Mario Kart Tour to shut down in September 2026

I was wrong about game development

After releasing a mobile game called Burst, the author reflects on an underestimated challenge in game development: getting difficulty balance just right. The initial release was too easy, a subsequent update made it too hard, and player feedback drove the creation of a new Zen mode that restores the relaxed feel without leaderboard pressure. The post also touches on the unintended consequences of adding a tip jar, which triggered an 'in-app purchases' label on the App Store listing that felt misleading to users.

Original Switch console lineup to be discontinued in Europe by mid-February 2027

Nintendo will discontinue the original Switch, Switch Lite, and OLED models in Europe from mid-February 2027 to comply with EU legislation requiring accessible, replaceable consumer hardware batteries. All three models will continue to be manufactured through 2026 and remain available until the deadline. Revised Switch 2 consoles with replaceable batteries will begin rolling out in summer 2026, with replacement Joy-Con 2 controllers and Pro Controllers available in winter, and Nintendo 64 and GameCube controllers in early 2027. Battery replacement kits will also be sold via the Nintendo Store in Europe. There is no functional difference between current and revised products.

Supercell starts developer grants program for African studios

Supercell, the studio behind Brawl Stars, has launched a developer grants program targeting game development studios across Africa. The program offers equity-free grants ranging from $20,000 to $200,000, with applications open until August 9. Between three and five studios will be selected for the first cohort, with funding beginning in December. Studios must be legally registered and primarily based in Africa to qualify. Supercell retains no equity or IP ownership as part of the grants.

Nintendo is winding down Switch 1 sales in Europe

Nintendo will stop selling the original Switch console to European retailers in mid-February 2027. The decision is driven by new EU regulations requiring consumer electronics to have replaceable batteries, which has also prompted Nintendo to develop a Switch 2 model compliant with those rules for the European market.

Nintendo stops selling the original Switch in Europe

Nintendo will discontinue all original Switch models (Switch, Switch Lite, Switch OLED) in Europe by mid-February 2027, driven by a new EU regulation requiring user-replaceable batteries in portable devices from 18 February 2027. Revised compliant versions will roll out starting summer 2026, with a Switch 2 featuring a replaceable battery arriving in autumn. The new Switch 2 battery is marginally smaller (5,172mAh vs 5,220mAh) and the console gains about 10g. Some accessories — including the original Switch Pro Controller and licensed Sega/SNES pads — will be retired without replacements. Nintendo has not confirmed whether the discontinuation will extend beyond Europe's 35 markets.

Nintendo is increasing the price of Switch 2 in South Korea

Nintendo is raising the Switch 2's suggested retail price in South Korea by approximately 15%, from 648,000 won to 758,000 won, effective September 1, 2026. This follows similar price hikes already announced for Japan, Europe, Canada, and the US. Nintendo cited rising oil prices due to the war on Iran, surging memory and component costs, and unfavorable foreign exchange trends as the driving factors. Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa acknowledged the increases could price some consumers out of the ecosystem but said maintaining current pricing would significantly harm hardware profitability. The Switch 2 has already sold nearly 20 million units worldwide, surpassing Nintendo's initial estimates.

ROAS Optimization: Balancing D7 and D28 IAP Campaigns

Unity Ads bổ sung tối ưu hóa ROAS theo D28 (28 ngày) song song với D7 (7 ngày), khuyến nghị chạy đồng thời cả hai. D7 thu hút người chơi chi tiêu sớm và cung cấp phản hồi nhanh, trong khi D28 nhắm đến nhóm người chơi có giá trị cao nhưng không thể hiện dấu hiệu chi tiêu trong tuần đầu tiên (khoảng 62%). Unity Vector sử dụng dữ liệu hành vi đa trò chơi để phân biệt các nhóm người chơi này lúc đấu giá, ngăn chặn sự cạnh tranh lẫn nhau giữa hai chiến dịch. Kết hợp cả hai giúp bao phủ toàn bộ doanh thu trong 28 ngày và nâng cao hiệu quả UA.

Lập trình viên phát triển game nên đọc bài này để tối ưu hóa chiến dịch IAP hiệu quả hơn bằng cách hiểu cách Unity Ads kết hợp D7 và D28 ROAS để tăng doanh thu lâu dài mà không gây cạnh tranh giữa các nhóm người chơi khác nhau.