Tencent’s TiMi Studio Group will team up with Nintendo-backed Pokémon Co. to develop a new Pokémon game, according to a statement Tencent posted on its official Weibo account for games on Monday.
Screenshot of Tencent’s announcement on its official Weibo account on July 22, 2019. (Image credit: TechNode)
Why it matters: The collaboration allows The Pokémon Company access to the world’s second-largest gaming market by revenue. It could also help Tencent catch up with NetEase, which is taking the lead in distributing Pokémon games by securing a partnership with The Pokémon Company and Gamefreak in May to release “Pokémon Quest,” the first official Pokémon game in China.
- In April, Tencent launched a lookalike of hit mobile title “Pokémon Go” in China, called “Let’s Hunt Monsters.” The app has been ranking among the 30 highest-grossing apps in China since its release, according to analytics firm Sensor Tower.
Details: Tencent’s Weibo post did not include any specifics about the game. A Tencent spokesperson also told TechNode that he is unable to disclose any details since the new title is still in the early stages of development.
- Tencent on Tuesday posted job openings for a creative director and a game producer “for an upcoming game based on a beloved global entertainment brand” at TiMi Studio Group on LinkedIn.
- Both positions are based in the greater Los Angeles Area and emphasized that the project it was hiring for involves work on “world-class IP.” Key requirements for the positions include more than 10 years of relevant experience and “deep knowledge and strong passion for Pokémon IP.”
Context: Pokémon has proved to be a highly profitable series, with titles like “Pokémon Go” grossing $2.65 billion worldwide since its launch in 2016. The movie “Detective Pikachu,” featuring the most widely known Pokémon, brought in $70.3 million in ticket sales in China in fewer than 10 days.
- “Pokémon Go” was never officially brought to China, and even when it is downloaded, it is unplayable in the country.
