LINE launches Disney-themed game app

MANILA, Philippines - LINE Corp., owner and operator of the free call and mobile messaging app LINE, is bringing popular Disney characters to Android and iPhone users in the Philippines with the launch of LINE’s new Disney TsumTsum puzzle.

The popular TsumTsum puzzle, which has been released in 41 regions worldwide, has been developed under the license of Walt Disney Japan that features Disney characters from Mickey Mouse to Winnie the Pooh to spice up your gaming experience.

The Philippines is home to an avid community of mobile gaming enthusiasts. In fact, according to Tech in Asia, about 78 percent of the country’s mobile Internet users downloaded games last year.

In addition, the endearing Disney characters featured in LINE’s TsumTsum will make it a highly anticipated title for Filipino users.

“The Philippines is not far behind its neighboring countries when it comes to mobile Internet usage,” said Greg Kim, head of LINE Philippines. “That is why LINE Corp. eyes the country for further growth, especially now that we recently reached the one-billion-download benchmark.”

In a global scale, the number of worldwide app users for TsumTsum and LINE shows great promise. Kim said, “Who does not love Mickey Mouse and his friends? Young people have a genuine connection with these characters and, at the same time, they remind the adults of their childhood.” 

To date, the TsumTsum and its colorful cast of characters have gained more than 14 million downloads. In fact, it was one of the top downloads in both the Apple App Store and Google Play. This helped LINE extend its service to offline users, while fueling a 40 percent increase in sales.

The new game app’s popularity became evident when it bagged second place in the Games, Toys, and Stationary category of Nikkei Trendy’s “First Half of 2014 Product Popularity Rankings.”

“It’s easy to enjoy this game,” Kim said.  “The looks of the characters are given a unique twist and gameplay is simple yet engaging.”

High scores in TsumTsum are achieved by matching three or more sets of Disney characters or “Tsums” within a span of one minute. The aim is to eliminate as much characters as possible to accumulate more points.

When the player eliminates five or more Tsums in a row, coins will be released; eliminating seven or more will guarantee the player the “Magical Bubble” item that serves as the game’s booster.

“The players can choose from our 29 different characters and enhance their skills to gain special abilities — including the ability to stop time or eliminate Tsums at the center of the screen,” Kim said. “Apart from its offline availability, you can also play TsumTsum with friends and family through online play. This is definitely another way to have fun and reconnect with your loved ones.”