Epic goes mobile, Pokémon goes to Hawaii and gamers go to Gamescom | Week in Views

• The PocketGamer.biz team share their thoughts and go that little bit deeper on some of the more interesting things that have happened in mobile gaming in the past week

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The games industry moves quickly and while stories may come and go there are some that we just can’t let go of…

So, to give those particularly thorny topics a further going over we’ve created a weekly digest where the members of the PocketGamer.biz team share their thoughts and go that little bit deeper on some of the more interesting things that have happened in mobile gaming in the past week.

The Epic Games Store finally arrives on mobile

It’s official. Hell just froze over and Epic have got an Epic Games Store on mobile. But don’t go thinking that this is in any way due to them embarking on any kind of change of heart or shamefaced roll over. Nope. Today is an Epic victory; the end result of a bloody-minded war that saw the maker of Fortnite (and more) resolutely refuse to pay the platform holders for access to their devices. 

Well done Epic. They said you were mad, but you showed them…

Cos if waging war with both Apple and Google meant missing out on millions rather than sharing the cash then so be it. A devs gotta do what a devs gotta do. And you really did go and do exactly what you said you would. You really stuck it to the man. You really did cut off your nose to spite your face. But you won and maybe now – just maybe – people can get back to playing your games and giving you their money.

Or rather they can if they follow an install process so convoluted that Epic have had to make a pair of ‘how to’ videos just to show their denied, desparate and confused fans how to get your games onto their phones. 

Remember when nobody understood how to get games on phones? Before the app stores cleared up the mess, made it simple and kick-started a billion-dollar app industry? Well done, Epic. It’s just like ol’ times…

Mobile Mavens: The expert’s guide to surviving Gamescom

With Gamescom just around the corner we spoke with our Mobile Mavens who offered some advice on how to get the best out of your time attending one of the games industry’s biggest events of the year.

Here are just a few tips they offered.

Navigation and meetings:

• It helps if you can stay in the city – closer to the venue, the better
• Research the people and companies you want to meet with
• Make the most of MeetToMatch
• Schedule your meeting with time in between – it’s a maze in there!
• Your Gamescom ticket allows you to use local transport for free
If you haven’t secured meeting spots, plan ahead as finding quiet spots is a challenge

Networking and parties:

• Sign up to all the parties
• Decide if you need to do dinners or networking
• Parties are in various locations plan and pace yourself
• Remain open to unexpected invites or opportunities in coffee queues!
• Be ready with contact details, be it business cards or QR codes
• Don’t be afraid to say ‘hi’ and ask questions!

Attending the halls:

• If you want to attend the halls on a more quiet day go early on Wednesday ahead of the crowds
• Stick around attend on Friday for the full ‘let the gamers in’ experience
• Take plenty of pictures for socials and promo later

Practical tips:

• Bring a refillable water bottle and stay hydrated 
• Wear light breathable clothing and comfortable footwear
• Get enough sleep – it’s a marathon not a sprint
• Follow up with people asap, even just a quick “thanks for chatting”
• Don’t forget a power-bank for that essential recharge

Check out the full article for more advice and enjoy Gamescom!

Mobile matters at Pokémon Worlds 2024 as Pokémon Go and Unite players get set to clash

Pokémon Worlds has migrated to Hawaii this year, with fans of all Pokémon games from Scarlet and Violet to the TCG and even Go set to compete for the title of Pokémon Master.

Instead of making the most of the sunshine, competitive players are in for three days of battling with cash prizes up for grabs as well as bragging rights. The 2024 events marks the third appearance of a Go competition, and the third for Unite too, as mobile gradually establishes itself amongst the tournaments.

With Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket still on the horizon, and the physical card game so popular at these events, one has to wonder if a third mobile game will be added to the lineup in a year’s time – and establish a prevalence beyond even the Switch’s…

In the meantime, there’s the 2024 event to enjoy with plenty of Pikachus and even more battles to see.

Wait, Pikachu’s snorkeling now?!