GCREST USA expansion
Tokyo-based online publisher opens San Francisco office to support English version of TinierMe.
For immediate release
San Francisco, CA – January 14, 2010 – GCREST, an online publisher of several games including casual game @games with over one million players in Asia, today announced the opening of its first office in San Francisco, CA. In addition to its Tokyo-based headquarters, the American office will answer specific demands of US communities and expand its presence in the North American market.
"We are thrilled and really excited to open our first office in San Francisco. Despite the economic downturn we have experienced a strong demand of users to expand our presence in America" said Masaru Ohnogi, VP of global operations.
The strategic location in the "South of Market" area of San Francisco – the heart of games innovation and creativity -- combined with GCREST's many years of experience in online business will enable the company to consolidate, intensify, and broaden the reach to existing and potential customers.
American teens represent over 50% of the overall customer database of TinierMe, their first global free-to-play game portal. The English version was released in open Beta in October and the mission of the US teams will be to further identify cultural similarities and differences, collect ongoing feedback, increase the community of users, and build affiliations with local companies.
"The online game market has already been multifaceted and flooded with a wide range of similar products; therefore it's going to be more difficult to collect millions of users without going global" said Ohnogi. "Providing sophisticated, easy-to access and territory focused services is the backbone of our strategy. We will maximize our strength to entertain as many people as possible worldwide. We're starting with North America because many of our fans are here in the US!"
The office will open officially on February 2010 at 611 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA. GCREST Entertainment will share the office with one of its shareholders CyberAgent America, Inc.
About GCREST
GCREST is a leading online entertainment company based in Japan. GCREST Co. Ltd. was established in 2003 and has created many successful online games including Trickster, @games, and Barvillage. TinierMe, which is also known in Japan as @games, is a game portal owned by GCREST. The game has gathered more than 1 million active users in Japan. TinierMe is a brand new class of online game portal site, with communication functions that make use of a dynamic Flash avatar called a “SELFY.”
About TinierMe:
TinierMe transports players to a web-based Manga and Anime style virtual world where they can pick their own avatar, customize it using a large variety of options, and purchase virtual items to enhance game play. They will experience multiple in-game challenges, meet other people and chat live, enjoy game events, and get rewarded with virtual coins or items. TinierMe appeals to everyone ages 13 and older.
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