DeNA Group’s four Mobage networks will offering Disney and Marvel mobile social games to phones worldwide, following an agreement announced jointly with The Walt Disney Co. today.
This is the first time DeNA games have been available outside of Japan. Additionally, the two companies intend to expand their relationship beyond mobile games and into Disney movies, Disney TV programs and Disney smart phone apps.
The partnership began on the Mobage network in Japan, with their first jointly developed social game, Disney Party. The second title will be Disney Fantasy Quest (pictured) on April 2, while the third is based on Marvel Comics characters and will go live this summer.
Those three games are being localized and readied to launch as smartphone apps late this summer on Mobage Global for North America and Europe, Mobage China, and Daum Mobage for South Korea.
“We are very excited about working closely with DeNA, which is the market leader of mobile games, to provide great new services,” said Paul Candland, president of The Walt Disney Co. (Japan). “We are also looking forward to inviting our audiences all over the world to enjoy Japan made original game content through DeNA’s global platform.”
Isao Moriyasu, representative director and president of DeNA, said Disney characters and stories have universal appeal, and DeNA has a proven cross-device platform for mobile social games. “Together, we can delight millions of players with games featuring Disney’s and Marvel’s beloved characters,” he said.
DeNA reported net sales of about $448 million during the quarter ended Dec. 31, 16 percent higher than the same quarter of 2011. Operating income for the same period was about $178 million, eight percent lower than the same quarter of the last fiscal year.
Mobage reaches 36 million users in Japan alone, with more than 1,300 social game titles. The platform’s user data shows its players are 40 percent female, and 44 percent are in their thirties and above.
Disney Party is a free-to-play social party-simulation game for mobile phones with optional virtual items for purchase. Players organize parties and decorate their interiors with various “gifts” that will attract Disney characters. When the characters pay visits, players can greet or take photos with them, which can be shared with other Mobage users.
Disney Fantasy Quest is a social card-collection game where players collect cards of popular characters to compile “magic books” in a quest to make the world happier. The title is also a free-to-play mobile game with optional virtual items for purchase.
The Marvel-themed game is slated to be a free-to-play social card-battle game where players collect cards with characters developed by Marvel, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Co., and battle against enemies.
Related links:
Press release – http://preview.tinyurl.com/8x62xk6
Both images © Disney, used with permission
