Niko Partners, a leading research firm focused on providing market intelligence about the Chinese video game industry, recently released data from it’s most recent study, citing $2.75 billion in revenue from online games in China in 2008. The study collected data from over 70,000 points in 10 Chinese cities over the course of March 2009. The figure is generated from this data and includes new online game market segments, strong sales of (illegal) game consoles, and 23 million PCs in China’s 170,000 internet cafes. Based on this data, Niko Partners projects that the online game market will continue to flourish with a massive 26.4% compounded annual growth rate over the next five years, with revenues to top out close to $9 billion in 2013.
“Average spending per Chinese gamer is rising to the point where a 26% increase in gamers resulted in 61% more revenue for online games in 2008,” said Lisa Cosmas Hanson, managing partner of Niko Partners. “Niko’s conclusion is that China’s online market has plenty of room for growth in the next five years, and much of that growth will come from beyond the major metropolises where the number of Internet cafés, home PC penetration and Internet usage are all on the rise.”
The 2009 Annual Review and Five-Year Forecast Report on China’s Video Game Industry, available from Niko Partners is a comprehensive survey and review of the 2008 – 2013 PC online, PC offline, casual games, social networking games, console, handheld games and hardware market. It provides the most current and largest market intelligence of the Chinese gaming market including gamers, internet cafes, regulations, online game operators, games, hardware, distribution, retail, outsourced development, and vital info on trends in the supply and demand chain.
Highlights include:
- Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) accounted for 77% of 2008 online games revenue, with advanced casual and casual games making up the balance of 23%.
- Webgames and games on social networking sites expanded the casual game segment, offering more games to new and casual gamers as well as to hardcore gamers who play MMORPGs.
- Sales of next-generation game consoles continue to climb, though entirely via illegal imports as there has been a ban on consoles since 2000.
- By 2012 the number of online gamers should reach 119 million, a 17.7% CAGR.
The report is now available from Niko Partners, and includes:
- Annual Review & Five-Year Forecast Report
- Chinese Gamers Study in 4 City Tiers
- Six-Month Update Report
- 10 hours of consulting time
- On-site presentation about China’s market
