Mobile gaming news roundup (January 2025): New releases, Industry movements and more

It feels like I was just covering last January’s news, and now here we are, starting a brand-new year! Mobile gaming is already off to an exciting start in 2025, with fresh releases, major updates, and announcements setting the stage for what’s to come. As the first month of the year wraps up, it’s time to look back at the key moments that shaped January. In this Monthly Mobile Gaming News Roundup, I’ll highlight the biggest stories and trends that kicked off in January 2025.

Monthly Mobile Gaming News Roundup for January 2025

Week 1: January 01 to January 07

Executive Summary

In the first week of January 2025, Bright Memory: Infinite launched on mobile, while Pet Clash opened pre-registration and began its open beta. Girls Frontline 2: Exilium reached $25 million in revenue, and Project R.I.S.E started Alpha Test registration. Infinity Nikki earned nearly $15 million in its debut month, and Crystal of Atlan announced a beta test.

Urban Heat‘s early access, Fnatic and ONIC parting ways in MLBB, and As Far As The Eye opening pre-registration were also seen. Goddess of Victory: NIKKE expanded to cloud gaming in Singapore, and Provenance App was launched for iOS. MARVEL Mystic Mayhem began closed beta, while Tile Tales: Pirate and Carmen Sandiego also made notable releases.

Highlights

• Bright Memory: Infinite mobile launch: Bright Memory: Infinite brings action-packed gameplay to mobile platforms on January 17, 2025.
• Pet Clash pre-registration and open beta: Pet Clash, a recruit-and-dominate animal title, is open for pre-registration, with its open beta beginning on January 2, 2025.
• Girls Frontline 2: Exilium revenue milestone: Girls Frontline 2: Exilium generates $25 million in revenue on mobile after one month.
• Project R.I.S.E Alpha Test registration: Project R.I.S.E will begin its Alpha Test on January 17, 2025, with registrations now open.
• Notch teases Minecraft 2: Markus ‘Notch’ Persson teases Minecraft 2, with fans overwhelmingly supporting the idea.
• Infinity Nikki debut revenue: Infinity Nikki hits nearly $15 million in revenue on mobile in its debut month.
• Crystal of Atlan beta test announcement: Nuverse’s Crystal of Atlan announces a round of beta testing with signups now open.

• Urban Heat early access: Urban Heat, a multiplayer First-Person Shooter, has started early access in select regions.
• Fnatic and ONIC MLBB roster split: Fnatic and ONIC part ways, bringing an end to their MLBB roster.
• As Far As The Eye pre-registration: As Far As The Eye brings turn-based resource management with roguelike elements and opens pre-registration.
• Goddess of Victory: NIKKE cloud gaming expansion: Goddess of Victory: NIKKE expands to cloud gaming for Android players in Singapore.
• Provenance App launched: Provenance App, a retro multi-console game emulator, is available on iOS and tvOS.
• MARVEL Mystic Mayhem closed beta: MARVEL Mystic Mayhem begins its closed beta test for Android and iOS on January 8th, 2025, in select regions.
• Tile Tales: Pirate puzzle experience: Tile Tales: Pirate brings a story-driven puzzle experience to the table, as GamingonPhone covers an in-depth stoplight article on the indie title.
• Carmen Sandiego mobile release: Gameloft’s Carmen Sandiego is coming to mobile on January 28 via Netflix Games.

Week 2: January 08 to January 14

Executive Summary

Mobile gaming news in the second week of January 2025 saw Archero 2, The Dragon Odyssey launched globally. Game of Thrones: Kingsroad began its closed beta for Android and PC, and Delicious: The First Course was released on January 30. Auroria launched in Southeast and South Asia, while Valorant Mobile teased its arrival. Fly Punch Boom! and Candy Crush Solitaire is set for a February release.

Other updates include Novel Rogue opening pre-registration, Goddess of Victory: New Hope opened pre-registration in China while Wangyue and My Time at Sandrock began its beta in the region. Duck Detective: The Secret Salami, Delta Force, and Enlisted have opened pre-registration, while Duet Night Abyss begins closed beta. Path to Glory has early access, Pool City – 8 Ball soft-launched, and Asphalt Nitro will shut down in March 2025. Mahjong Wish is coming soon to mobile.

Highlights

• Archero 2 global release: Archero 2 invites you to a new era of roguelike gameplay, now globally available.
• Game of Thrones: Kingsroad closed beta: Game of Thrones: Kingsroad begins its closed beta test for Android and PC on January 16, 2025.
• Delicious: The First Course launch: GameHouse’s Delicious: The First Course lets you delve into the origins of Emily’s culinary journey, launching on January 30, 2025.
• Auroria: a playful journey launch: Auroria: a playful journey brings open-world exploration to life, launching on Android in Southeast and South Asia.
• Riot Games Annual Player Letter 2025: Riot Games shares the State of Wild Rift in its Annual Player Letter 2025.
• Valorant Mobile teasers: Riot Games kicks off the hype train for Valorant Mobile with new teasers.
• Fly Punch Boom! mobile release: Fly Punch Boom! is bringing the wildest anime fights to mobile on February 7, 2025.
• Novel Rogue pre-registration: Novel Rogue brings a rogue-lite experience with deck building, now open for pre-registration on Android.
• Wangyue Closed Beta Test: Wangyue, an Urban Fantasy Open-World ARPG, starts its closed beta test in China for PC.

• The Dragon Odyssey release: The Dragon Odyssey is Neocraft’s fantasy MMORPG now available on Mobile and PC.
• Goddess of Victory: New Hope pre-registration in China: Goddess of Victory: New Hope will be a ‘censored’ NIKKE experience for China, now open for pre-registration.
• My Time at Sandrock mobile beta test in China: My Time at Sandrock gets a mobile port, to begin the Android beta test in China on January 23, 2025.
• Candy Crush Solitaire release: Candy Crush Solitaire, King’s latest card game will release on 6th February 2025 on mobile.
• Duck Detective: The Secret Salami pre-registration: Duck Detective: The Secret Salami opens for pre-registrations ahead of a release on April 9, 2025.
• Delta Force pre-registration: Delta Force is to officially launch in Summer 2025 on Android and iOS, pre-registrations are now open.
• Duet Night Abyss closed beta: Duet Night Abyss announces its first closed beta test for Mobile and PC, with registrations now open.
• Enlisted pre-registration: Enlisted, the squad-based tactical FPS, is heading to mobile and has opened pre-registration in China.
• Path to Glory Early Access: Gameloft’s new medieval strategy title, Path to Glory, has started early access on Android.
• Pool City – 8 Ball soft launch: Pool City – 8 Ball, Level Infinite’s cue sports experience, has soft-launched on Android across multiple regions.
• Asphalt Nitro shutdown: Asphalt Nitro will sunset as Gameloft announces its shutdown on March 3, 2025.
• Mahjong Wish release: Mahjong Wish, Tencent Games’ take on the popular tile game, is coming to mobile.

Week 3: January 15 to January 21

Executive Summary

The third week saw Dragon Quest X Offline launched on mobile in Japan, while Cassette Beasts, Tactical OPS, Together We Live, Hero’s Adventure, and Dragon Village Adventure saw launches. Crashlands 2 is set for a launch on April 10, 2025. Ace Trainer, Dark and Darker Mobile, Sailor Cats 2, and Crazy Ones also saw soft launches.

Rhythm Control 2 is out now on Android, while MapleStory Worlds launched in the Americas and Europe. HoYoverse faces a $20 million fine from the US FTC. World of Kungfu: Dragon&Eagle begins open beta. The US bans MLBB and Marvel Snap, and DARKEST DAYS announces its Global Test for Mobile and PC. launch in SEA.

Highlights

• Dragon Quest X Offline Available: Square Enix’s RPG, Dragon Quest X Offline, is now available on mobile in Japan.
• Cassette Beasts Release: The popular indie open-world RPG Cassette Beasts is now available on both Android and iOS.
• 2025 Games Industry Predictions (Part 1): Industry leaders share their insights on what 2025 holds for the gaming world, offering predictions and expectations for the year ahead.
• Tactical OPS mobile release: Tactical OPS brings modern 3D FPS battles to mobile, inspired by popular SWAT-style shooters.
• Together We Live launch: KEMCO’s Together We Live brings a visual novel adventure experience to Android.
• Crashlands 2 release date: Crashlands 2, the sequel to the beloved comedic RPG, is set to launch on mobile and PC this April 10th, 2025.
• Ace Trainer soft launch: Ace Trainer, Lilith Games’ latest casual creature-companion title, soft launches on Android in select regions.
• Dark and Darker Mobile soft launch: Dark and Darker Mobile to soft launch in Canada and USA on February 5, 2025; global release in H1 2025.

• Hero’s Adventure launch: XD Networks’ new pixelated Wuxia RPG, Hero’s Adventure, is now available on Android and iOS.
• Rhythm Control 2 release: Rhythm Control 2 revives decade-old nostalgia, now available on Android.
• MapleStory Worlds launch: MapleStory Worlds officially launches on mobile and PC in the Americas and Europe.
• Pokémon TCG Pocket Trading update: Pokémon TCG Pocket is introducing the Trading Feature in its next update, later this month.
• FTC fines HoYoverse: US FTC fines HoYoverse $20 million over Genshin Impact’s monetization practices.
• Goat Simulator: The Card Game Kickstarter: Goat Simulator is getting its own card game, launching on Kickstarter this year.
• World of Kungfu: Dragon&Eagle open beta: ChillyRoom’s World of Kungfu: Dragon&Eagle starts open beta testing on Android ahead of a March release.
• Dragon Village Adventure available: Dragon Village Adventure invites players to explore a fantasy dragon world, now available on mobile.
• US bans MLBB and Marvel Snap: US bans MLBB, Marvel Snap, and other games from MOONTON and Nuverse.
• DARKEST DAYS Global Test announced: DARKEST DAYS, an open-world zombie survival title, announces a Global Test for Mobile and PC.
• Sailor Cats 2 Available: Sailor Cats 2 invites you to an interstellar adventure to rescue adorable cats, now available via Crunchyroll Games.
• Crazy Ones launches in SEA: Crazy Ones brings a revolutionary anime dating experience, now available on mobile in SEA.

Week 4: January 22 to January 28

Executive Summary

Tiny Robots: Portal Escape is set to launch on February 12, while Hardcore Leveling Warrior, Reign of Titans, STEINS;GATE, BUMP! Superbrawl and School Hero are now available on mobile. Ragnarok M: Classic opens its beta on February 14, 2025, and Rust Mobile kicks off an Alpha Test in Canada in February.

Future Warfare: Mercenaries soft launching on Android, DC Worlds Collide returning to soft launch, and Blood Strike expanding with its open beta in Japan follow up as other updates. Isekai∞Isekai launches in Japan, while Atelier Resleriana announces its global shutdown on March 28, 2025, and The Valley of the Architects is coming in March 2025.

Highlights

• Tiny Robots: Portal Escape launch: Tiny Robots: Portal Escape, the puzzle adventure title, is set to launch on February 12, 2025, on mobile.
• Hardcore Leveling Warrior Available: Super Planet’s MMO Idle RPG, Hardcore Leveling Warrior, based on the popular webtoon series, is now available on mobile.
• Reign of Titans Available: Reign of Titans invites players to engage in strategic battles against a global community, now available on mobile.
• Future Warfare: Mercenaries Soft Launch: Future Warfare: Mercenaries, a new strategy TPS, has soft launched on Android in select regions.
• STEINS;GATE Available: The suspenseful adventure game STEINS;GATE, based on the popular visual novel, is now available via Crunchyroll Games.
• Slime Miner Launch: Slime Miner, a Web3-infused idle RPG, has launched on the Kaia ($KAIA) Chain, offering rewards for players.
• Stumble Guys Rocket Doom Mode: Stumble Guys has added Rocket Doom, a new 4v4 competitive multiplayer mode, in its 0.82 update.
• Ragnarok M: Classic Open Beta: Gravity’s Ragnarok M: Classic, a shop-free MMORPG experience, is set to launch its Open Beta on February 14, 2025.
• Rust Mobile Alpha Test: Rust Mobile will begin a 7-day Alpha Test for Android in Canada in February 2025.

• DC Worlds Collide Soft Launch: DC Worlds Collide returns as a soft launch after two years, now with a different publisher.
• Blood Strike Open Beta in Japan: NetEase Games’ Blood Strike expands to the Japan region, launching its open beta on Android.
• 2025 Games Industry Predictions (Part 2): More Industry leaders share their insights on what 2025 holds for the gaming world.
• Isekai∞Isekai Available in Japan: Isekai∞Isekai brings beloved Isekai characters from popular series, now available in Japan on multiple platforms.
• Atelier Resleriana Global Shutdown: Atelier Resleriana is set to shut down the global version on March 28, 2025, after just one year of service.
• BUMP! Superbrawl Available: Ubisoft’s BUMP! Superbrawl lets you engage in tactical 1v1 duels, available globally on Android and select regions on iOS.
• School Hero Now Available: School Hero, an anime-inspired beat ’em up arcade title, is now available on Mobile and PC.
• The Valley of the Architects coming in March 2025: The Valley of the Architects brings narrative elevator-based puzzle adventures, set to release this March 2025 on iOS and PC.

Week 5: January 29 to January 31

Executive Summary

The last three days of January 2025 also had its share of mobile gaming news. Parallel Experiment arrived with its demo as Soul Tide is shutting down due to an expiring licensing agreement. Trickcal Re:VIVE, a Korean RPG, is launching globally on mobile, while Disney Realm Breakers and mo.co are soft-launching in select regions and Q1 2025, respectively. A Perfect Day opens pre-registration for mobile.

Other updates include Lara Croft: Guardian of Light launching on mobile on February 27, 2025, and Town of Salem 2 now available on Android and iOS. Free Fire plans its return to Bangladesh, and WWE 2K Mobile is set for a Fall 2025 release via Netflix Games, while the platform also ditched 6 titles from its launch roadmap.

Highlights

• Parallel Experiment Demo Available: Parallel Experiment brings a co-op puzzle thriller experience this March, with a demo version now available on mobile.
• Soul Tide Shutdown: Soul Tide is shutting down on February 28, 2025, due to its licensing agreement nearing its end.
• Trickcal Re:VIVE Global Launch: Trickcal Re:VIVE, the hit Korean RPG, is finally getting a global launch on mobile platforms.
• Disney Realm Breakers Soft-Launched: JOYCITY’s Disney Realm Breakers have been soft-launched in select regions.
• mo.co soft launch: Supercell’s monster-hunting RPG, mo.co, will soft launch in Q1 2025.

• A Perfect Day Pre-Registration: A Perfect Day, a time-loop narrative puzzle game, opens pre-registration for mobile.
• Lara Croft: Guardian of Light Launch: Feral Interactive brings Lara Croft: Guardian of Light to mobile, launching February 27, 2025.
• Town of Salem 2 Available: Town of Salem 2, an online social deduction game, is now available on Android and iOS.
• Free Fire’s Comeback to Bangladesh: Free Fire is aiming to return to Bangladesh after three years.
• WWE 2K Mobile Announced: Netflix Games has announced the arrival of WWE 2K Mobile, set to release in Fall 2025.
• Netflix Games backs off releasing six games: Netflix Games cancels release plans for Six Games, including Don’t Starve Together and Tales of the Shire.

That’s all for the mobile gaming news for January 2025. If you liked the roundup that catered towards the January 2025 news focusing on mobile gaming, here are the previous editions:

• Mobile gaming news roundup for December 2024
• Mobile gaming news roundup for November 2024
• Mobile gaming news roundup for October 2024
• Mobile gaming news roundup for September 2024

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