AppMagic vs MTG

King's Minecraft Blast returns in soft launch

King has returned its Minecraft Blast match-3 puzzle game to soft launch, now available on Google Play in Malaysia. The updated version features new game assets, a new trailer, and an expanded feature set including six new blockers, four new chapters, daily play rewards, a new Raid Tournament, a weekly leaderboard, and a customizable companion system. The game is a spin-off of Minecraft, developed in collaboration with Mojang Studios. It was previously soft launched on iOS in Malaysia and Canada in November 2025, but was removed from testing a month later. The new build shows significantly updated graphics and a new store description, emphasizing world-building and customization elements. This move indicates King's continued investment in the franchise, aiming to capture the mobile puzzle audience with a familiar IP.

• Minecraft Blast is back in soft launch on Google Play in Malaysia.
• The game features six new blockers, four new chapters, daily play rewards, a Raid Tournament, weekly leaderboard, and customizable companion system.
• The game is developed by King in collaboration with Mojang Studios.

Gameloft Sunsetting Minion Rush After 13 Years

Gameloft is shutting down Minion Rush, its long-running mobile game based on the Minions franchise, after 13 years. The game will be removed from app stores and in-app purchases disabled on October 30, 2026, with servers shutting down on January 29, 2027. Players can continue playing offline after server closure, but no content updates will follow. A special farewell event will run in October, with potential price and reward adjustments. Gameloft cited the evolving mobile gaming landscape as the reason for the wind-down. The game has nearly 500 million downloads and generated over $45.7 million in in-app purchases, according to AppMagic estimates.

• Gameloft will remove Minion Rush from app stores and disable in-app purchases on October 30, 2026.
• Minion Rush servers will shut down on January 29, 2027.
• The game has been downloaded nearly 500 million times and generated over $45.7 million in IAP revenue.

GTA-like mobile game OneState earns $85.6M from IAP

ChillBase, the Cyprus-based developer of the GTA-style mobile roleplaying game OneState, has reportedly earned $85.6 million in in-app purchases (IAP) since its launch in April 2022, according to AppMagic estimates. The game has seen 62.3 million downloads and currently generates over $5 million per month. Founder Matvei Lipatnikov declined to confirm the figures but noted that revenue from the web store would push the total higher. OneState avoids ad monetization to preserve immersion, instead relying on in-game purchases, including purchases made by player-run gangs. The studio, which started with 20 employees, now employs hundreds across multiple countries. Lipatnikov remains confident about the game's future, expecting a positive impact from the upcoming GTA 6 release.

• OneState generated $85.6 million in IAP revenue since launch in April 2022.
• OneState has been downloaded 62.3 million times.
• OneState currently earns over $5 million per month from IAP.

How Developers Are Using AI in Game Development

PocketGamer.biz surveys how game developers currently leverage AI across production, data analysis, and user acquisition, ahead of the AI Gamechangers Summit at Pocket Gamer Connects Nordics. Executives from MTG, NC/Veroplay, Fingersoft, Dodreams, Julicia Studio, and Mattel163 share concrete use cases: AI enables three games to be built instead of one (MTG), cuts creative costs by 20-30% (Veroplay), and improves data analysis and actionable insights (Dodreams). Mattel163 uses AI for pLTV modeling and ROAS prediction to optimize UA spend. Studios report cost reductions, faster workflows, and enhanced testing, while noting incremental gains in art and Unity development. Hypergryph's Arknights: Endfield uses almost no AI, starting before the hype. The article positions AI as a practical tool improving efficiency and creativity, not a replacement for talent.

• MTG CEO says AI allows studios to build three games instead of one.
• NC/Veroplay reports AI cuts creative production costs by 20-30%.
• Dodreams uses AI for data analysis, reducing manual work and systems.

MTG Aims to Double Size Through Selective M&A and AI

Swedish digital entertainment firm Modern Times Group (MTG) aims to double its size within three to five years, primarily through selective M&A and organic growth, while scaling AI tooling. CEO Maria Redin emphasized a 'village philosophy' where studios maintain autonomy but share technology and learnings. MTG recently rebranded its midcore division to PlayAmp, which includes Plarium, InnoGames, Snowprint, Hutch, Ninja Kiwi, and Futureplay. Shared services include Plarium's data platform, the GoGame marketing platform, a D2C platform (accounting for 51% of division revenue in Q2 2026), and an AI Lab. AI is being used to accelerate game development, allowing teams to produce more content and test more ideas. Redin stressed that AI is about improving quality and output, not reducing workforce. The company is also exploring M&A opportunities in markets like Türkiye, China, and Vietnam, while remaining Western-focused.

• MTG aims to double its size within three to five years through selective M&A and organic growth.
• MTG acquired Plarium for $620 million from Aristocrat Leisure; the deal closed in 2025.
• MTG rebranded its midcore division to PlayAmp, including Plarium, InnoGames, Snowprint, Hutch, Ninja Kiwi, and Futureplay.

Changed number of shares and votes in Modern Times Group AB

STOCKHOLM, 31 August 2026 — Modern Times Group MTG AB (publ) ("MTG") today announced that as of 31 August 2026, the total number of shares in the company amounts to 119,50…