Analyst: Asian MMO revenues to hit $2.5 billion

by Ross Miller { Sep 5th 2007 at 11:25AM }

Online gaming has blossomed all over the world, but it hasn't been embraced quite as much as it has in Asia. According to data compiled by Pearl Research (via GamesIndustry.biz), revenue from the online gaming market in the region is expected to grow 20 percent from last year to US $2.5 billion.

In their study entitled "Online Games Market in Asia," Pearl Research cites ten publishers that in 2006 made over US $100 million. If that many companies can thrive in the region, who's to say that multiple MMOs can't coexist peacefully (and successfully) in regions dominated by World of Warcraft? Furthermore, to what extent is this profitability from business models such as subscriptions or from microtransactions? If it's the latter, expect to see more of that in future releases elsewhere around the globe.

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Tags: asia, business, mmo, online

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

bendak @ Sep 5th 2007 11:31AM

omg netherwing egg, need that for rep!!!

Shagittarius @ Sep 5th 2007 11:39AM

And I sorta felt MMORPGs were just starting on their way out in the US...

mr nimblewick @ Sep 5th 2007 11:40AM

You mean right now? Or before WoW was released?

Shagittarius @ Sep 5th 2007 12:02PM

I mean right now perhaps people are just starting to get tired of the same formula thats been used since meridian 59.

If someone were to come in with a truely unique design (not just in setting) I believe it could reinvigorate old-school MMORPG players interests.

I don't know many people from the MMORPG heyday that are still playing, it seems WoW is composed more of johnnie come lately players than your older hardcore MMORPG players.

I know I've lost interest in the genre.

mr nimblewick @ Sep 5th 2007 12:16PM

I've lost interest too. Or rather, my girlfriend lost interest so I stopped playing. But I think it's still going pretty strong.

AlanRickman @ Sep 5th 2007 11:46AM

Multiple MMOs can co-exist in the WoW-dominated universe. Problem right now is that all the MMOs on the books seem to be WoW ripoffs, or at least set in the same vein.

If people want to play a fantasy MMO, they play World of Warcraft, end of story. Its time for other sub-genres to make their way forth. City of Heroes/Villians was a good start. Where the hell is Tabula Rasa?

Llenlleawg @ Sep 5th 2007 12:29PM

Not entirely true, the guild wars fan base is very strong.

WiNG @ Sep 5th 2007 12:16PM

Ca multiple MMOs exist?

Well considering a Korean team won the Guild Wars world champ $100k tournament 3 years in a row, my guess is YES.

Putt Pirate @ Sep 5th 2007 12:27PM

Micro-transactions FTW

Leobebes @ Sep 5th 2007 12:46PM

Once video games become a substitute to reality and cease to become a form of escapism the medium has failed.

Hollywood Ron @ Sep 5th 2007 1:14PM

In the words of the Chris Rock character Cheap Pete from "In Living Color": Good Lawd that's a lotta money!

Rex @ Sep 5th 2007 1:26PM

I still want my Pokemon MMO

"My pokemans, let me show you them"

Dustin @ Sep 5th 2007 2:18PM

Thanks again Joystiq for displaying picture of WoW. Now I have to go spend a few hours playing it just so that I can get my fix.

Zsavior @ Sep 5th 2007 2:37PM

The same reason WOW got big will be the same reason multiple MMO will thrive, people are ready for a change. WOW pretty much kicked open the door for the MMO showing that you could bring in new gamers if you create the world they want to play in. WOW didn't create anything new it just made it accessible.

The only flaw WOW has is that the content past the lvl cap is not as friendly and thus the excitement fades away. But with Warhammer, Tabala Rasa, Age Of Conan, coming to PC and new MMO's coming to the console, the market will probably explode.

Personally I feel PS3 might have an edge here if the PSN online model stays free and thus you are only paying for the subscription fee. The system is strong enough to produce very high end MMOs(not that I wouldn't play an MMO on the WII)and it's network is enticing since you would be still paying one fee.

Either way that is a debate for another day, but yes I think after this year MMOs in this country are going to explode, WOW will die but the rise of a much more refreshing genre will take place.