Tencent’s Call of Duty: Mobile launches in China with 50 million sign-ups and Jay Chou’s endorsement

More than a year after its international launch, Tencent Holdings’ Call of Duty: Mobile is finally getting its release in China, with nearly 50 million preregistered users and the endorsement of king of Chinese pop Jay Chou.

Licensed by Activision Blizzard and developed by Tencent, Call of Duty: Mobile was officially available in the world’s biggest gaming market on Tuesday via a public beta test. Already an international gaming sensation since its global launch on October 1 last year, Call of Duty: Mobile only secured release approval from the Chinese government in August, given the country’s strict media regulation policies.

The demand for Call of Duty: Mobile’s launch in China appears to be enormous. Before the game’s release on Tuesday, close to 50 million users had preregistered, according to the game’s website. To further build momentum for the roll out, Tencent recruited the endorsement of popular Taiwanese singer Jay Chou, who has also starred in Hollywood movies such as The Green Hornet and Now You See Me 2.

Analysts are bullish about the earning potential of the game. Call of Duty: Mobile generated close to US$500 million in player spending in its first year, making it the 22nd most profitable mobile game in the world during that time, according to a new report from app tracking firm Sensor Tower.

In June, Sensor Tower predicted that after its China release the game could surpass Tencent’s own PUBG Mobile to become the world’s biggest mobile title. Call of Duty: Mobile reached the 250 million downloads milestone faster than PUBG Mobile.

Daniel Ahmad, senior analyst at game consultancy Niko Partner, said the game’s China release is likely to be hugely successful.