As smartphones and tables have grown more powerful and more affordable, the mobile gaming industry has blossomed. Once dominated by the casual gamer, smartphone and tablet gaming is no longer just Bejeweled and Angry Birds (as evidenced by Nvidia’s SHIELD platform).
Today signalled another milestone for the mobile gaming industry as game giant Nintendo announced plans to develop games for mobile devices in partnership with DeNA. The two companies today announced a business and capital alliance that will see them work together to create new games and apps for ‘smart devices.’
DeNA, for those not in the know, is in the business of developing mobile and online services, including games and other entertainment content as well as e-commerce services. According to a statement released today, the partnership will leverage DeNA’s “world-class expertise in mobile games” and Nintendo’s strong IP. For those hoping to see their favourite Nintendo games on mobile, simmer down. Nintendo and DeNA specifically state that this agreement covers only new games (though there doesn’t seem to be anything in there that rules out new games based on old worlds or characters):
“To ensure the quality of game experience that consumers expect from this alliance of Nintendo and DeNA, only new original games optimized for smart device functionality will be created, rather than porting games created specifically for the Wii U home console or the Nintendo 3DS portable system,” the press release reads.
During a press conference this morning, Nintendo also confirmed it is working on a new system, though it declined to say whether the hardware, codenamed NX, is a mobile or handheld device or a traditional console. However, Engadget reports that the ‘NX’ symbol appeared on a slide alongside images of the Nintendo Wii U, 3DS and other mobile platforms, so we could be looking at something handheld and/or complementary. Perhaps it’s one of the “smart devices” Nintendo and DeNA keep referring to?
[source]Press Release, Engadget[/source]
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