Nintendo Releasing First Ever Mobile Game

In an effort to remake itself, Japan-based video game giant Nintendo is finally going mobile. In its recent announcement, the company will launch its first game app called Miitomo for Android and iOS smartphone and tablets.

What is Miitomo?

Nintendo's first mobile game app is more of chat app than a game. It is in line with the company's family-oriented approach to gaming experience. This game immerses users into a social experience with Miis- an avatar in a number of Nintendo games that fans are already familiar with.

"Users will be able to interact with their friends in an entirely new way that transforms communication into a form of play," said Nintendo of America's head of sales and marketing Scott Moffitt in an official statement as quoted by USA Today.

The game app is expected to arrive in the US around March but with no definite release date as of this time. According to a report by PC Mag, interested users can pre-register for an account service starting 7 February using an email, social media account, or existing Nintendo Network ID. To encourage more early signups, the company is offering "a special Miitomo bonus" for those who registers from 7 February up until the official launch date.

Why is Nintendo's Mobile Entry Important?

For a long time, Nintendo has been significantly left behind in the gaming trend. Basically, there's a lot of catching up to do such as integrating cloud services into the fabric of 21st century gaming experience that is increasingly mobile.

Then there's the slumping of profits which makes Nintendo stocks really unimpressive or hardly interesting at all. Earnings report for the third fiscal quarter posted a 36% decline as mentioned by The Wall Street Journal.

Nintendo top brass is hoping to reinvigorate a long-lost enthusiasm at a time when most tech savvy people are increasingly drawn towards internet mobility