Nintendo is ready to branch out into the mobile market. A new report indicates the Japanese gaming company plans to team up with mobile game company DeNA. The partnership will help the companies create apps for smartphones and tablets. Nintendo also hopes to launch a worldwide membership program during the latter half of the year.
The game giant still plans to maintain its presence in the game console market. It’s still working on a game console code-named NX.
The details on Nintendo’s new partnership
Nintendo’s mobile game partnership will include mobile games featuring iconic characters, but the mobile titles will not port games from Wii U or 3DS consoles. The mobile games will be new and exclusive. The partnership could pave the way for new game developments involving Nintendo’s intellectual property such as games or characters. The global online membership extends beyond mobile devices; it will be available on game consoles and personal computers.
Nintendo has struggled in the last few years thanks to the growing influx of mobile games. Former game console owners switched from game consoles to downloadable games on their smartphones and tablets. Although Nintendo still accrues a significant portion of income from popular video games featuring iconic characters like Zelda, the game maker still struggles to compete with the mobile gaming industry.
Nintendo’s CEO hopeful for the future
The game giant’s president, Satoru Iwata, explained they don’t have a pessimistic view of game consoles in the future. Instead, his company would like to challenge itself to redefine the gaming platform. He also said Nintendo would be able to increase its fan base by reaching out to game players on mobile platforms. He acknowledged that it was necessary for companies to adjust to market changes, especially if they want to survive.
Nintendo’s recent announcement comes as quite a surprise considering Iwata’s previous reluctance to go mobile. Two years ago, Iwata told The Wall Street Journal the reason the company is still here because they didn’t supply games to mobile markets.
