Tencent has partnered with e-commerce company JD.com Inc to create a line of merchandise based on the former's mobile games.
As reported by Caixin Global, the deal will see JD creating and selling clothing, accessories, and other products using Tencent-owned logos and IP. This includes its hugely popular mobile MOBA Honor of Kings.
Tencent already owns an 18% stake in JD, and is therefore making use of its existing relationship. It bought up 15% of these shares back in 2014 for around $200 million.
Compementary and accurate
"The plan would be based in Tencent's and JD's platforms and data. It is designed to make complementary and accurate products that can be recommended for our fans and users," said the companies in a joint announcement.
Honor of Kings remains an enormous part of Tencent's business, having helped its revenues in the last quarter hit $8.56 billion. The news that it is coming to Nintendo Switch also possibly caused Nintendo's shares jump to a nine-year high.