Why Nintendo’s Miitomo should frighten every other mobile game publisher

Late last month, Nintendo released its first mobile game in the United States: Miitomo, launching a ton of hype. This app is based on Nintendo’s adorable Mii characters, which first appeared in 2006 with the launch of the Wii console.

So, what is this game like? My experience felt more like a social experiment or interaction, similar to Glu’s Kim Kardashian, Zynga’s The Ville, or EA’s Sims. There has been a lot of commentary and debate on whether the app is even a game or just a gamified social experience. But let’s leave the debate on definitions and gameplay aside and focus on a more important question: given all the hype, how is the game doing?