Nintendo Co. Ltd. is seeking new partnerships with software developers to strengthen its smartphone games lineup, people familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal.
The Japanese gaming giant's recent move was prompted by the current status of its collaboration with DeNA Co. Ltd., according to the report.
The two companies had planned to introduce five smartphone games by March 2017, but the alliance has fallen behind schedule, producing only four so far. The latest game, "Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp," was released in November.
Nintendo wants to pick up the pace of producing new titles through new tie-ups but is not planning on acquiring stakes in its would-be partners, the sources reportedly said.
Meanwhile, analysts reportedly expect Nintendo to team up with Tencent Holdings Ltd. on mobile games in China. Nintendo previously announced that Tencent's popular game "Honor of Kings" will be available for the Switch. The Nintendo-DeNA tie-up has not released smartphone games in China yet, the report said, adding that plans are proceeding, but on separate paths.
Nintendo has held talks with Tokyo-based GungHo Online Entertainment Inc., according to the sources, but a GungHo spokesperson denied it.
