Yahoo Japan launches gaming platform that bypasses app stores

TOKYO

Yahoo Japan Corp., operator of the nation’s second-most popular website, announced a new web-based gaming platform called Game Plus.

The new service offers titles through cloud streaming and those built on HTML5, and was to start Tuesday in Japan with 39 titles. Yahoo Japan is partnering with 52 game publishers including Square Enix Holdings Co. and Koei Tecmo Holdings Co. to offer new titles and re-releases of console games like Final Fantasy X.

Yahoo Japan joins Facebook Inc., Tencent Holdings Ltd., and Rakuten Inc. in embracing web-based games, which allow smartphone and desktop users to play without downloading apps or software.

— Bloomberg