With the games category of the Korean App Store finally open, it's all systems go for the big Korean mobile game publishers to make their portfolio available to their domestic audience.
One such is Com2uS, which launched its paid games at a sale price of 99c to ensure early chart traction.
We caught up with its PR manager Lydia Heitman to gauge the reaction.
Pocket Gamer: Why do you think the games section has been allowed in Korea now?
Lydia Heitman: Developers have long been pushing for iTunes to open a Games section, and although it took awhile, the success of the global mobile markets and the worldwide shift in attitude towards mobile entertainment is finally being recognised.
In addition, the advantages of having a mobile game market, especially with the iPhone 4S, is apparent now. South Korea is getting the iPhone 4S this month as well, so we think it's a perfect time for the device and for the Korean games market to join up.
What impact do you think it will have for the Korean mobile games market?
Already, there has been a huge, positive response from users. We believe we still must operate with an international perspective in the mobile market, but it does make it easier for us to distribute our games - most of which have a large following in Korea - to a market that knows and loves them already.
This also might spark more independent developers who can target the Korean market, which has a strong and long history with gaming. We'll probably see a lot of hardcore games and new projects that will hopefully show Korea's game talent off more to the world.
What impact do you think it will have for Com2uS?
Com2uS has over a decade of history with mobile games in South Korea. Our games from the time of Java and feature phones are well known, and up until now we haven't had a chance to bring them to a native App Store.
Being able to distribute and work those IPs and let users download them on the iTunes App Store will be great for our brand image in Korea and also great for users who love our games.
It's something we've been hoping for for awhile, and it's finally here. We're excited.
Thanks to Lydia for her time.
Interview
Contributing Editor
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon is Contributing Editor at PG.biz which means he acts like a slightly confused uncle who's forgotten where he's left his glasses. As well as letters and cameras, he likes imaginary numbers and legumes.
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