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A report by the news agency Reuters cites three unnamed sources familiar with the matter to claim that Tencent has assembled a team of several developers to work on a mobile prototype.However, the progress in the development has been slow, the report adds.
Elden Ring was released two years ago and was originally designed as a premium $60 console game. In 2022, the game managed to sell about 20 million copies within the first year. This helped the game to become the world’s second-best-selling game of that year.
The game was co-developed by “Game of Thrones” author George R. R. Martin and veteran game designer Hidetaka Miyazaki. In this action game, players have to battle mythical monsters in a fantasy world.
Tencent’s plans for Elden Rings mobile version
For the mobile version, Tencent aims to adapt “Elden Ring” into a free-to-play game with in-app purchases, similar to miHoYo’s hit title “Genshin Impact.” However, the design of “Elden Ring” as a complete experience after a one-time purchase clashes with Tencent’s planned free-to-play model.
Earlier, Tencent struggled to successfully adapt major console franchises into money-making smartphone games. For example, in December 2023, the company scrapped a project based on the popular “Nier” series over monetisation concerns.
As the growth in the gaming market slows down, Tencent has become more conservative about taking on big-name franchises. The company is concerned that substantial royalty fees can leave these games barely profitable.
China’s new approval system may also lead to long uncertain delays before the game is released. As Tencent’s gaming revenues face mounting threats, it is urgently looking for a new hit, the company’s chairman added.
Meanwhile, older hit titles like “PUBG Mobile” continue to earn for the company, but more recent titles have underperformed expectations.
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