Crunchyroll, the popular anime streaming service, is expanding its offerings by diving into the world of gaming. This move follows in the footsteps of Netflix, which has been making a significant push into the gaming industry. Crunchyroll’s new feature, called the Crunchyroll Game Vault, is set to launch today, marking its entrance into the mobile gaming market.
The Crunchyroll Game Vault will be available for free to subscribers of the Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan tiers of Crunchyroll. These are the higher-cost tiers offered by the streaming service. At launch, the Game Vault will feature five titles, including Captain Velvet: The Jump+ Dimensions, River City Girls, Wolfstride, Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery, and Inbento. Similar to the approach taken by Netflix and Apple Arcade, the games in the Crunchyroll Game Vault will be free and devoid of in-app purchases.
While many gaming subscription services offer a wide variety of games, Crunchyroll’s Game Vault will be more focused, catering specifically to fans of anime and anime-inspired entertainment. The company has stated that it will feature “premium mobile games” tailored to this specific audience. Additionally, although there are only five games available at launch, Crunchyroll has promised continuous additions to the lineup, with a whole new wave of titles coming soon.
The addition of the Game Vault seems to be a strategic move to enhance Crunchyroll’s appeal to its subscriber base. For now, the gaming offering represents a complimentary bonus, similar to the digital manga included in the service’s higher tiers.
Related Post
Notably, the announcement of the Crunchyroll Game Vault comes on the heels of another significant development for the company. Just a day prior, Crunchyroll unveiled a partnership with Walmart. This partnership will see Crunchyroll-branded “fan shops” appear in 2,400 retail locations across the United States. These fan shops will offer various products, including Blu-ray collections, vinyl records, and physical subscription cards, catering to the anime fandom.
The expansion into gaming and the strategic partnership with a major retail chain represent a concerted effort by Crunchyroll to further solidify its presence in the entertainment industry. By diversifying its offerings and establishing a physical retail presence, Crunchyroll is working to enhance its value proposition to both existing and potential subscribers.
As Crunchyroll continues to evolve and expand its scope, it will be interesting to see how the company’s foray into gaming and its retail partnership will shape the future of the anime streaming service. With the launch of the Crunchyroll Game Vault and the introduction of Crunchyroll fan shops in Walmart locations, the company is positioning itself to offer a comprehensive and immersive experience for anime enthusiasts. Time will tell how these strategic moves will impact Crunchyroll’s standing in the highly competitive landscape of digital entertainment.
