Indeed, according to external producer Gareth Mills, both expanding Moshi Monsters' userbase and taking on new mobile staff are just part of a greater move by the developer on the smartphone scene.
We caught up with Mills to ask what GREE can do for Moshi Monsters, and what Moshi Monsters can do for GREE.
Pocket Gamer: How did the partnership with GREE come about?
Gareth Mills: Mobile is a hugely important area for expansion within the business. We have been looking in to various partnerships for some time now and were delighted to partner with GREE.
You're starting with two titles - is it likely there will be more to follow?
We are focusing on the first two titles at the moment, we want to do the best job we possibly can with them and will go from there on further developments.
Moshi Monsters' online world already has more than 65 million registered users. What new consumers can GREE's mobile base take the franchise to?
The GREE platform will open up our brand to a different audience in the far east.
The two GREE games will also be designed to appeal to a much broader - and slightly older - audience than the online game does, opening up the demographic of our user base.
Moshi Monsters continues to do big business for Mind Candy
Our partnership will also help expand upon Moshi Monster's cross-continent success, as the plan is to produce localised mobile games in multiple languages, including English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin and more.
You're in the process of hunting for new mobile staff a designer and developer. Is this part of a wider push on mobile?
Massively. We are actively seeking many roles for the rapid growth of our internal team.
What are the differences between social gaming on mobile and online platforms?
Our research tells us that users are doing both.
I don't think the platform necessarily changes the essence of a social game, it just enhances the experience of the user in the environment in which they choose to play it.
A strong game will perform well across mobile and online.
Said job postings mention the prospect of developing new IP. Is Mind Candy open to targeting a completely different audience to that of Moshi Monsters?
We are most certainly looking to branch out in to new IP to expand the business and open up a wider audience.
Our key focus will be on kids and family friendly entertainment with digital at its heart.
Thanks to Gareth for his time.
You can find more info on Mind Candy's new mobile positions on the PocketGamer.biz jobs board.
