Even as mobile devices take hold and MMORPGs give way to new genres, there's still an opportunity to build a business around online games in China, according to a new report.
Market research group Niko Partners announced today that it is forecasting China's online PC games market will reach $11.9 billion in 2013, up from $9 billion in 2012. The forecast comes at the end of an intensive study conducted through player surveys, usage data, and top-selling titles.
Although the PC market has experienced a sharp drop in demand for social and casual games (which have moved to mobile), Niko Partners have observed a "surge" in interest for web games and shooters.
"China's PC online games market has grown from $10 million in 2001 to more than $9 billion as of the end of 2012," says Niko managing partner Lisa Hanson. "Some industry observers say that because MMORPGs have given way to other genres the market is done. That is definitely not true."
Some key takeaways from Niko's report on the Chinese PC online games market:
Young men aged 18-24 are flocking to shooters in droves, with the ancillary effect of bolstering the domestic internet cafe market.
Tencent continues to dominate the Chinese PC online games market, including non-RPG MMOs.
Revenue growth is projected to slow over the next five years, but is nevertheless expected to expand by $2 billion annually, making the slow down irrelevant.
When I was in Beijing last year helping with an FPS under development there, it was clear they were really into it :) The entire studio played every day for at least an hour. That said, I wonder why there is no mention of women in gaming here? It is where the money is here in the West, and if the market is heavy with shooters in China I suspect the market is ripe there for quality female-friendly games. Of course if a studio is 100% male it should come as no surprise that they are making games for men.
I hear you. I was interested in that information myself, but Niko isn't making a lot of the report open to the public. It would be interesting to see a more comprehensive set of statistics from this thing.
Hi - yep we can't divulge all the key goodies in the report for free! Regarding females, we estimate that about 40% of gamers in China are female, but many are only playing the casual type of games. Of the hardcore games, it is more like 20% female. I'm sure there is room for a female targeted game. On the other hand, so many of the games employ the "cute style" with Japanese Anime type of characters and art that they are inviting to the females who would want to play games already.
