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Grasshopper Manufacture sets up joint venture with DeNA to make games exclusively for Mobage

Grasshopper Social Network Service, Inc. revealed

Grasshopper Manufacture sets up joint venture with DeNA to make games exclusively for Mobage
Having already vowed to 'shake up' mobile gaming with the 'bloodiest social game ever' in the form of a Mobage-focused developer collective, Goichi Suda's decision to serve up exclusive titles for the platform doesn't exactly come out the blue.

What we didn't previously know, however, was Grasshopper Manufacture and DeNA had signed a deal that will see a series of exclusive games hitting the platform in the years ahead.

Company capers

Indeed, as part of the deal, Grasshopper and DeNA will form a new company – provisionally dubbed Grasshopper Social Network – that will deliver Grasshopper mobile games to the platform both in Japan and what's currently billed as "other markets".

"Our new venture with DeNA will allow us to explore creative ways to bring Grasshopper Manufacture's universe to a new world of players," said Grasshopper CEO Suda, better known as Suda51.

"Mobage's world-class entertainment network and the power of social mobile games will unlock new types of experiences for our fans."

The new company will officially kick off in November, both parties have revealed, with Grasshopper's existing mobile resources transferred to the firm, while the first game to be released will be a mobile version of No More Heroes.

Global game?

Interestingly, however, the move appears to be one designed to solidfy Mobage's position in Japan, rather than expand its footprint in the west where early reports have suggested it is struggling.

Nonetheless, DeNA director and executive producer Kenji Kobayashi claims Suda51's releases have global appeal.

"We are very excited to expand our Mobage catalog with great games from new genres," said Kobayashi.

"We are especially eager to deliver the creative magic of Suda51 to Mobage users worldwide."

[source: DeNA]

With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.