Few musical acts have experienced the incredible level of success that K-Pop stars BTS have enjoyed in the last few years.
The boyband has broken a host of records and achieved many milestones, with HelloKPop.com earlier this year reporting on how they are now the best-selling artists in South Korea’s history. Furthermore, in April 2019 they also became the first Korean musical guest to appear on NBC’s renowned Saturday Night Live.
Now, however, they are preparing for a return to the world of mobile gaming, with fresh details emerging about a new release in recent weeks.
Pre-registration opens
Korea-based developer and publisher Netmarble has confirmed that pre-registration opened worldwide in the middle of August for BTS Universe Story. Described in the press release as an “interactive mobile storytelling platform”, the app will give players the chance to explore stories based on the group and also create and share their own tales.
They will be able to do the latter by using in-game production tools, while there will also be an AR mode and a function that allows players to customize the outfits of their characters. The release added that a writer recruitment event is also being held pre-launch, with selected participants then getting the chance to access the game early so they can create stories ahead of its full release.
Casual fans may not realize that BTS Universe Story is just the boyband’s latest foray into the world of mobile gaming. BTS World was also created in collaboration with Netmarble and launched in June last year.
Range of different experiences
The fact that BTS are heading into mobile gaming not only highlights just how massive the concept is these days, but also reflects how the area is home to a range of very different experiences.
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Many forms of gaming are now thriving on mobile and this was reflected in new data released by Sensor Tower this month. App download estimates from the organization’s Store Intelligence platform revealed that My Talking Tom Friends was the most downloaded mobile game in the world in July, with titles as diverse as the endless runner Subway Surfers and the action-packed PUBG Mobile securing places in the top ten. Casino gaming is another old-school activity that has proven popular on handheld systems and VegasSlotsOnline.com details how many new online casinos are optimized for a range of devices. Another popular title across the month was Ludo King and its success highlights how many classic forms of gaming have found a place on mobile too.
BTS’s new mobile game also reflects how the music world has a long-running relationship with gaming. Many musical artists have made surprising leaps into games in the past, with a host of bands featuring on titles like Guitar Hero and Rock Band. NME has also put a spotlight on some of the stranger examples too, with Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Snoop Dogg being immortalized in their own games. More recently, Fortnite has even been hosting musical events, with Travis Scott being among the names to get involved. Finally, Atari and Hello There Games recently confirmed the release of Beat Legend: Avicii, a rhythm-action game featuring the music of the late producer and performer.
A new level of success?
However, while music has had many links to gaming in the past, it could be argued that BTS Universe Story has the potential to enjoy a level of success rarely experienced by games associated with groups and bands.
BTS have become a fully-fledged global phenomenon in recent years and it will be fascinating to see just how popular their new game proves to be when it launches in the coming months.