netflix collaborated with Atlus for multiple mobile games. CSR 3 – Street Car Racing entered early access in Malaysia, alongside Plants vs Zombies 3 and The Elder Scrolls: Castles title and Rumble Racing Star opened pre-registration. Rust Mobile is in development, alongside ACEFORCE 2 by Tencent Games.
Highlights
- HunterxHunter launches in China: HunterxHunter, the action RPG based on the beloved anime series, makes its debut on Android and iOS in China.
- Delta Force: Hawk Ops PC Beta Announcement: Delta Force: Hawk Ops announces its PC beta in China.
- Netflix’s Collaboration with Atlus: Streaming giant Netflix reportedly collaborates with Japanese developer Atlus on multiple mobile games.
- CSR 3 – Street Car Racing Early Access: Zynga’s latest addition to the CSR series, CSR 3 – Street Car Racing, opens early access for Android in Malaysia.
- Rumble Racing Star Pre-registration: Rumble Racing Star invites players to pre-register on Android and iOS.
- UCDS 2 Global Release: A sequel to the popular car driving simulator, UCDS 2, hits the global stage, offering an immersive driving experience on Android and iOS.
- Retro Rampage Early Access: Retro Rampage, a captivating title, enters early access on Android in selected regions.
- iLLANG Pre-registration: iLLANG, an intriguing social deception title, opens pre-registration on Android and iOS.
- FashionVerse Launch: Tilting Point collaborates with Tommy Hilfiger to launch FashionVerse on Android and iOS.
- AEW: Rise to the Top Release: AEW: Rise to the Top, a slash-idle RPG, becomes available on Android and iOS.
- Sonic-Inspired Mobile Game Rumor: Rumors circulate about a new Sonic mobile game, possibly similar to Fall Guys, anticipated to arrive later this year.
- War Robots China Launch: War Robots, the flagship title by MY.GAMES, becomes available in the Chinese gaming landscape.
- Floops Big House Adventure Release: Floops Big House Adventure, a 90s-themed arcade game, on Android and iOS.
- The Elder Scrolls: Castles Announcement: Bethesda announces The Elder Scrolls: Castles mobile game after four months in early access.
- Plants vs Zombies 3 Early Access: EA’s Plants vs Zombies 3 enters early access on Android and iOS in selected regions.
- Command & Conquer: Legions Closed Beta: The closed beta test for Command & Conquer: Legions in select regions on iOS was announced.
- Wuthering Waves Closed Beta Round 2: The second round of closed beta testing for Wuthering Waves on Android and iOS.
- Love and Deepspace Release: Mobile gamers step into the world of romance with Love and Deepspace, a new 3D dating game, now available on Android and iOS.
- Armor Attack Announcement: Excitement mounts as Armor Attack, a tactical vehicle-based shooter, gears up for a 2024 launch on both Mobile and PC.
- ArcheAge: War Global Release: Kakao Games announces the global release of ArcheAge: War, their highly anticipated MMORPG, on both Mobile and PC this Summer.
- Please, Touch The Artwork 2 Pre-Registration: Please, Touch The Artwork 2, an upcoming indie title, is now open for pre-registration.
- Palworld Mobile Release Rumor: Exciting news for Palworld fans! Speculations arise as Pocketpair, the game’s developer, is actively hiring Mobile Game Engineers.
Week 4: January 22 to January 28
Executive Summary
Kicking off the fourth week of the mobile gaming news this January 2024, Nier Reincarnation’s shutdown on April 30, 2024, shocked me the most. We also saw Death Stranding Director’s Cut open pre-orders on iOS. NFL 2K – Card Battler entered early access for Android. Elf Islands and Dreamster World began early access, and Candy Crush Blast soft-launched in the Philippines.
Highlights
- Nier Reincarnation Shutdown: Square Enix reveals that Nier Reincarnation, their action role-playing game, is scheduled to shut down on April 30, 2024.
- Death Stranding Director’s Cut Pre-order: Death Stranding Director’s Cut opens for pre-order on iOS, expected to launch on January 31, 2024.
- NFL 2K Card Battler Early Access: NFL 2K – Card Battler, 2K Game’s NFL-themed card game, enters early access for Android in selected regions.
- Elf Islands Early Access: Elf Islands, Plarium’s simulation title, enters early access for Android in selected regions.
- Dreamster World Early Access: Dreamster World, a Pokemon-like RPG, enters early access for Android in selected regions.
- Candy Crush Blast Soft Launch: Candy Crush Blast from King gets a soft launch on Android in the Philippines.
- Captain Tsubasa RIVALS Release: Captain Tsubasa RIVALS, a fun soccer title based on the popular manga, is now available on Android and iOS.
- Minuscule Survival Early Access: Minuscule Survival, SkyRise Digital’s strategy game, enters early access for Android in the US.
- NU: Carnival – Bliss Release: NU: Carnival – Bliss, a fantasy RPG, is now available on Android and iOS.
- Apple’s App Store Changes: Apple reportedly plans to add new fees and restrictions for downloads outside the App Store.
- KRAFTON’s Mobile Games: KRAFTON looks to ‘Scale-up the Creative’ with Dark and Darker Mobile and inZOI launches in 2024.
- Order & Chaos: Guardians Announcement: Order & Chaos: Guardians is the next title in Gameloft’s hit mobile MMORPG series.
- Apple’s App Store Games Streaming: Apple expands access to streaming games and apps worldwide via the App Store.
- Love Live! School Idol Festival 2 Shutdown: Love Live! School Idol Festival 2 MIRACLE LIVE! to shut down on March 31 in Japan and Globally on May 31, 2024.
- Fortnite’s European Return: Fortnite to make its return in Europe on iOS through the Epic Games Store in 2024.
- KLab Pocket Pair Collaboration: Exciting News as KLab and Palworld makers Pocket Pair join forces for a new hybrid-casual mobile game.
- Ex Astris Pre-registration: Hypergryph’s premium 3D RPG invites players to pre-register for a global launch.
- Avatar: Reckoning Launch Plan Cancellation: Archosaur Games cancels the launch plan following a strategic adjustment.
Week 5: January 29 to January 31
Executive Summary
Tokyo Debunker opened pre-registration, and The House of Da Vinci announced a new puzzle game. CrisisX – Your Last Survival entered early access in Southeast Asia, and NEOWIZ’s anime RPG, BraveNine Story, is set to end its service. Sea of Conquest: Pirate War became available on PC.
Highlights
- Tokyo Debunker Pre-registration: ZigZaGame’s upcoming simulation title welcomes pre-registration for eager players.
- The House of Da Vinci: The House of Da Vinci maker reveals a new puzzle game for both mobile and PC.
- CrisisX – Your Last Survival Early Access: CrisisX enters early access for Android users in Southeast Asia.
- BraveNine Story Service End: NEOWIZ’s anime RPG, BraveNine Story, is set to conclude its service on February 29th, 2024.
- Sea of Conquest: Pirate War PC Release: FunPlus announces the availability of the free-to-play strategy game, Sea of Conquest: Pirate War, on PC.
That is all for the Mobile Gaming News for this January 2024!
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