Tencent Acquires Rights to Develop and Publish Blue Protocol Mobile Edition
Tencent, the Chinese tech giant, has recently acquired the rights to develop and publish the mobile edition of Bandai Namco’s highly anticipated MMO, Blue Protocol. Sources familiar with the matter have revealed that Tencent has already assembled a dedicated development team for this project and holds the global distribution rights. This move by Tencent aligns with their successful track record of translating popular PC and console titles into successful mobile games, such as PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile.
Blue Protocol: A Free-to-Play MMO for Mobile Devices
The PC version of Blue Protocol was released in Japan earlier this year, with an international release planned for 2024 by Amazon Games. Following in the footsteps of successful titles like Honkai: Star Rail and League of Legends, Blue Protocol adopts a free-to-play model with in-game purchases for monetization. This business strategy is particularly well-suited for the mobile platform, making it an ideal choice for Tencent’s expansion into the mobile gaming market. In fact, the game attracted an impressive 600,000 players in its first week, with a peak of 20,000 simultaneous players, making it Bandai Namco’s most successful PC online game release in Japan to date.
Expanding into New Markets: Success in Japan and Beyond
While Japan has historically been a challenging market for mobile game developers, Tencent has already achieved significant success in the country. Tencent’s strategic investments, such as acquiring shares in Fromsoftware, the developer of Elden Ring, have contributed to their foothold in the Japanese market. Furthermore, Tencent has collaborated with Bandai Namco on popular Japanese IPs like Pokémon Unite and Naruto Mobile, demonstrating their commitment to bridging the gap between Japanese and international gaming audiences.
It’s essential to note that Tencent faced some challenges in 2022 due to increased regulations from the Chinese government. As a result, the company has been actively expanding its international presence through acquisitions and investments, such as acquiring a 49.9% stake in Guillemot Bros., the parent company of Ubisoft. These strategic moves highlight Tencent’s determination to diversify its portfolio and capture global opportunities outside of its native market.
Conclusion
Tencent’s recent acquisition of the rights to develop and publish the mobile edition of Blue Protocol demonstrates their ongoing commitment to the gaming industry and their ability to leverage their expertise in mobile game development. By entering the Japanese market and expanding into new territories, Tencent is solidifying its position as a leading global player in the gaming industry.