In this week’s roundup: Subway Surfers heads to Apple Arcade, the GamingonPhone Awards 2025 celebrate the best in mobile games, and Netflix expands its fast-growing premium mobile gaming slate.

Subway Surfers makes its Apple Arcade debut with ad-free premium release

Subway Surfers is coming to Apple Arcade for the first time with Subway Surfers+, launching on December 4. The premium edition delivers the classic endless-runner experience players know, but with completely uninterrupted, ad-free gameplay as part of Apple’s “App Store Greats” collection.

Subway Surfers+ includes a curated selection of fan-favorite characters and destinations from the franchise’s 13-year run, spanning iconic World Tour stops such as the North Pole, Ireland, Copenhagen, and Las Vegas. The title also introduces a new twist: a skill-based Jetpack mini-game that gives players the option to extend their run after failing — a first for the series.

Implications:
Subway Surfers’ arrival on Apple Arcade reinforces the platform’s push toward high-profile, globally recognized mobile brands. For developers, it signals that premium, ad-free versions of major F2P titles can offer a second life — and a second revenue stream — within subscription ecosystems. For Apple, it is another move to make Arcade a home for evergreen hits rather than niche exclusives.

GamingonPhone Awards 2025: Mobile gaming’s biggest creators gather in Bangkok

The GamingonPhone Awards 2025 held its first-ever in-person gala, held on October 17 in Bangkok, Thailand. More than 240 finalists competed across 30 categories, with winners selected through a blend of expert jury votes, public participation, and GamingonPhone editorial insight.

This year's winners spanned genres, platforms, and regions — reflecting the diversity and global scale of the mobile gaming landscape. Major awards included:

• Game of the Year: DC Dark Legion
• On-going Game of the Year: Clash Royale
• Indie Game of the Year: Subnautica
• Premium Game of the Year: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
• Innovative Game of the Year: Dredge
• Apple Arcade Game of the Year: LEGO Hill Climb Adventures
• Netflix Game of the Year: Blood Line: A Rebel Moon Game
• Visual Spectacle of the Year: Black Beacon
• Mobile Esports Game of the Year: Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
• Mobile Game Developer of the Year: MOONTON Games
• Mobile Publisher of the Year: Scopely

Representatives from leading studios — including NCSOFT, Supercell, SEGA, Tencent, Epic Games, Habby, and many more — were in attendance.

Implications:
With its first in-person gala, the GamingonPhone Awards cements itself as a major industry fixture. The event’s scale highlights the growing need for recognition frameworks that span the full spectrum of mobile gaming, from AAA-scale publishers to indie studios. For developers, a win here offers meaningful visibility in an increasingly crowded marketplace.

Netflix expands its mobile catalog as premium gaming push accelerates

Netflix continues to grow its mobile gaming ambitions, adding new titles — including high-profile releases like Red Dead Redemption — and expanding support for playing games directly on TVs using smartphones as controllers. The lineup is part of the streamer’s long-term strategy to broaden its entertainment ecosystem beyond video content.

The platform’s “play anywhere” model positions Netflix as a unique hybrid between traditional streaming and mobile gaming, with a focus on premium, ad-free experiences included in users’ existing subscriptions.

Implications:
Netflix’s surge into mobile marks an increasingly competitive landscape for premium mobile gaming. The push pressures traditional platforms — from Apple Arcade to Google Play Pass — while offering developers an alternative distribution channel with guaranteed reach. For players, it hints at a future where “gaming libraries” sit alongside TV show catalogues inside subscription bundles.