Pokémon TCG Pocket developer DeNA has received 1.5 billion yen in subsidies, sparking debate about whether the studio actually needs the investment
DeNA, the Japanese developer behind mobile hit Pokémon TCG Pocket, has received 1.5 billion yen (approximately £6.99 million or $92.7 million USD) in government subsidies from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. The funding was allocated as part of the IP360 program, which aims to support the development of new domestic intellectual properties and strengthen Japan’s gaming and content industry on the global stage.
The subsidy announcement has sparked industry debate about whether DeNA actually requires the investment. Pokémon TCG Pocket is far from a struggling project—it has already achieved significant commercial success and wide recognition as a major mobile title. Critics question whether allocating such substantial resources to an already-profitable developer represents the most effective use of government support.
Observers have raised concerns about the IP360 program’s allocation priorities, suggesting that funding might be better directed toward smaller, emerging studios or new ventures lacking established commercial success. The decision to provide such a large subsidy to DeNA has prompted wider discussion about how governments should strategically invest in gaming industry support to maximize long-term growth and innovation.