At the 3GSM World Summit in Barcelona, the Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) today announced the pan-European launch of a mobile version of the well-known Tamagotchi game. Living Mobile, a wholly-owned subsidiary of WDIG, is distributing the game to 28 of the leading mobile telecom operators in 17 European countries.
The launch in 1996 of the original portable LCD Tamagotchi* game by Bandai Co., Ltd created a global craze, selling 40 million copies worldwide. The Tamagotchi Connection series was released in 2004 and has already sold 17 million copies to date, demonstrating the lasting appeal of the game.
"Bandai is delighted to be working together with Living Mobile and the Walt Disney Internet Group to bring the Tamagotchi game to mobile users across Europe," said Michal Degremont, mobile project manager, Bandai S.A.. "We have been particularly impressed with their technical expertise as well as the breadth and depth of their carrier relationships, so feel confident this launch will be a success."
"We are excited to become part of the Tamagotchi success story and look forward to continuing to work with Bandai to bring compelling new mobile games to market in Europe," concluded Sunil Gunderia, vice president of mobile for the Walt Disney Internet Group Europe.
The mobile version of the Tamagotchi game is based on the original, with added features including:
- full colour animation
- two game levels
- a sleep period skip function - allowing users to raise their pets
- on a time scale similar to the original Tamagotchi
- 'Tama facts' – the ability for users to view their collection of Tamagotchis acquired and browse an illustrated guide
- 'Journal' – allowing users to browse the history of the pets they have raised
(*) "Tamagotchi" and "Tamagotchi Connection (Connexion)" were developed in a joint effort between Bandai Co., Ltd. and WiZ Co., Ltd.
