Tencent, the Chinese Internet Giant released the latest version of Weixin (WeChat) on iOS platform on August 5, offering new monetizable features like a game center, sticker shop, mobile payments and bar code scanning for e-commerce transactions.
Tencent has only put one Candy Crushlike mobile puzzle game, Tian Tian Ai Xiao Chu (TTAXC), on Weixin’s game center. By clicking the link, gamers are taken to Apple’s App Store for download. Within 12 hours of its debut, TTAXC was ranked no. 1 in Apple’s iOS free app ranking for China. We believe this is due to its social features, including score sharing, ranking and invitation, among gamers’ Weixin or QQ friend circles. TTAXC adopts a free-to-play item-based model, where gamers can purchase virtual items or additional game time through Apple’s payment channel.
Tencent will soon launch several mobile games on its Weixin game center overseas, including Fruit Ninja and Temple Run 2. In our view, the strong debut of TTAXC bodes well for Tencent’s mobile game distribution capability.
WeChat and e-Commerce
Weixin 5.0 allows users to scan the barcodes of different products on their smartphones. If the products are available online, users will be directed to different e-commerce verticals to complete the transaction. Weixin 5.0 can recognize scanned book or
CD covers for online purchases. The recognition capability also extends to street view (for location-based services) and optical character recognition (OCR).
WeChat Secured Mobile Payment System
By inputting bank card details, users can complete payments for any purchases made on Weixin. For example, they can buy movie tickets or coupons from various merchants directly through Weixin. The payment is transacted though Tenpay, Tencent’s third-party payment channel.
WeChat Introduces Siri Like Voice
Instead of typing the characters, Weixin 5.0 allows users to speak in Chinese and the message will be translated into words. We believe Tencent may offer Siri-like interactive features (e.g., Q&A and information search) later on Weixin.