Nintendo and DeNA's third mobile game Fire Emblem Heroes has launched on iOS and Android.
The game is a turn-based strategy RPG that sees players battling with characters from across the history of Fire Emblem. It's a traditional free-to-play title, in contrast to Super Mario Run's free-to-start monetisation.
Fire Emblem Heroes monetises through the premium currency of Orbs. These are used to summon heroes in the game's gacha mechanic and to boost XP through castle improvements.
A piece of the pie
The shift in monetisation is seen as a move to target the Japan market first and foremost. Contributing Editor Jon Jordan believes Nintendo is trying to gain a foothold in the highly lucrative market with hopes to remain there for years to come.
Our Mobile Mavens had similar thoughts, though the majority suggested that co-developer DeNA had a bigger hand in implementing the monetisation of Fire Emblem Heroes which led to its traditional free-to-play model.
Super Mario Run has generated $39 million in revenues so far having only launched on iOS. If Fire Emblem Heroes receives traction, it could easily bypass this figure in a matter of weeks.