With the western captial started flowing to the east, it seems a perfect timing for the gaming industrial to do something now.
Through out the brief history, we know many had tried in the past decade, many had failed, most of them claimed defeat due to piracy, or goverment regualation problem. But, is it really the reason?
Sony launched PS2 in China in 2004, which is almost 4 years delay after its initial globe launch. At this time, moded PS2 had already occupied the entire "underground market" Plus, with only a handful of games that has been localized into the Chinese language, no wonder they failed.
Other software publishers as well, most of the games they sell in the country is couple of year delayed, and we all know the average life spend of a game, not very long.
A more recent event is World of Warcraft, and I am awared how ridiculars it sound, even today, 55million,(thats half of thetotal World number ofWOW players)players are still in TBC age, thanks to the publishing regualation.
The way i see it, the gaming biz's fail in China is on both sides. On one hand, companies dont pay enough attention to this hugh market, and what they did is "Oh, this game sells in the rest of the world, so will it in CHina" or "its China, we just thorw them the out dated game and they will chew on it"
The Chinese arent no fools, they maybe Cheap labour, but when it comes to buying things, they are as cunning as a fox.
New marketing strategy should be implemented, and localization is a MUST, what's more important, global launch!
On the other hand, piracy is still a pain in the arse to many companies. This may seems difficult in a country that bascially the entire IT industrial is developed by PIRACY!( I **** you not). And even for the rest of the world, i can hardly believe all the mp3 in your hard drive is ALL legal, and you have never played a single pirated game.
But piracy can be counter in some ways:
1st, as i said before, globe launch, before they even had the chance to dl it. And I know many Chinese gamers are very, very passionated.
2nd, Localized price tag, just like what M$ just did with its Win7, 350 RMB in China, that's 35EURO or 60$. if the games can be around 20Euro or 30$, they will sell. You have no idea how many people i know made a purchase on COD6MW2 these days, if its a good game, they are willing to pay for it.
3rd, online games, I know how wow may sound a hugh failiour to the rest of the world, but 55million is NOT a small number, and as long as the company is making more than 30% profit, i call it a success.
Despites the difference how different country works, business and profit are what we after, you dont have to like the people to sell to them, but if there is a market and it can provide more jobs to people, i do not see the point why not?
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