DeNA, the Japanese online services company, has reported stellar financial results for the third quarter of the fiscal year ending March 2025, highlighting remarkable growth driven primarily by their gaming division. Announced on February 7, 2025, the company's consolidated financial results for the period from April to December 2024 reflect significant gains, particularly thanks to the success of their latest release, the "Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket" (known as 'ポケポケ'). This mobile game launched officially on October 30, 2024, and has since become one of the key contributors to DeNA’s impressive financial turnaround.
According to DeNA, the gaming segment saw profits increase by a staggering 8,127% compared to the previous year's figures, marking one of the highest growth rates the company has experienced. The game, which reached 60 million downloads by December 2024, has not only captivated players but also earned substantial revenue through various updates and seasonal events, enhancing user engagement and retention.
The fiscal results showed overall revenue of 1168 billion yen, representing a 12.1% increase from the previous year. The operating profit for the quarter was reported at 209 billion yen, showcasing the company’s effective cost management strategies alongside their successful product releases. The game business accounted for 506 billion yen of this revenue, where players can enjoy trading card features and various online events.
DeNA's approach involved continuous updates and enhancements to the gameplay experience, ensuring players remain engaged. "We are continuously working on updates so everyone can enjoy our game for a long time," the company stated, emphasizing their commitment to player satisfaction and retention.
Alongside its gaming achievements, the sports segment, which has also been enjoying resurgence post-pandemic, reported revenue growth of 11.8% due to increased attendance at Yokohama DeNA BayStars games. The baseball team saw record attendance, with 2.36 million fans attending home games during the 2024 season, marking the highest figure ever recorded for the franchise. Their successful run with victories, including wins at the 2024 JERA Climax Series, has fueled this growth.
Looking forward, DeNA remains optimistic about its future. Although the company indicated challenges for projecting precise earnings figures for the upcoming quarters, it anticipates continued growth owing to the popularity of its games and global strategies to attract users. DeNA’s recent achievements confirm their resilience and adaptability, especially following the restrictions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This surge positions DeNA as a notable player within the gaming and sports industries, paving the way for future ventures and innovations. Their strategy reflects not just the success of specific products but also overall branding and user engagement efforts across multiple platforms.
Overall, DeNA is seeing clear benefits from its investments in gaming, proving how effectively they can capitalize on market demands and user interest, particularly with iconic franchises like Pokemon at their helm.