Nintendo is about to launch their next major mobile game, "Super Mario Run," following the success of both "Miitomo" and the Niantic Labs-developed "Pokémon GO." However, given that this is their first mobile game featuring their main mascot, Nintendo aims to make the game just as popular as "Pokémon GO" or even beyond that level of success.
Speaking to Bloomberg (via Gamespot), Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima explained that the success "Pokemon Go" has enjoyed has become the company's driving point for their next mobile effort. Kirishima points out that this is not just a meaningless goal as he confirms over 20 million people have already subscribed to receive notifications and updates regarding the game.
"There's no doubt that more people are using smartphones to play games," Kimishima explained in the interview. "And as this time we're using Mario, that's a very important intellectual property for us. And that's what Miyamoto's team is working on now: making sure it spreads out just as quickly as 'Pokemon Go.'"
It should also be pointed out that one of the means the game will reach that level of success is to ensure gamers can play it for free. He explains that the game is entirely free to download and gamers can play a portion of it. The only time they'll have to pay is when players want to access the full game. They will never be prompted again to pay more.
This means the game can be tried for free and those who enjoy it can buy the full game. Kirishima explains that the one-time purchase is a guarantee for parents since children can now play it over and over without the risk of accidentally triggering micro-transactions.
No official release date has been announced, but it is scheduled to launch in December for iOS. Android devices will get the game sometime in 2017. Kirishima also confirmed that when it launches, it will be made available in 150 different countries.
