This article was published on March 26, 2014

Messaging app Line continues to see gaming growth after hitting 300m game downloads


Messaging app Line continues to see gaming growth after hitting 300m game downloads

Games accounted for 60 percent of the $338 million in revenue that messaging app Line made in its most recent quarter and, in a reminder of the importance of its gaming business, the company announced that users have now downloaded over 300 million Line Game titles.

The Japanese company, which is closing in on 400 million registered users, launched its games platform in 2012 and currently has over 50 titles in the App Store and Google Play. It passed 200 million game downloads as recently as September — so that means it has added a further 100 million in just six months.

While stickers and cute design may be what Line is best known for, games are its cash cow. Most of its gaming activity is believed to come from Japan — though Line doesn’t acknowledge this — and it remains to be seen if smartphone owners in Western markets want games attached directly to their messaging apps.

Update: Our original headline incorrectly said users have downloaded 400 million games, apologies for any confusion.

The 💜 of EU tech

The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!

➤ Line announcement

Get the TNW newsletter

Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.