“LINE Conference Tokyo 2014” to present business ventures

TOKYO, JAPAN: LINE, the world’s leading mobile platform with 560 million users, announced the hosting of its LINE Conference Tokyo 2014 at Maihama Amphitheatre to present its current and new business ventures.

The conference included announcements of the newest information and achievements for LINE, including their breakthrough to over 560 million global users, and a newly released figure for the amount of monthly active users (MAU), which has reached 170 million.

LINE also announced its plans for the future, expressing its aim to become more integral to daily life by surpassing the boundaries between online and offline and offering a variety of new services and business ideas under the theme of “Life.”

The details of the announcements made at the conference are written below.


LINE Pay
Planned Release: Winter, 2014
Supported Regions: Global (Credit Card Payment Only)

LINE Pay is a payment system that lets users pay for a variety of services by using the LINE app on their iPhone or Android smartphone, including of course LINE and related services, associated stores, web services, and apps. Payment can be made by linking credit cards, paying at convenience stores, or by adding money beforehand with an account from an associated bank (Mizuho Bank or Sumitomo Bank).

Using LINE’s unique characteristics, users can split the purchase price of goods and services among their LINE friends by using the “Share Payment” feature, or even send money directly to a friend’s bank account without having to input their bank information by using the “Send Money” feature. The “Withdrawal” feature will let users deposit the money sent to them directly into their associated bank account.

Three security measures will be set in place for the service: a separate password from LINE to act as a secondary verification, fingerprint verification via Apple Touch ID (iPhone only) required to view the password, and compulsory smartphone verification to use the PC site. This security system will ensure a safe and secure payment system for users.

Planned for a winter release, payment options will be available first for LINE and related web services and apps, with expansion into offline shops and other venues planned in the future.


LINE GAME
1. Expansion of Game Lineup

LINE’s game distribution platform LINE GAME has been built up around casual games such as LINE: Disney Tsum Tsum and LINE Rangers up until this point, and further aims to expand and succeed as a global platform by diversifying its lineup, finally offering mid-core and core games to audiences.

LINE GAME will bring out the following series of titles starting from autumn 2014. (Alphabetical order)

LINE POP 2 (Puzzle)
LINE Puzzle Trio (Puzzle)
LINE Chronicles of Albion (Strategy RPG)
LINE Legion of Heroes (Strategy RPG)
And more.

2. New companies established with GREE Inc. and Cyber Agent Inc.

The basic groundwork has been laid for the establishment of two new companies, one to be co-funded by GREE Inc. and one to be co-funded by Cyber Agent Inc., in an effort to stimulate the development of global content. Through the establishment of these new companies, LINE will work with its partners to speed up the expansion of their businesses and bring high-quality Japanese gaming content to players around the world.

3. Investment into Translimit Inc. via Game Fund

The first recipient for LINE’s investment fund, LINE Game Global Gateway, established to invest in Japanese game development companies as well as other gaming content, will be Translimit, Inc.. Combining the company’s game development prowess, which has allowed it to achieve global success in over 150 countries—especially in the United States and Asia—with games such as the competitive thinking game “BrainWars”, and LINE’s extensive global user base, they will develop new exciting game content.

LINE GAME will continue to make efforts to strengthen partnerships with third-party content providers, using high quality gaming content developed in Japan to become the world’s No. 1 mobile platform.

Moreover, LINE will continue to improve and increase the level of convenience it offers to its users by developing its services around these new features.