Mobile's new meta

Read on for every story from another eventful week. Paid subs get a look at why the mobile landscape suddenly looks very different – and all the better for it.

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This week’s stories:

Save the date: Off The Record is coming to LA on June 10

Our second event is coming soon, and this time we’re partnering with the folks at Deconstructor of Fun. Apply for a ticket here.

New game digest: Fortnite(!) plus fresh titles from Hoyoverse, Azra, Mattel, Voodoo, Miniclip, CrazyLabs and more

Our weekly round up of the latest global releases, new soft launches and everything in between.

Apple seeks Epic ruling delay, claiming it is punitive, violates free speech and causes “irreparable harm”

The tech giant claims that it could lose billions as developers rush to dodge its 30% commission.

Tripledot eyes up IPO – and more M&A – after landmark AppLovin deal

Layoffs are unlikely, says Tripledot cofounder and CEO Lior Shiff: "We’re not going to create a load of value by firing lots of people".

It’s official: Tripledot has acquired all of AppLovin’s studios

Tripledot paid $400m in cash for 10 AppLovin game studios, with AppLovin taking a 20% ownership stake in Tripledot as part of the deal.

Unity completes Vector migration, claims immediate “15-20% lift” in results

The adtech and engine platform says that its new AI-driven ad network is already seeing results as it steps up its UA fight with AppLovin.

Data digest: EA mobile declines again, Roblox rises, Gossip Harbor leads merge 2, celebrity ad metrics, more

All of this week's need-to-know numbers in one spot.

Apple appeals Epic ruling as industry hails ‘pivotal moment’

Webshop firms and pundits are calling the removal of payment restrictions in the US App Store a turning point – but Apple has already filed its appeal.

Stillfront poised to sell or close studios as strategic review begins

The owner of Supremacy 1914, Albion Online, Goodgame, Jawaker, Kixeye and more is looking to streamline under new boss Alexis Bonte.

Jobs digest: major moves at Scopely, NetEase, Riot, Discord, Epic, Unity, Tripledot and more

There are also hiring updates at Mag Interactive, Tactile Games, Nordeus, Reach Labs, Google, UserWise, FunPlus, Alinea Analytics and Dots.eco in our latest update.

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Mobile's new meta

Between that landmark US App Store ruling and Tripledot’s sudden levelling up, the mobile landscape suddenly looks very different – and all the better for it.

The mobile ecosystem has a new, rather unexpected hero: US Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers.

Because of Judge Rogers – and Apple’s brazen malicious compliance – Fortnite is about to return to the US App Store while Spotify, Patreon and Amazon have already shipped updates that take advantage of the new freedoms.

And of course, game-makers across the business are busy prepping their own ways to dodge the 30% Apple tax.

Adding to this sudden wave of change is Tripledot. After several years as a successful but fairly low-key operator, that rumoured deal for 10 AppLovin studios was confirmed on Wednesday – and it immediately catapulted the London outfit into the big leagues.

Our follow-up chat with Tripledot cofounder and CEO Lior Shiff added several extra layers of intrigue to the story, too.