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Chat happy: LINE passes 300 million global users

Firm wants 500 million in 2014

Chat happy: LINE passes 300 million global users

Japanese messaging app LINE has amassed a total of 300 million registered users across the globe according to the company's internal figures.

The firm, which had previously announced that it hoped to reach 300 million users by the end of 2013, is now looking to hit 500 million by the end of 2014.

Indonesian expansion

Reacting to the news, company president Akira Morikawa attributed the growth to the firm's decision to expand LINE beyond a 'mere communication tool' into a social gaming platform.

Indeed, LINE has also cited recent success in Indonesia, with 14 million active users across the country now on board.

LINE'S global growth

In order to build on that success, LINE hopes to open a physical store in the country with the intention of selling Line merchandise and accessories in time for Christmas.

The move will also provide a crucial marketing boost as the company looks to set itself apart from the stiff competition it faces in Indonesia from rivals such as WhatsApp, and WeChat.

[source: LINE (in Japanese)]

What do you call someone who has an unhealthy obsession with video games and Sean Bean? That'd be a 'Chris Kerr'. Chris is one of those deluded souls who actually believes that one day Sean Bean will survive a movie. Poor guy.