Japanese messaging app platform LINE has announced a strategic partnership with game publisher Gumi.

As part of the deal, LINE will invest into Gumi, although the amount hasn't been revealed.

With 490 million users worldwide, LINE will bring more distribution to Gumi's games, while LINE sees the success of Gumi games such as Brave Frontier, Attack of 1942 and Puzzle Bubble as an opportunity for it to grow its reach.

Win-win relationship

"Gumi has found great success in global markets such as the US, Southeast Asia, and Korea, and is a highly valuable partner even among other top tier Japanese mobile developers," said LINE chief strategy and marketing officer Jun Masuda.

"We strongly align with Gumi's appetite for global expansion and their network of studios worldwide, and especially, we support their courageous approach in taking on new market challenges."

Gumi CEO Hironao Kunimitsu added, "LINE has been able to establish one of the world's largest platforms with an extensive user base in both Japan and global markets, and Gumi sees it as the optimal partner to reinforce our business."

The move comes as Gumi rolls out an aggressive expansion program that's seen a $49 million funding round, a hook up with Sega, and investment into French developer Oh Bibi.