Yahoo Japan has created a new system for game playing that doesn’t require the downloading of apps or game software.
Game Plus offers titles through cloud streaming and those built on HTML5. Yahoo Japan is partnering with 52 game publishers including Square Enix Holdings Co. and Koei Tecmo Holdings Co. to offer new titles and re-releases of console games like Final Fantasy X.
The company joins Facebook Inc., Tencent Holdings Ltd., and Rakuten Inc. in offering web-based games, which allow smartphone and desktop users to play without downloading apps or software.
“Until now games were held back by hardware, but now through the web you can play freely anytime and anywhere you want,” Yahoo Japan Chief Operating Officer Kentaro Kawabe said at a press briefing.
Game Plus will offer free-to-play games with in-game purchases and some that require a onetime up-front payment.
