Did you know that one of the most popular Disney games on
mobile devices is also a free title?
Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved
Disney Tsum Tsum is based on the line of plush toys that
bear the same name. The bean-shaped figures have been very popular with
audiences since the characters first appeared in the Japanese Disney Parks in 2013.
The name Tsum Tsum translates to Stack Stack because the characters are indeed
stackable. The figures sold extremely well in Japan
and it prompted the Disney Company to bring them to the US
as well in 2014.
Since that time the characters have been selling very well
in the parks as well as in Disney Stores. The Japanese developer Line
Corporation created a puzzle game based on the characters. The game debuted in 2014
and has been a popular title with kids and adults.
Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved
How popular is it? More than 10 million players have
downloaded the game for Android devices using Google Play and over 2.7 million
for iOS with the Apple Store.
The game is fairly simple, players look at a bin filled with
Tsum Tsum figures. They use their fingers to "connect" three or more
of the same figures on the screen and take them out of the bin. The game
continuously adds more Tsum Tsum figures onto the screen until it fills up
completely. Different "power ups" can be earned to help players
collect more figures and score higher points.
Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved
Like many of the most popular mobile games this title is
easy to get into and highly addicting. Mobile developers are constantly testing
different revenue streams and Line is using a unique model. The game can be
downloaded for free but if players want to unlock in-game features, such as
upgrades, they can spend real money on those. Some of the purchases can be had
for as little as $1.99 and some for as much as $54.99.
This model seems to work well for other developers and Tsum
Tsum is certainly taking advantage of it. The game has found its niche and
continues to grow. Japanese publisher Konami has introduced a touch screen
version for arcades as well. It's not
know if the arcade version will ever find its way to the US but I have a
feeling that gamers have not seen the last of Tsum Tsum.