APAC Online Games Revenue To Hit $30 B In 2018

APAC Online Games Revenue To Hit $30 B In 2018

Online players in the Asia-Pacific region are expected to help push market turnover to US $ 30.39 billion in 2018, and more people turn to mobile platforms and tap the freemium model.

The Online Games population will grow to 335.88 Million, up from 240.74 Million in 2013, and the number of paying online gamers will reach almost 150 Million, up from 102.81 Million in 2013, said IDC in a statement Monday.

The research firm added that incomes in the region, excluding Japan, will still grow at an annual compound growth rate of 18.53 percent, even in the midst of a slowdown in Asian markets South. Income online games rose 14.27 percent to US $ 12.96 billion hit in 2013, compared with $ 11.34 billion the previous year.

Is also expected growth of online gaming market in the region to exploit the growing adoption of consumer smartphones and mobile Internet access, said Shiv Putcha, Asia-Pacific senior research associate of IDA's Mobility consumers. He also highlighted the strong contribution of Chin, the freemium model, and the rise of mobile gaming as growth engines for the market.

"The first major factor comes down to strong regional growth," said Putcha. "China has been and will continue to be the dominant force in online gaming, but other markets, such as Korea and Taiwan, are also strong growth. "

He noted that China, Korea and Taiwan were the top three markets in the region, representing 95.56 per cent of the turnover of online games. China dominated with 75.73 percent market share in 2013, generating US $ 9.81 billion in revenue.

Emerging market of online games, such as India and Indonesia, also made great progress in the past year, the analyst added.

In addition, mobile games and new categories included MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) and eSports, had emerged as strong drivers of growth, particularly in China, Korea and Taiwan.

According Putcha, the market for online games in the region had transformed from a paid subscription business model in a freemium model. "In 2013, online games offered in Asia-Pacific were overwhelmingly F2P games (free-to-play) and income was earned primarily through the sale of virtual items," he said. "Although income will be less predictable than subscription fee games, F2P model will attract new players when they are able to try the toll free games."

IDA expects in-app purchases and advertising to become the primary means of monetizing games in Asia, especially on mobile.

------------------------

About Source