SAN FRANCISCO & TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SEGA Networks Co., Ltd. and gumi Inc. (gumi) today announced a partnership to distribute SEGA Networks’ Japanese game titles in North America, Europe, South Asia and other territories. Gamers can expect the first of these titles later this year with the launch of the popular Japanese RPG Chain Chronicle. Both companies are collaborating in order to provide localized support for player preferences, languages and gameplay environments.
SEGA Networks was established in July 2012 to distribute mobile games based on SEGA’s legendary franchises as well as those based on new intellectual property. Recent hits include the puzzle-RPG Puyo Puyo!! Quest, which reached more than 10 million downloads in Japan, and Chain Chronicle, which has remained in the Top Grossing category on the App Store and Google Play. Chain Chronicle allows gamers to become a soldier who builds an army and fights to protect the imaginary land of “Yugdo” from the menacing Black Army. As the game advances, players begin to unravel each member’s story to create a long chain of chronicles where all are connected.
gumi’s subsidiary Alim Co., Ltd. launched the hit title Brave Frontier for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android smartphones and tablets in 55 countries including North America, Europe, Japan and South Asia, demonstrating that Japanese-developed content can achieve success on a global scale.
“The alliance and capital investment in gumi will lead to more of our popular Japanese games making the leap to markets around the globe, starting with one of our biggest hits, Chain Chronicle,” said Haruki Satomi, CEO of SEGA Networks. “The publishing experience and support that gumi can provide for this genre of games has already been proven with the success of Brave Frontier and we’re confident in their ability to execute.”
Earlier this week, gumi issued an additional amount of external shares, of which SEGA Networks acquired a share. With this additional funding, gumi will continue to grow their divisions responsible for developing and publishing mobile titles worldwide.
“SEGA Networks provides some of the most enjoyable and well-known entertainment experiences to people throughout the world. We are privileged and thrilled to build a robust strategic partnership that will advance gumi’s overseas operations and global publishing business to the next level,” said Hironao Kunimitsu, CEO of gumi Inc.
About SEGA Networks Co., Ltd.
SEGA Networks Co., Ltd. was established in July 2012 as a division of Tokyo-based SEGA Corporation, focused on publishing games for mobile and tablet devices based on SEGA’s most iconic brands in addition to the development of new intellectual property. SEGA Networks quickly rose to prominence as one of Japan’s premier mobile game publishers with hit titles that include Puyo Puyo!! Quest, which has thus far achieved over 10 million downloads, and Chain Chronicle, which has maintained top ranking on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. For more information, please visit http://sega-net.com/.
About gumi Inc.
Established on June 13th, 2007, gumi Inc. is a top developer and operator of mobile online games, and has distributed more than 40 titles on various platforms including many hit games starting with 任侠道 (Ninkyodo) in 2011. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, the company has been growing its presence globally since 2012, with overseas operations in Asia in Singapore, Korea, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, and the Philippines, and in Western countries in the U.S. and France. Many of gumi’s games such as Brave Frontier, created by its subsidiary Alim Co. Ltd., have been published worldwide where they have received top reviews and achieved top sales rankings. From this point forward, gumi aims to become number one in the mobile entertainment content industry by offering a nonstop stream of quality content for all to enjoy. For more information on gumi Inc., please visit http://gu3.co.jp/en/.
