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Chinese Online Games To Be Worth 1.7 Billion

Posted by Zonk on from the that's-a-lot-of-players dept.

Now that the Chinese Government is backing online gaming, analysts are predicting the industry to be worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $1.7 Billion by 2010. From the article: "Because of piracy concerns China has been forced to pioneer new business models for video games ... The game market in China is all about online play and charging by usage. There is even a growing market for the items used in games like weapons and characters."

2 of 15 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Online Gaming in China by fireduck · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Lousy joke aside, does anyone think China won't use gaming as propaganda?

    as opposed to America's Army?

  2. China Discovers Home Gaming by lorelorn · · Score: 3, Insightful
    What's happening in China now is similar to what happened in the US and Europe in 78-84 - an explosion in home gaming.

    As then, piracy is rampant, which provides a disincentive for developers and publisher to enter the market even though it's rapidly growing.

    Fortunately (from a developer/publisher) point of view, they have the technology now to make all gaming online only. When you can charge subscription, piracy becomes irrelevant.

    It doesn't really matter what model they use - flat-fee, metered, ISP tie in. In fact I expect all these models will be used, and will be appropriate in their own space.