INTERNATIONAL FACTFILE Hong Kong
MCV looks at the games market in Hong Kong and how the lack of dedicated games retailers has seen market stalls thrive
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THE FACTS Population: 7,184,000 Currency: Hong Kong dollar GDP (Per Capita): $41,421 Language: Cantonese Chinese, English
KEY RETAILERS 298 Computer Zone, Buygame2, Fortress, Golden Shop, i-Gamer, Offerhouse, Oriental 188 Shopping Centre, Play-Asia, RenChi, SuperUFO, Toys R Us
TOP DEVELOPERS 6waves, Alife Studios, Blue Torch, Boonty, Gameloft, GigaMedia, Glu Games, Gorilla Systems, M-Inverse, New Era Interactive, Plastic Fantastic Games Studio, Typhoon Games
ABOUT THE MARKET
HONG KONG is an attractive region for video games pricing thanks to its tax-free status. There are no dedicated games retailers in the country. GameStop never achieved long-term success in the market while HMV’s presence in the country ended when its stores were sold off last year. Instead, the majority of consumers buy their games from larger entertainment stores and online retailers such as Play-Asia, Buygame2 and Offerhouse. Outlets such as electronics brand
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Greg.Lockley@intentmedia.co.uk 46 March 28th 2014
Fortress and Toys R Us do maintain video games offerings but these are typically limited to big name releases such as Call of Dutyand Skylanders. But the cost of video games at these outlets averages at between HK$350 (£27) and HK$450 (£35), which makes them amongst the most expensive stores to buy products in the country. That leads gamers to Hong
Kong’s iconic market stalls, which
are home to an abundance of games outlets with far more aggressive pricing. Here, consumers are able to get their hands on games for as low as HK$200 (£15).
Hong Kong’s iconic market stalls are home to an abundance of games outlets, which price titles for as low as £15.
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But like most markets around the world, piracy remains an issue in Hong Kong and is commonplace amongst these smaller stalls. Consumers are able to get their hands on illegal copies of games for as little as HK$100 (£8). Mirroring other markets in Asia, PlayStation dominates the region
and the PS3 and Vita are the most popular devices. This dominance has continued from the end of 2013 when the PS4 launched in the region un-contested.
Microsoft has confirmed the Xbox One will launch in 26 additional markets at the end of 2014. But while the new console is to launch in Japan, Korea and Singapore, Hong Kong and mainland China have been left out in the cold. It’s a surprising move by Microsoft given that retailers in the territory maintain that demand for Xbox products is higher than in Japan.
As more gamers buy consoles,
Hong Kong’s once thriving arcade scene has taken a huge hit. Unlike neighbouring regions like South Korea where the most popular way to play titles is at internet cafés, more gamers in Hong Kong are buying their own devices, which has seen the popularity of these gaming outlets dwindle.
www.mcvuk.com
PUBLISHERS IN THE REGION Bandai, Capcom, Disney Interactive, EA, Konami, Microsoft, Sony Computer Entertainment, Tencent, Ubisoft
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