SQUARE ENIX vs Pokémon

ZBD unveils embedded financial platform for games

ZBD (Zebedee) revealed a platform of embedded financial infrastructure for video games, including products named Embedded Accounts, Embedded Payouts, Embedded Rewards and Branded Debit Cards. The offering is designed to support money flowing into games, through player economies, and back out to players and creators — enabling deposits, real-money peer-to-peer marketplaces, creator-economies, compliant cash-outs, and payouts via bank accounts, Cash App, gift cards and push-to-card. ZBD said it has raised $90 million from investors including RAINE, Square Enix and Lakestar, and is a licensed payment provider across most US states and the EEA. Gordon Thornton, ZBD chief commercial officer, framed the move as enabling two-way financial relationships between players and publishers.

• ZBD revealed an embedded financial infrastructure platform for games with multiple products.
• Products announced include Embedded Accounts, Embedded Payouts, Embedded Rewards and Branded Debit Cards.
• Embedded Accounts supports direct deposits, real-money P2P marketplaces, creator economies and compliant cash-outs.

Club Penguin vets build kids' web game Imagine Island

Magic Potion Games, founded by Stephen MacDonald and staffed by former Club Penguin, Epic and EA alumni, is developing the web game Imagine Island aimed at Gen Alpha. The studio has completed a Series A round (amount undisclosed) and counts investors including Square Enix, 1AM Gaming, 1Up Ventures, Konvoy and angel Lane Merrifield. Imagine Island's beta reached over one million organic players and the title was nominated for Best Web Game in the Pocket Gamer Awards 2026. The company emphasises child safety, plans creator tools, partnerships with children’s franchises, a parent-friendly membership model, a forthcoming mobile app, and is hiring.

• Magic Potion Games is led by founder and CEO Stephen MacDonald.
• The studio has completed a Series A funding round; the amount has not been disclosed.
• Investors backing Magic Potion Games include Square Enix, 1AM Gaming, 1Up Ventures, Konvoy, and angel Lane Merrifield.

Dragon Quest Smash/Grow earns $34.4M in three months

Square Enix’s mobile title Dragon Quest Smash/Grow generated $34.4 million in gross player spending during its first three months after launching globally on April 20, 2026. Japan accounted for the majority of revenue with $30.8m (90%), followed by Taiwan ($1.3m, 4%) and the US ($973k, 3%). Monthly revenue declined from $19.4m in month one to $9.4m in month two and $5.6m in month three. The game monetises via a weapons-based gacha model, in-app purchases and bundles, in-game advertising, and an external web shop. Daily spending peaked at over $1.4m on April 28, 2026.

• Dragon Quest Smash/Grow generated $34.4 million in gross player spending in its first three months.
• The game launched globally on April 20, 2026.
• Japan contributed $30.8 million (90% of total); Taiwan $1.3 million (4%); US $973,000 (3%).

Pokémon Horizons: Season 3—Rising Hope Part 4 Now on Netflix

Pokémon Horizons: Season 3—Rising Hope Part 4 is now available on Netflix. Also new: Sean Wotherspoon Plush Collab, Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration expansion, and more.

Mobile Game Crossovers: Clash of Clans, Subway Surfers, Pokémon Go

This article is a roundup of mobile game collaborations and marketing campaigns for September 2026. It covers partnerships such as Clash of Clans featuring WWE wrestlers, Candy Crush teaming with Shania Twain and Zedd, Subway Surfers reviving its Among Us event, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery promoting the upcoming HBO series, and Pokémon Go partnering with All Nippon Airways for a special flight and airport activities. Other notable crossovers include Ed Sheeran performing at Pokémon Worlds, Fire Emblem Heroes introducing characters from a new game, Isekai: Slow Life featuring Demon Slayer characters, and Duolingo partnering with Eggy Party in China. Additionally, Puzzle & Dragons collaborates with Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Ubisoft's Rainbow Six Mobile partners with Payday, and PUBG Mobile teams with Lincoln for in-game vehicles.

• Clash of Clans partners with WWE, adding six wrestlers including Cody Rhodes, The Undertaker, and Alexa Bliss as playable characters.
• Candy Crush launches Music Season 2026 with a remix of 'You're Still the One' by Shania Twain and Zedd, running until October 4, 2026.
• Subway Surfers brings back the Among Us Rush event with new cosmetics and a new map.

Pokémon Go tops mobile revenue charts in early September

During the first week of September 2026, Pokémon Go became the highest-grossing mobile game globally, generating an estimated $44.2 million from player spending on Google Play and the App Store. This surge was driven by the Pokémon Go Fest 2026: Mega Ascension and Mega Finale events, which featured exclusive content like Mega Mewtwo and Armoured Mewtwo. Daily spending peaked at $10.1 million on September 5th. The US contributed the largest share ($19.3M), followed by Japan ($11M). Fellow Scopely title Monopoly Go ranked second with $33.6M, while Tencent's Honor of Kings fell to seventh. The data, provided by AppMagic, excludes revenue from D2C, ads, and alternative Android stores.

• Pokémon Go generated an estimated $44.2 million in player spending on Google Play and App Store during the first week of September 2026.
• The game topped the revenue charts for three consecutive days starting September 5th.
• Daily spending peaked at $10.1 million on September 5th during the Mega Finale event.