Pokemon Go will no doubt go down as one of the industry’s biggest success stories of 2016.
Since its launch, Nintendo’s über-popular AR title has ostensibly reigned supreme across iOS and Android download charts, with Sony CEO Kaz Hirai even going so far as to say that such a landmark success has prompted Sony to step up its presence in the mobile space. However, a new report from Bloomberg reveals that Sony is enjoying greater success in its native country of Japan, where fantasy mobile game Fate/Grand Order has dethroned Pokemon Go.
Citing figures published by research analyst App Annie, Bloomberg’s report claims Fate/Grand Order has now pulled in more revenue among Android users than its closest competitor 104 out of 133 days this year, and 51 days on iOS devices. What’s more, the time-travelling mobile hit has remained perched at the top of Japanese app revenue rankings for much of 2016, amassing 7 million downloads in the process. As a result, Fate/Grand Order has “helped to lift Sony Music’s operating profit by 23 percent to 16.5 billion yen,” lending Sony the impetus to “expand its mobile games effort with more titles in more markets in the coming months.”
[Source: Bloomberg]
