In a significant move, on-the-up social messaging platform LINE and troubled social mobile game platform GREE have set up a joint venture in Japan.

Setting sail

Called Epic Voyage, Inc., it will be staffed by GREE's game development staff and headed by GREE VP Eiji Araki.

However, it will make games that will exclusively be published on LINE GAME, LINE's global games platform.

"GREE is the largest developer of native apps in Japan.

"Their developmental expertise and impressive track record is exactly what LINE GAME needs at this stage, and all of us here at LINE are extremely excited by the opportunity to create a new business venture together," said LINE's chief strategy office Jun Masuda.

"We hope to leverage the strengths of the LINE platform to provide better games than ever to players around the world."