By Dr. Serkan Toto – On Japan's Game Industry
DeNA has, for the first time, bought a company in Europe. Amsterdam-based Rough Cookie, a social games maker DeNA’s ngmoco has been collaborating with since 2008, was acquired through an all-cash deal today. Rough Cookie follows the acquisitions of Icebreaker, Astro Ape, Gameview, and ngmoco...
The earthquake that hit Japan on March 11 hit Japan’s web industry in different ways. Kakaku.com says that they suffered badly in the days after the quake (-30% daily users for Kakaku itself, and even -40% for restaurant service Tabelog) but saw a quick recovery as far as traffic is concerned...
Tokyo-based Genki has announced “Gang Warz” for Mobage for Smartphone, a social game for Android that looks much like a shameless clone of Grand Theft Auto. In the game, players take on the role of a street gang member whose gang battles it out with other Mobage players and who has to...
One of Japan’s most popular online restaurant services, Gourmet Navigator (English website), has announced it landed a significant distribution deal with NTT Docomo. Starting in June, Japan’s biggest mobile carrier will pre-install a dedicated Gourmet Navigator application on...
Japan’s largest price comparison service Kakaku.com has posted its financial results for the last quarter of fiscal 2010 (January to March 2011). Sales, profit, and income have all grown by around 30% year-on-year, driven especially by Kakaku itself and the increasing popularity of restaurant...
Facebook Japan, now with a 3.2 million user base, has closed a nice distribution deal today. KDDI au, Japan’s No. 2 mobile carrier, has announced it will feature Facebook prominently on (almost) all future smartphones from the company (I actually expected this announcement to be made by...
By Dr. Serkan Toto – On Japan's Game Industry