In today’s roundup: Epic signals Fortnite may not return to iPhones in the UK; Konvoy’s Q2 2025 report shows mobile leads VC funding despite 47% decline; Sandsoft shuts Barcelona and Riyadh studios in publishing pivot.

Epic warns Fortnite may not return to iPhones in UK

Epic Games has signaled that Fortnite may not relaunch on iOS in the United Kingdom, citing unresolved disputes with Apple and a lack of regulatory support for third-party app stores. The company described the UK Competition and Markets Authority's recent decisions as “bleak,” and lacking the structural reform needed to ensure platform fairness.

Fortnite was reinstated on iOS in both the U.S. and EU earlier this year via alternative distribution channels allowed under the EU Digital Markets Act. However, the UK’s regulatory environment currently lacks equivalent enforcement mechanisms, and Epic has indicated it may deprioritise the UK in favour of expansion in markets like Japan, Brazil, and Southeast Asia.

Sandsoft closes Barcelona and Riyadh studios amid strategic shift

Sandsoft, a mobile games publisher backed by Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group, has shut down its internal studios in Riyadh and Barcelona, impacting 21 roles within internal game development. The remaining employees, largely in publishing functions, are expected to be retained.

This shift represents a strategic decision to focus entirely on publishing, which has consistently been the company's strongest area and where they see the most potential for long-term growth. The rest of the company, including our global Publishing teams, remains fully intact.CEO David Fernández emphasised that the decision was not a reflection on team performance or quality but rather a necessary realignment to focus resources on publishing. The company will continue supporting external developers and scaling its publishing pipeline, particularly in MENA and global markets.

Konvoy Q2 2025 Report: VC funding in games down 47%, mobile remains resilient

Konvoy Ventures has released its Q2 2025 Gaming Industry Report, highlighting a 47% quarter-over-quarter decline in global gaming VC funding to $193 million, with deal count falling to 60 - a 13% drop from Q1 and down 55% year-over-year.

Despite overall contraction, mobile continues to receive the largest share of funding among platforms. The report notes that early-stage deals dominate, with investors shifting focus to content creators and modular development tools. Konvoy projects the global gaming market to grow to $196 billion by 2026, driven by increased monetization efficiency and platform expansion in emerging regions.