Sega signs deal to bring Japanese mobile games to the West

Tokyo-based Gumi, one of the larger mobile social game developers and publishers in Asia, has cut a deal with Sega Networks to distribute Sega's mobile titles outside of Japan -- starting with the remarkably successful free-to-play mobile RPG Chain Chronicle. Sega Sammy saw remarkable sales from Chain Chronicle and other Sega Networks mobile games last year, driving the company to announce that it was pouring more resources into developing and promoting free-to-play digital games -- including multiple Chain Chronicle titles -- in its most recent financial report. Sega recently purchased stock in Gumi as part of the partnership, which will see Sega Networks games launching in new markets like Europe, North America and South Asia later this year. "The alliance and capital investment in Gumi will lead to more of our popular Japanese games making the leap to markets around the globe, starting with one of our biggest hits, Chain Chronicle,” stated Sega Networks CEO Haruki Satomi in a press release announcing the deal.