Tencent Works on Mobile Version of “Elden Ring” Amidst Challenges

The Chinese gaming giant Tencent Holdings, known as the world’s highest-grossing gaming company, is currently working on a mobile adaptation of the popular action RPG game “Elden Ring.” This project takes place after Tencent obtained the rights to create the mobile version of the game from FromSoftware in 2022. While the PC and console versions of the game were published by Bandai Namco.

According to insider sources cited by Reuters, Tencent has formed a team of talented developers to create a prototype of the mobile game. However, the development process has faced various challenges, leading to slower progress.

Originally launched as a premium console game two years ago, “Elden Ring” quickly gained immense popularity within the gaming community. With around 20 million copies sold within its first year, the game became a worldwide sensation and was the second best-selling game of 2022. Esteemed author George R.R. Martin, known for “Game of Thrones,” and veteran game designer Hidetaka Miyazaki were involved in the creation of this captivating fantasy world, where players confront mythical creatures.

For the mobile version of “Elden Ring,” Tencent plans to transform the game into a free-to-play experience with optional in-app purchases, drawing inspiration from the successful model established by “Genshin Impact” by miHoYo. However, this approach contradicts the initial design concept of “Elden Ring” as a complete gaming experience available through a one-time purchase. In the past, Tencent has encountered difficulties in adapting major console franchises into successful smartphone games due to challenges in monetization. An example of this is the cancellation of a “Nier” series project in December 2023.

As the growth of the gaming market gradually slows down, Tencent has adopted a more cautious strategy when acquiring renowned franchises. The company is concerned about substantial royalty fees potentially impacting profitability, particularly in light of China’s new game approval system, which may result in uncertainties and delays before game releases. Tencent’s chairman has expressed the urgent need for a new hit as the company’s gaming revenues face increasing threats. Nevertheless, older successful titles such as “PUBG Mobile” continue to generate profits, even though recent releases have failed to meet expectations.

FAQ:

Q: What is Tencent Holdings?
A: Tencent Holdings is a Chinese gaming company and the world’s highest-grossing gaming company.

Q: What is Elden Ring?
A: Elden Ring is a popular action RPG game created by FromSoftware, initially released on consoles and PC.

Q: Who published the PC and console versions of Elden Ring?
A: Bandai Namco published the PC and console versions of Elden Ring.

Q: What is a mobile version?
A: A mobile version refers to a version of the game that is available on smartphones and tablets.

Q: What is an action RPG?
A: An action RPG is a genre of video game where the action is fluid and dynamic, and players control a character who completes various quests and battles.

Sources:
– Official website of Tencent Holdings: https://www.tencent.com
– Official website of the Elden Ring game: https://www.eldenring.com
– Official website of Bandai Namco: https://www.bandainamcoent.com

The source of the article is from the blog lokale-komercyjne.pl