Major Events in Gaming Industry on August 23, 2017

Nintendo's New Entry into Mobile Market: Super Mario Run Hits Sales Milestone

Nintendo’s mobile game Super Mario Run reached another sales milestone, marking its success as a significant entry into the mobile gaming market. Launched in December 2016, this app quickly gained popularity among both casual and hardcore gamers for its simple yet engaging gameplay that captures the essence of classic Super Mario games while adapting to touch controls.

Nintendo announced on August 23rd that Super Mario Run had surpassed 40 million downloads worldwide. This achievement is particularly noteworthy given Nintendo’s traditionally strong presence in console gaming, making it clear that the company's foray into mobile has been well-received by a broader audience.

Sony PlayStation Adds New Titles to PS Plus Collection

On the same day, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) announced updates to its PlayStation Plus service. The announcement included several new titles being added to the monthly rotation for subscribers of the premium gaming service. Among them were popular games like Infamous: Second Son, a superhero-themed game known for its open-world gameplay and engaging storyline, and The Witness, an intricate puzzle-solving adventure that has gained critical acclaim.

These additions reflect Sony’s ongoing commitment to offering diverse and high-quality content to keep subscribers engaged with their PlayStation network. The move also suggests a strategic effort by SIE to attract new subscribers through the inclusion of critically acclaimed titles not available on other platforms.

Blizzard Expands World of Warcraft Universe with New Digital Comic

Blizzard Entertainment announced the launch of its latest digital comic series, "World of Warcraft: War Crimes." This six-issue mini-series aims to expand the universe of the massively popular MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game), offering fans a deeper look into the lore and characters that populate Azeroth.

The announcement was made during the company’s quarterly earnings call, where Blizzard also highlighted its focus on storytelling across multiple media formats. The digital comic is available through ComiXology, allowing readers to access it digitally or in print form with a subscription to ComiXology Unlimited.

Brief Outlook

These events signal continued innovation and expansion within the gaming industry as companies like Nintendo, Sony, and Blizzard seek to diversify their offerings across multiple platforms. The success of Super Mario Run highlights the potential for traditional console developers to thrive in mobile markets, while Sony’s additions to PlayStation Plus underscore the importance of content variety for maintaining subscriber loyalty.

Blizzard’s digital comic launch is a strategic move towards leveraging its rich lore in new media formats, an approach that could prove influential as more companies look beyond games to engage their fan bases. As we continue into the latter half of 2017, it will be interesting to see how these strategies evolve and impact the gaming landscape further.