Namco releases Valentine’s Day update to Rolling with Katamari

Although the new level is only available to US mobile users, Namco is to release a Valentine’s Day specific update to its hit mobile title, Rolling With Katamari.

This holiday-themed add-on brings flowers, love hearts, toys and chocolates to the popular, if surreal, ball-rolling game in time for the romantic celebrations this weekend.

"The great thing about mobile games is that content can be added at anytime via the carriers' networks," says Namco’s senior vice president of sales and marketing Scott Rubin. "This new Valentine's Day-themed level is packed with unexpected tokens of affection to roll up, adding to the fun of the game."

Despite the rather sappy content, this is actually an interesting turn for mobile gaming distribution. It’s become an expected aspect of iPhone gaming to receive updates to games on a regular basis, but this introduction of an upgrade system to the mobile marketing model is quite unusual.

Whether it’s a one time gesture on Namco’s part or the beginnings of a concerted effort to bring mobile gaming back in line with the likes of the App Store, it’s hard to say.

Either way, this is a concept that could really give the mobile industry the boost as the shadow of a host of new smartphones looms.