DeNA’s Mobage Platform Launches Overseas

DeNA’s Mobage platform, which some of our longtime readers are probably familiar with, is now live in regions outside of Japan. The mobile phone-based social games platform is now running on Android phones in English-speaking territories worldwide, along with China.

DeNA and subsidiary Ngmoco have plans to expand the platform to other territories “soon”. Mobage has a userbase of about 30 million in Japan with its fair share of popular games, including titles like Monster Hunter Diary Mobile. It’s also host to games from other well-known franchises, such as Shenmue Town and Persona 3 Social.

Recently in Japan, DeNA signed on major Japanese developers such as Comcept founder, Keiji Inafune, Suda 51, and Prope’s Yuji Naka to develop games for the service. The only recent Japanese game that’s been confirmed for a worldwide release on Mobage so far, however, is Professor Layton Royale.

Overseas, developers like Backflip Studios, Playforge and Ngmoco themselves will be supporting the service. Games on Mobage can be monetized through both the sales of virtual goods and advertising. DeNA say there are more than 100 games in development for the platform.