Nintendo is teaming up Japanese mobile gaming company DeNA to develop new smartphone games starring characters and to build a new multi-device online membership service.
According to the today, "Nintendo and DeNA intend to jointly operate new gaming applications featuring Nintendo IP, which they will develop specifically for smart devices." In a Q&A session during a media event today, Nintendo expects at least one release this year and DeNA will cover server side and user analysis. Some titles will be developed by solely by Nintendo, while others will be collaborative projects.
The two companies will together develop a new core platform that will support various platforms including including PCs, smartphones, tablets and Nintendo’s hardware devices. A new multi-device membership service using the software system is slated launch for the northern hemisphere’s fall of 2015. Support will also extend to Nintendo's newly revealed next-generation hardware concept.
The new service will r Club Nintendo. The company announced in January that it will begin a staggered phase out of the customer loyalty program worldwide this year to prepare for a new membership program.
Nintendo President Satoru Iwata has long on smart devices, citing numerous reasons such as releasing key franchises like Mario, Zelda or Pokemon on smartphones may have a negative impact on 3DS sales.
While Iwata was against smartphone games, he has previously shown interest in developing apps to supplement Nintendo's brand. He has previously discussed extending and explained how he wants .
Iwata hinted in an interview last week that the company is developing . At the time, to porting games to smart devices and explained that the company is looking "to develop products that will allow customers to identify with Nintendo products and make people pay attention to Nintendo games."
Nintendo experimented with smartphone game-related content earlier this year. The company announced a partnership with GungHo Online Entertainment to give fans Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition, a Super Mario Bros. and popular mobile puzzle game Puzzle & Dragons mash-up for the Nintendo 3DS.
