Digital/Mobile News

• “Pokémon GO” players can now battle each other online. Niantic will optimize and balance the feature throughout the next few months. (Polygon)

• Scopely is creating a new “Scrabble” mobile game in partnership with Mattel and Hasbro. The game will be a free-to-play experience that appeals to both casual and hardcore players. (PocketGamer.biz)

• Venmo will be adding custom, animated GIFS to its payment app in the near future. The app will automatically suggest GIFs to use as you write transaction notes. (The Verge)

• Byte, the spiritual successor to Vine, is now available for mobile devices. The app follows Vine’s content format, allowing video uploads of up to six seconds. (TIME)

• Com2uS is building a new “The Walking Dead” mobile game. The company’s expertise in mobile free-to-play games makes it an ideal producer for the upcoming title. (PocketGamer.biz)

Gaming News

• “The Division 2” is launching its third season, which will take its players to Coney Island. The carnival theme will feature a slew of new gear and locales to explore. (GameSpot)

• The next chapter of “Battlefield V” will bring players to the Pacific jungles of Solomon Island. Players will be able to experience a brand new map, along with several new weapons and tools. (Polygon)

• “Destiny 2” launched its seasonal event, “Empyrean Foundation,” which will require players to donate in-game currencies to reach certain goals. Players will receive better rewards for reaching higher totals of donations, along with new quests. (Forbes)

• “Overwatch” is introducing a new competitive ruleset for its ranked game mode. Blizzard also plans to release an experimental “Overwatch” test server available to both console and PC players. (Polygon)

• Season 4 of “Apex Legends” is arriving soon, along with a brand new character and storyline. The game’s map will also change halfway throughout the season. (CNET)

Business News

• Atari plans to open eight new hotels specifically for gamers. Guests will be able to eat, sleep, and play games at specifically themed hotels. (The New York Times)

• Wizards of the Coast announced a new studio headed by Bioware veterans, including “Dragon Age” developer James Ohlen. The studio, titled Archetype Entertainment, will produce an original sci-fi game. (GamesIndustry.biz)

• Phoenix Labs, the developers of “Dauntless,” has been acquired by Garena for an undisclosed sum. The deal will allow Phoenix Labs to further pursue new opportunities with new resources. (Gamasutra)

• ArtCraft, the developers of the upcoming MMO “Crowfall,” has raised nearly $12 million in a new round of funding. The additional funds will allow the company to launch “Crowfall” in 2020. (GamesIndustry.biz)

• Sony’s flagship mobile title, “Fate/Grand Order,” reported earning over $4 billion in lifetime revenue. Launched in 2015, the title earned over $1.1 billion in 2019 alone.  (PocketGamer.biz)