Pokémon Unite’s ambitious cross-platform play is Tencent’s chance to conquer console games, say analysts

‘Pokémon Unite’ reflects Tencent’s ambitious goal of bridging the gap between mobile and console gaming, which offer distinctly different user experiences. Mostly known as a mobile game developer, Tencent has been eyeing the console market in recent years as growth in the mobile sector slows. The worldwide gaming market is forecast to grow 9.3% this year to reach US$159bil, according to market researcher Newzoo. — SCMP

Tencent Holdings and Pokémon Company have unveiled a jointly-developed battle game for smartphones and the Nintendo Switch in a move seen by analysts as an opportunity for the Chinese tech giant to expand its leadership in mobile gaming to consoles.

Without disclosing a release date, the two companies said Pokémon Unite would be a free-to-play, online multiplayer title in which participants compete in five-versus-five battles with Pokémon creatures. During an online press conference on Wednesday, the companies demonstrated how the game can let Switch owners and mobile gamers battle one another.