Pokémon Unite’s ambitious cross-platform play is Tencent’s chance to conquer console games, say analysts
- Mostly known as a mobile game developer, Tencent has been eyeing the console market in recent years as growth in the mobile sector slows
- The worldwide gaming market is forecast to grow 9.3 per cent this year to reach US$159 billion, according to market researcher Newzoo
Tencent Holdings and Pokémon Company have unveiled a jointly-developed battle game for smartphones and the Nintendo Switch in a move seen by analysts as an opportunity for the Chinese tech giant to expand its leadership in mobile gaming to consoles.
Without disclosing a release date, the two companies said Pokémon Unite would be a free-to-play, online multiplayer title in which participants compete in five-versus-five battles with Pokémon creatures. During an online press conference on Wednesday, the companies demonstrated how the game can let Switch owners and mobile gamers battle one another.
Pokémon Unite reflects Tencent’s ambitious goal of bridging the gap between mobile and console gaming, which offer distinctly different user experiences. Daniel Ahmad, senior analyst at Niko Partners, said the tie up is an opportunity for Tencent to go after both mobile and console gamers with what it does best: five-versus-five battle games such as Honor of Kings, its biggest success to date.
“[Tencent’s] experience with battle games will be important for the 5v5 team battle experience anticipated in Pokémon Unite,” Ahmad said. “Pokémon is one of the largest IPs in the world and if this game is executed correctly it could become a hit among both existing and new fans on Switch and mobile,” Ahmad said.
Liao Xuhua, gaming analyst at Beijing-based Analysys International, said that cross-platform play will be a focus of Tencent’s gaming strategy in the foreseeable future as mobile gaming alone can no longer meet its growth target.