🚨📢BREAKING NEWS: Block Blast blasted off the Android store, Steam deck price goes to the moon
two & a half gamers · 2026-05-29
💡 Quick Take
1. Block Blast mysteriously vanished from the Android store and then reappeared without explanation.
2. CI Games experienced layoffs due to a tougher casino market and a 7% year-on-year revenue drop.
3. Monopoly Go continues to be a massive success, earning Hasbro $41 million last quarter.
4. Epic Games teased Unreal Engine 6 with a new Rocket League trailer, but offered no release details.
5. NetEase saw a 7% increase in games revenue, reaching $3.7 billion in Q1.
6. The Witcher 3 has surpassed 65 million lifetime sales.
7. CD Projekt Red is developing a new Witcher 3 expansion called "Songs of the Past," set for a 2027 release.
8. First Light, the new James Bond game from IO Interactive, sold 1.5 million copies in its first 24 hours.
9. Generative AI is the dominant theme in the 2026 GDC trend report, highlighting its adoption in code development and the need for efficiency.
10. Fortnite's return to the iOS App Store generated 3.4 million downloads, an 8-year high.
11. Valve significantly increased Steam Deck OLED prices by over 40% due to rising component costs and supply chain disruptions.
📊 Detailed Explanation
1. Block Blast's Mysterious Disappearance and Return: Block Blast, a game with 60-70 million daily active users (making it the fifth biggest mobile game), suddenly became unavailable on the Android store on Thursday, causing panic at Hungry Studios. It then reappeared on Friday with no official explanation. The iOS version remained unaffected. This event was a significant roller coaster for everyone involved.
2. CI Games Layoffs Amidst Market Challenges: CI Games had to implement layoffs because the social casino market is becoming increasingly difficult. This decision followed a reported 7% year-on-year revenue drop. The transcript suggests that "coin looters" like Monopoly Go, Coin Master, and Dice Dreams are the current trend, potentially impacting traditional social casino games.
3. Monopoly Go's Continued Dominance: Scopely's Monopoly Go is a huge revenue generator. In the last quarter, it earned Hasbro $41 million. While this is a slight decrease from previous quarters (which averaged around $42 million per quarter, totaling $168 million for FY2025), it's still incredibly stable. Scopely also stated in January that the game generates roughly $200 million per month, though direct-to-consumer (D2C) revenue and other streams aren't fully disclosed.
4. Unreal Engine 6 Teased by Epic Games: Epic Games shared a teaser for Unreal Engine 6 through a new Rocket League trailer. However, the teaser provided no specific details, a release date, or further information beyond the announcement of the new engine version.
5. NetEase's Robust Revenue Growth: NetEase reported a solid 7% increase in its games revenue for Q1 of this year, bringing in $3.7 billion. The company continues to grow, with key titles including Fantasy West Journey, Where Winds Meet, Identity V, Eggy Party, and Sword of Justice. Their growth is particularly strong in China, Turkey, and Vietnam.
6. The Witcher 3's Enduring Popularity: CD Projekt Red's iconic game, The Witcher 3, released in 2015, has now surpassed an impressive 65 million lifetime sales. This shows the game's lasting appeal and strong player base years after its initial launch.
7. New Witcher 3 Expansion Announced: Alongside the sales milestone, CD Projekt Red revealed that they are developing a new expansion for The Witcher 3 titled "Songs of the Past." This expansion will be created in collaboration with Fool's Theory (formerly known as Full Steel Studio) and is slated for a 2027 release. It's expected to be on a similar scale to the previous major expansion, "Blood and Wine." Additionally, more content for Witcher 3 is planned for release by the end of the year, though the main team is focused on developing Witcher 4, which is already showcasing impressive visuals using Unreal Engine.
8. James Bond Game's Rapid Success: IO Interactive's new James Bond game, "First Light," achieved a remarkable 1.5 million copies sold within its first 24 hours of release. The game is available on consoles and PC.
9. Generative AI Dominates GDC Trends: The 2026 GDC trend report highlights generative AI as the primary focus. Key trends include its adoption in code development, increased dual monetization strategies in mobile gaming, challenges in securing funding and publishing partnerships, evolving advocacy policies, and accessibility concerns. The report emphasizes that proficiency in using generative AI is becoming essential for staying competitive in the market.
10. Fortnite's Strong iOS Comeback: Fortnite's re-release on the iOS App Store has been a massive success, generating 3.4 million downloads. This marks an 8-year high for the game on the platform, which it was absent from since 2020. This comeback is particularly noteworthy given Epic Games' previous layoffs and their ongoing legal battles with Apple and Google, which significantly impacted their mobile revenue.
11. Steam Deck OLED Price Surge: Valve has increased the prices of its Steam Deck OLED models by over 40%. The 1TB model now costs $949, up from its advertised $649. This price hike is attributed to higher component costs and logistical challenges within the supply chain, exacerbated by the high demand for components driven by AI advancements.
🎯 Expert Opinion
Wow, what a week for gaming news! It's fascinating to see the dynamics at play, from unexpected app store disappearances to massive sales figures and the undeniable rise of AI. Let's break down some of these trends from an expert's perspective.
The Block Blast situation is a prime example of the fragility of digital distribution. While the transcript doesn't offer an explanation, these kinds of outages, especially for a game with such a massive user base, can be caused by anything from a technical glitch to a sudden policy change or even a security incident. The lack of communication is concerning and highlights a potential vulnerability in how platforms manage these situations. For developers, having a robust contingency plan and clear communication channels is absolutely critical.
The mention of CI Games' layoffs and the "tougher casino market" is a signal we've been watching. The social casino space, while lucrative, is incredibly competitive and subject to shifting player habits. The success of games like Monopoly Go, which blend collection and social mechanics with casino-like progression, is indeed changing the landscape. Traditional casino games need to innovate beyond simple mechanics to retain players. This also points to a broader trend: the increasing difficulty for new entrants to gain traction without a truly novel approach or a massive marketing budget. The "coin looter" genre is clearly where the current player engagement and monetization is focused.
Monopoly Go's sustained success is phenomenal. It's not just a game; it's a cultural phenomenon that taps into nostalgia and addictive progression loops. Hasbro's consistent revenue from it underscores the power of strong IP combined with smart live-service design. This isn't just about luck; it's about understanding player psychology and delivering a constant stream of engaging content and monetization opportunities. The $41 million per quarter is a testament to its enduring appeal and effective monetization strategy.
Epic Games teasing Unreal Engine 6 is exciting, but the lack of details is typical for early engine reveals. What's more telling is their continued reliance on Fortnite for revenue, especially in light of their ongoing legal battles. The fact that Fortnite's return to iOS is driving such significant download numbers, despite Epic's struggles, shows the immense power of that IP and the platform's reach. However, the transcript rightly points out that Epic's engine business isn't their primary revenue driver; it's Fortnite. This highlights a critical strategic challenge for them: balancing their platform ambitions with the need to maintain their core cash cow.
NetEase's continued growth is a strong indicator of the global gaming market's expansion, particularly in Asia. Their diverse portfolio, including titles like Fantasy West Journey and Eggy Party, shows their ability to cater to various player preferences. The growth in emerging markets like Turkey and Vietnam is particularly noteworthy, suggesting these regions are becoming increasingly important for global game publishers.
The enduring sales of The Witcher 3 and the announcement of a new expansion are fantastic news for RPG fans. CD Projekt Red has proven their ability to create timeless games and support them long-term. The 2027 release date for "Songs of the Past" indicates a significant development cycle, which is necessary for a high-quality expansion. This also reinforces the idea that well-crafted, story-driven single-player experiences still have a massive audience, even in an era dominated by live-service games. Their switch to Unreal Engine for Witcher 4 is also a smart move, leveraging cutting-edge technology for what promises to be another epic installment.
The rapid success of First Light (James Bond) is a great sign for IO Interactive and the James Bond franchise in gaming. Selling 1.5 million copies in 24 hours is a massive achievement and demonstrates a strong demand for high-quality, single-player action titles. This bodes well for the future of licensed games when executed with care and expertise.
The GDC trend report's focus on Generative AI is absolutely spot on. This isn't just a buzzword; it's a transformative technology. Its adoption in code development is already streamlining workflows, and its potential for content creation is immense. However, the report also touches on the challenges: securing funding and partnerships. Investors are cautious, and while AI can boost efficiency, it doesn't automatically guarantee a hit game or a sustainable business model. The emphasis on needing to be efficient with AI is crucial – those who don't integrate it will indeed be left behind. We're seeing AI used for everything from asset generation to NPC dialogue and even game design assistance. The ethical and legal implications are still being worked out, but its impact is undeniable.
Fortnite's return to iOS is a fascinating case study in platform control and IP power. The 8-year high in downloads is a clear indication that players missed the game and are eager to return. This situation underscores the ongoing tension between game developers and app store gatekeepers. Epic's ability to leverage its own store and direct distribution channels, even if it means losing mobile revenue temporarily, is a strategic gamble that seems to be paying off in terms of player loyalty and brand visibility.
Finally, the Steam Deck OLED price hike is a critical point. Valve's initial thesis for the Steam Deck was to offer a more accessible PC gaming experience. The significant price increase, driven by component costs and supply chain issues, threatens that core value proposition. Gabe Newell's mention of "mega acts" and supply chain disruptions, while perhaps a bit tongue-in-cheek, points to real economic forces at play. The AI boom is indeed driving up demand for high-end components like GPUs and RAM, impacting the cost of everything from gaming PCs to handhelds. This price increase could indeed make the Steam Deck less of an "alternative" and more of a premium device, potentially limiting its market reach. It's a delicate balance between offering a premium product and maintaining affordability for the mass market.
Kanal: two & a half gamers