Computer Games

Computer Games

Postby winston » Thu Apr 09, 2009 8:10 am

Report: Online Games Grew 63% in China By Kris Graft

Global economic turmoil wasn't enough to keep the Chinese online game market down in 2008.

In its "Games Market in China" study, San Francisco-based Pearl Research said the online games market in China grew over 63 percent in 2008 to $2.8 billion. The firm projected that the market will grow to $5.5 billion in 2012.

Pearl said Chinese game operators are optimistic about the years ahead, saying the global economic downturn has had little impact on their businesses, as games are "small-ticket" items that people are still willing to buy.

The most popular online game in China is Netease's Fantasy Westward Journey, which reached over 1.8 million peak concurrent users. Following that title is Giant’s Zhengtu Online (1.5 million users), Tencent's Dungeon Fighter (1.2 million) and Blizzard's World of Warcraft (1 million).

Pearl also said there are six game operators in China that have crossed the $200 million revenue mark: Tencent, Changyou, The9, Netease, Shanda and Giant.

About 70 percent of China's 298 million Internet users are under 30 years old, Pearl said.

Pearl's Allison Luong elaborated on the study. “Trends to track in 2009 include the growth of social networking sites in China, with over 55 million users, and their cross-pollination with games.

"One overall concern is the lack of diversification with many game operators relying on a single title for the bulk of revenues.

"In addition, a glut of content with more than 200 games on the market, makes releasing a breakout hit increasingly difficult.”

http://www.edge-online.com/news/report- ... w-63-china
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Gaming Industry

Postby winston » Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:08 am

Revenue in China's online game industry was 208 billion yuan (US$3 billion) last year and could rise to $10 billion by 2012, according to iResearch.
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Re: Online Games

Postby winston » Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:52 am

China Bans Gold Farming

InformationWeek is reporting that the Chinese government has declared a ban on the sale of virtual goods for real currency. This move is poised to shut down a several billion yuan a year business that has been growing by leaps and bounds each year. “The trading of virtual currency for real cash employs hundreds of thousands of people worldwide and generates between $200 million and $1 billion annually, according to a 2008 survey conducted by Richard Heeks at the University of Manchester.

He estimates that between 80% and 85% of gold farmers are based in China. […] Game companies typically forbid gold farming but committed virtual currency traders find ways around such rules. Some game companies have recognized the futility of trying to ban the practice and have built virtual commerce into their game infrastructure.”
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Re: Online Games

Postby winston » Wed Jul 01, 2009 7:11 am

China cracks down on virtual economy

Faced with the prospect of an underground virtual economy developing inside internet games, the Chinese government is cracking down on those who use virtual money to buy real-world goods.

With millions of young Chinese regularly playing online games, the practice of trading in-game currency or virtual credits for real goods is growing in popularity - and is even so profitable that it has led to the creation of a virtual sweatshop industry known as gold farming.

But according to a joint statement from the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Culture, new rules will be put in place to stop the trade of virtual currency for real items.

"The virtual currency, which is converted into real money at a certain exchange rate, will only be allowed to trade in virtual goods and services provided by its issuer, not real goods and services," it said.

Media reports suggest government officials are largely concerned with the creation of an uncontrollable black market that operates in parallel to the Chinese economy, rather than in closing down traders themselves. And although this is being reported in some places as a potential death knell to gold farming entirely, players will still be able to buy virtual goods with virtual cash.

Earlier this year we reported on the business of gold farming - an industry that seems almost too surreal and postmodern to be true:

Workers can expect to earn between £80-£120 a month which, given the long hours and night shifts, can amount to as little as 30p an hour. After completing his shift, Li is given a basic meal of rice, meat and vegetables and falls into a bunk bed in a room that eight other gold farmers share. His wages may be low, but food and accommodation are included.

These virtual industries sound surreal, but they are fast entering the mainstream. According to a report by Richard Heeks at Manchester University, an estimated 400,000 Asian workers are now employed in gold farming in a trade worth up to £700m a year.

This new law appears to be the latest step in trying to bring the legal systems of the real world and virtual worlds in line with each other. It will be interesting to see where things go from here: GamePolitics suggests the first result may be to drive up the price of virtual goods inside games like World of Warcraft.
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Re: Online Games

Postby blid2def » Wed Jul 01, 2009 8:46 am

There is some good that comes out of their strictness afterall. :D
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Re: Online Games

Postby HengHeng » Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:48 am

It is good biz ... i used to be farming as well when markets aren't moving ...one way to stop this biz ..

Ban internet!
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Re: Online Games

Postby sidney » Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:09 am

If u like Jin Yong novel, can try the game. I like the game play..

http://www.gamesmomo.com/a.asp?id=3045
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Re: Online Games

Postby HengHeng » Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:47 am

wah jyqx3 liaoz .. LOL .. i used to be playing 1 and 2 .. back in my army days .. LOL stilll had the farming bot .. LOL
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Re: Online Games

Postby kennynah » Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:54 am

last time play this game already eye and hand coordination failed me...

i cant imagine playing those complex online games ... probably end up becoming a schizophrenic :shock:

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Re: Online Games

Postby blid2def » Thu Jul 02, 2009 2:21 am

HengHeng wrote:wah jyqx3 liaoz .. LOL .. i used to be playing 1 and 2 .. back in my army days .. LOL stilll had the farming bot .. LOL


LOL... I only played 1. Damn enjoyable game. Hahaha... :D

Nowadays I cheapo, play free-2-play games... dun need pay money. Here's what I'm playing now:

Runes of Magic: http://www.runesofmagic.com

Basically WoW clone, but they've also done a good job with some innovations which make things much easier for casual players.
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