#Japan #Tokyo #Sega XD #Asahi Shimbun #Wordle

Asahi Shimbun Unveils 'Asahi GAMES'

Asahi Shimbun Company, led by CEO Katsumi Tsunoda, has announced the release of 'Asahi GAMES', a new casual brain training puzzle game designed for easy play. This game features two original puzzle formats created in collaboration with Sega XD — 'Numbers Link' to enhance calculation skills and 'Memory Shuffle' to challenge memory retention. Additionally, it includes the official Japanese version of the globally popular word puzzle game 'Wordle', licensed from The New York Times.

What is Asahi GAMES?

'Asahi GAMES' is designed to stimulate cognitive abilities in just one minute of gameplay. While many game functions are available for free without advertisements, players can enjoy the experience seamlessly on computers or smartphones anytime. The overarching goal of the Asahi Shimbun is to expand its digital business. They aspire to offer readers a delightful interval in their daily lives, where they can engage in brief moments of fun between reading news articles. Each session is crafted to deliver a sense of quiet concentration combined with the small achievement of solving the puzzles, creating a habit that users can look forward to each day.

'Asahi GAMES' is not about competing against others; instead, it focuses on the joy of making small progress compared to one's previous self, valuing the personal journey of play.

Game Overviews

Numbers Link

In 'Numbers Link', players connect colorful numeric tiles displayed within a field to create the number indicated at the top of the screen. Combining longer sequences earns higher scores, leading to a simple yet addictive gameplay experience that keeps players engaged.

Memory Shuffle

'Memory Shuffle' challenges players to memorize the positions of randomly arranged panels and then rearrange them accordingly after they are shuffled. Players have ten seconds to memorize and ten seconds to re-organize the panels. The game increases in difficulty with every cleared level, effectively training the player's memory skills.

Wordle in Japanese

Now, 'Wordle' makes its mark in Japan as 'Wordleにほんご', an official Japanese version licensed from The New York Times. Players have up to ten attempts to guess a hidden five-letter Japanese word, with a new puzzle available each day. Access to 'Wordleにほんご' is exclusive to digital subscribers of Asahi Shimbun.

Moreover, paid subscribers can participate in varying daily challenges and access updated rankings by logging in. This game serves as an everyday cognitive exercise, encouraging users to optimize its benefits.

As part of the launch, a special present campaign awaits players who share their game results on social media, with stylish branded mugs and tote bags offered to 200 lucky winners. Engage in gameplay today for a chance to win these adorable goodies!

Partnership for a Seamless Experience

The development of Asahi GAMES was significantly shaped by Sega XD, which contributed its extensive experience in gamification from the planning stage. The team emphasized creating systems that encourage daily engagement throughout the project. Additionally, the collaboration with the development team from The New York Times enabled the localized version of 'Wordle' to be brought to Japanese audiences.

By merging Asahi Shimbun's dedication to nurturing long-term relationships with its readers with the specialized expertise of its partners, the goal is to develop a service that seamlessly integrates into daily life.

Asahi Shimbun is committed to continually providing enhanced experiences for users, working alongside various partners to achieve this vision.