Recap 173: What's new this week in mobile gaming?

In this week's recap #173, we take a look at the week's must-have mobile games releases, mobile news and pre-registrations/test phases not to be missed.

Sit back and relax as we round up all the week's mobile games news! On the agenda: the return of Flappy Bird 10 years after its removal from the stores, Valorant leaks and the announcement of the Mobile Gaming Show.

Mobile games releases of the week

This week has been rich in release announcements, with many games now available on stores:

• The Elder Scrolls Castles has officially launched on mobile, offering Fallout Shelter-inspired castle management. The game is available for free on the Play Store and App Store.
• Miniclip has launched Soccer Hero, a casual football game combining strategy and arcade. Available on the Play Store and App Store, this game is aimed at fans of fast, intuitive games.
• Maid of Sker, the horrific survival game is now available on the Play Store and App Store, offering a gothic experience where audio plays an essential role in survival.
• Machine Yearning, the retro puzzle game from Tiny Little Keys, is now available for free on Play Store and App Store. Players will have to solve complex puzzles in pixel art.

Boing Boing Animals on the App Store and Play Store, a cute game of raising creatures in pixel art. Meanwhile, Tiny Discs mixes Frisbee and golf in a minimalist game available on the App Store.

The new turn-based strategy RPG Dragon Raja: Cassell's Gate is available in China. Foundation: Galactic Frontier, inspired by the works of Isaac Asimov, is in soft launch in several countries on the Play Store. We have also learned that the controversial Daiblos Core, a Chinese game with a strong visual connotation, was released this week in Taiwan.

Finally, Steve Jackson Games is bringing back the interactive adventure F.I.S.T., a modernised version of the 1988 title already available on the Play Store and App Store. Finally, Jack & Detectives, a party game inspired by the werewolf game, is now available on the Play Store, App Store and PC.

Pre-registrations, announcements, updates and test phases

In addition to the recent releases, we have a number of other test and pre-registration announcements in stock this week:

• Gameloft has announced the return of the famous detective Carmen Sandiego on mobile via a Netflix subscription. This new, modernised version will be a puzzle game where players will have to solve riddles around the globe.
• The legendary Flappy Bird returns thanks to the Flappy Bird Foundation, with 10 new worlds and multiplayer modes. The game will be available at the end of October 2024 on the browser and at the beginning of 2025 on the Play Store and App Store.
• TiMi Studios unveils the open world based on the MOBA Honor of Kings, scheduled for release in 2025. Gameplay videos are already available, offering a glimpse of this highly anticipated title.
• Firefly Studios announces Stronghold Castles, a mobile adaptation of the popular strategy game. Pre-registration is open for a 2024 release on the Play Store and App Store.

Next up is the point 'n' click adventure game The Abandoned Planet , due for release on Play Store and App Store on 5 November. Sunset Hills is due to be released on mobile after successful funding on Kickstarter, and pre-registration for Cato Buttered Cat is open on Taptap.

This week also saw news of the new season of AFK Journey, Waves of Intrigue, due for release on 19 September, which will bring new locations, heroes and skills. Meanwhile, Teamfight Tactics introduces Revival: Dawn of Heroes, a nostalgic game mode featuring mechanics from Dawn of Heroes, available from 26 September to 4 November.

Once Human begins a technical test in Europe on 20 September, and finally, studio Mother teases Le Zoo, a mysterious 3D game set in a strange theme park.

Other news and events from the mobile games industry

The mobile JV industry has more news in store for you this week:

• The Mobile Gaming Show, an event dedicated to mobile games, will take place on 26 September. The show will feature trailers and exclusive interviews with the industry's biggest App Store studs.
• Leaks reveal new features for Valorant Mobile, including exclusive maps, a Team Death Match mode, and an Advanced Training mode. Development appears to be progressing, with no confirmed release date.
• A Ubisoft investor criticises the current management in an open letter, denouncing microtransaction practices and management by the Guillemot family, under the influence of Tencent.

See you next week for a round-up of mobile games news!