Nintendo announced on February 3, Wednesday that its first smartphone game entitled Miitomo featuring its "Mii" avatar characters will launch worldwide for iOS and Android mobile devices in March. The world's largest video game company will also roll out its online rewards program called "My Nintendo" at that time.
The new smartphone app is a "social experience." It allows people to interact with friends and relatives in funny and surprising ways.
For example, the app might ask what a person would do if they saw a long hair in their friend's nose. The mobile game would then share answers with people in their social circles.
The new Nintendo game will include many other conversation starters. They include whether people believe in aliens, or a song that has been stuck in their head recently, according to PC Mag.
Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima gave a briefing for investors on Wednesday. He explained that the Mii characters in Miitomo give people a chance for friends to talk about topics that normally would not be brought up during a conversation, according to Wired. The Mii characters first appeared on the Wii game console.
Gamers in the West can pre-register for the Nintendo Account service on February 17, which is already available in Japan. This will also sign up people for the My Nintendo customer loyalty program, which is replacing "Club Nintendo."
People can use various methods for early registration of Nintendo Account. They include an existing email account, social media account, or Nintendo Network ID.
Enrolling in Nintendo Account will also provide gamers with a "bonus" when Miitomo launches. However, the prize is still a mystery.
The gaming giant also gave some general info about My Nintendo. Customers will get two types of "points" when they use Nintendo products, which they can redeem for various items.
Nintendo fans can earn Platinum Points by interacting with different Nintendo products. That could involve playing Mario games on a Wii U video game console, or trying out Miitomo on an Apple or Google smartphone.
Gamers can then redeem racked up points for various "digital content." Some examples include in-game items, wallpapers, and themes.
Nintendo hopes to roll out five mobile games by March 2017.
Here are details about Mii March 2016 celebration: