Video Games Archives - Gizmochina

China’s Video Game Industry Rebounds as 87 New Titles Hint towards a Lucrative 2024

Anubhav — Sat, 16 Dec 2023 04:33:24 +0000

China‘s video game industry is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, with the approval of 87 new titles, including high-profile releases like Ubisoft’s “The Division Resurgence.” This surge in gaming approvals marks a significant recovery from previous regulatory challenges, signaling a brighter future for both players and developers.

A total of 873 titles were released in the year 2023

In November, the National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) of China greenlit these games, including the mobile version of “The Division Resurgence” from Tencent-backed Ubisoft Entertainment. This move not only reflects the market’s recovery but also showcases China’s pivotal role in the global gaming landscape.

2023 has been a notable year for the Chinese gaming industry, with 873 titles approved so far. This number comfortably surpasses the 512 titles in 2022 and 755 in 2021. Among these are offerings from major Chinese developers like NetEase, Perfect World, Lilith Games, and HyperGryph, illustrating a diverse and robust gaming ecosystem.

The approval process in China adds a layer of complexity for game publishers, as every title must undergo licensing before public release. Despite this, the recent approvals indicate a more stable and predictable environment, vital for the industry’s health and growth.

“The Division Resurgence,” set for a global launch in 2024, exemplifies the industry’s renewed vigor. This multiplayer shooter game is expected to be a significant draw for players worldwide. Ubisoft’s partnership with Tencent’s Level Infinite aims to extend its reach across Asia, including countries like the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia.

China’s overall gaming revenue is projected to reach $47.76 billion in 2023, a 5.2% increase from 2022. This growth is driven by a regular cadence of game approvals, successful new launches, and sustained spending on legacy titles. The number of gamers in China is also on the rise, expected to reach 710.3 million this year.

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Minecraft is the best selling video game of all time, over 300 million copies shipped

Sean — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 11:32:05 +0000

Minecraft is the world’s best selling video game. Over 300 million copies of the game have been shipped since the title’s launch around 15 years ago. This is a major milestone for the company, so let’s have a look.

Minecraft has sold over 300 million copies

Mojang Studios, the company behind the best selling game of all time, has sold more than 300 million copies of the game. In comparison, the second highest selling game in the world is Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto 5, which sold over 185 million copies. In other words, Minecraft has blown past all of its competitors despite being such an old launch. It was first released back in 2013 and first crossed the 200 million mark back in 2020.

The studio announced this major milestone during a Minecraft Live event. During this live stream, Mojang even revealed certain new features that will be coming to the game. This includes the new trial chamber that brings traps and mobs that players must face in a series of rooms and corridors. As of right now, a new Star Wars: Path of the Jedi DLC and Planet Earth CLD are currently in the works and will be available on 7th November 2023 and early 2024 respectively.

According to Helen Chiang, head of Mojang Studios “As we approach the 15th anniversary, Minecraft remains one of the best-selling games of all time with over 300 million copies sold. It is a milestone no one could have dreamed of when we were all placing our first blocks.” In related news, here’s a list of the best PCs that are great for those who love to play Minecraft.

Anno: Mutationem, a cyberpunk themed action RPG to launch for Xbox on Sept 22

Sean — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 11:35:39 +0000

The Xbox is set to get a new game release later this week. The upcoming title is Anno: Mutationem, which is an action RPG (role-playing game) with a cyberpunk inspired theme. It is being developed by Thinking Stars with Lightning Games being its publisher.

Anno: Mutationem Launch

Based on official notes, the Anno: Mutationem will be launched for the Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Windows 10 on 22nd September 2023. The game is already available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and on PC (Via Steam). Anno: Mutationem is being developed by a small group of indie developers from China. The cyberpunk action game features pixel art style graphics and offers side scrolling and third person gameplay.

In the title, gamers will interact with various other characters in a futuristic city to solve puzzles as you uncover more of the plot. Notably, the game was updated last year, bringing a new ending and New Game+ that lets players weapons, inherit chips, money, and other essential in-game items. To make the game more challenging for players a new “Hell” level mode along with an Easy Mode for beginners. The title has you play as Ann, who is a highly skilled combat trained lone wolf. The protagonist is on a personal mission in the giant Metropolis, which is full of massive corporations and dangerous creatures.

Exciting News for Borderlands Fans, Long-Awaited Movie Release Date Revealed!

Anubhav — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 01:58:11 +0000

Borderlands is a popular video game series known for its unique blend of first-person shooter gameplay and role-playing elements. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, players explore diverse, vibrant landscapes while engaging in chaotic battles against bizarre creatures and bandits. Fans can now get ready for an epic adventure as the long-anticipated Borderlands movie finally receives a release date! The official Twitter account for the game made the announcement that the film is set to premiere in theatres on August 9th, 2024, sending long-time fans into a frenzy of excitement.

The game franchise has been long loved by fans, so the movie is a pleasant surprise

Directed by the talented Eli Roth, renowned for his work on Hostel, the movie is a live-action adaptation of the beloved video game series. Cate Blanchett takes on the role of Lilith, a fearless treasure hunter returning to her home planet, Pandora. Alongside her, an all-star cast includes Kevin Hart as Roland, Arian Greenblatt as Tiny Tina, Florian Munteanu as Krieg, Jamie Lee Curtis as Tannis, and the lovable Jack Black as Claptrap.

Despite a first look being released last year, eager fans were awaiting the official trailer to catch a glimpse of what promises to be an unforgettable cinematic experience. Interestingly, the announcement comes over a year in advance, raising curiosity to new heights, given that filming concluded more than two years ago in June 2021.

Delays are common in video game-based movies, with Uncharted facing several setbacks before its mixed-reception release. In contrast, the Super Mario Bros. Movie overcame its delays and set box office records for a video game adaptation, offering hope for Borderlands’ success.

With Eli Roth’s direction, an exceptional cast, and the cherished source material, the stage is set for an action-packed cinematic journey that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats. Get ready to embark on an extraordinary quest through the post-apocalyptic landscapes of Pandora, where danger and treasures lie in wait at every turn. The countdown to Borderlands’ arrival in theaters has begun, and this a time of celebration for the fans of the franchise.

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Vox, Roblox, Unity, Roku and More American Corps Affected by SVB Bank Collapse

Leo Wong De Quan — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 23:13:31 +0000

Besides Etsy sellers affected by the sudden shut down of Silicon Valley Bank(SVB), many more American companies and businesses have revealed recently that they were affected by the collapse of SVB. Amongst those banking with SVB, the most notable are Vox Media, Roblox, Roku and Circle.

Affected American businesses by Silicon Valley Bank

Vox Media

Let’s start with the most famous one in tech circles, Vox Media. Vox Media is the parent company of The Verge – the popular online technology news outlet based in the United States, Vox – the viral American news and opinion website, and Polygon – the entertainment news website that covers news from the video game industry, as well as movies, comics, television and books.

The New York Times reported that Vox Media had a substantial amount of its operational cash in Silicon Valley Bank. The Vox Media personnel who was familiar with New York Times also told that Vox Media’s credit cards, which Silicon Valley Bank issued, had stopped working on Friday.

The personnel also claimed the company does not expect any disruption to its business yet, including payroll to its employees. Penske Media, Vox Media’s largest shareholder, said in a statement that it was ready if the company required additional capital but added that it didn’t foresee any issues for the time being.

Roblox

Roblox, the 21st century viral online game platform and game creation system, has also been affected by Silicon Valley Bank’s shutdown by regulators. According to Forbes, Roblox Corporation held 5% of its $3 billion in cash (150 million USD) at the bank. However, according to a filing, the video game company said SVB’s collapse will “have no impact” on its day-to-day operations.

Unity

Unity Technologies, the American video-game technology maker widely known for its video game engine, Unity, disclosed to authorities in the country today that the company held less than 5% of its cash and cash equivalents at Silicon Valley Bank and expects “minimal impact” from the bank’s collapse.

Unity Video Game Engine Logo

However, Unity Technologies has swiftly informed its video game publishers using Unity via email to swiftly update their payout institution from SVB to other banks before March 20, 2023 to avoid delays in payments.

Roku

Roku is an American corporation that offers Roku TV, its hardware digital media players, and a service of releasing streaming media content on its TV players.

Roku showed much concern in its SEC filing. The company reports that 487 million USD of its cash was within SVB, which is 26% of the company’s assets. What is more worrying is that Roku’s deposits with Silicon Valley Bank are largely uninsured. At this time, Roku does not know to what extent the company will be able to recover its cash on deposit at SVB.

Circle

American Cryptocurrency firm Circle, the owner of stablecoin USDC, had a massive 3.3 billion USD invested with Silicon Valley Bank, the company revealed in a tweet. That’s around 8 per cent of the company’s total $40 billion, which is held elsewhere.

Circle, stated in a statement, “Like other customers and depositors who relied on SVB for banking services, Circle joins calls for continuity of this important bank in the U.S. economy and will follow guidance provided by the state and Federal regulators.”

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Chinese Video Game Companies are Back in Business as Beijing Relaxes its Grip on the Industry

Joane — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 10:13:50 +0000

The National Press and Public Administration (NPPA), the body responsible for issuing gaming licenses, has issued 88 new licenses this year. This is excellent news for gaming companies and players, as China now seems to have relaxed its grip on the industry, allowing some breathing space for gaming companies.

China has the world’s biggest online gaming market, with more than 664 million active players. However, the sale of video games dropped by over 10% in 2022, coming as a shock to the entire industry. Rising regulatory pressures, economic slowdown, COVID-19 restrictions, and sluggish consumer demand led to declining game sales in China, a first-ever trend seen since 2003.

China implemented some of the toughest video gaming rules to combat gaming addiction and clean up content. These restrictions shaved off the market value of some of the biggest gaming companies including Tencent and NetEase and led to the closure of more than 200 gaming studios. In 2022, mobile game sales, which account for over 70% of total sales, declined 14.4% to 193.1 billion yuan ($28.05 billion).

In 2022, due to the drop in gaming revenue, Tencent lost 24.7% and NetEase lost 27.3% in market value. However, the new round of licenses added life to the industry and helped the shares of both companies to rise by almost 21% in 2023.

2023 marks a fresh start for the gaming industry in China. The world’s largest video gaming company (by market share) Tencent Holdings and other big players like NetEase and miHoYo have got licenses for new games this year. Tencent got three domestic licenses including one for its upcoming action game Undawn, developed by LightSpeed studio and Alchemy Stars, a tactical mobile game developed by Tourdog studio. NetEase, on the other hand, got approval for the shooting game Badlanders which has already been released globally but was waiting for approval in China.

The Shanghai-based miHoYo, which developed the world-famous mobile game Genshin Impact, got the license to launch the much-anticipated installment of the Honkai Series called Honkai: Star Rail. Other notable firms that got licenses in 2023 include Hong Kong-based XD Inc, Shenzhen-based Perfect World, and Shanghai-based 37Games.

The number of games approved to date in 2023 is higher than the number of monthly games approved last year. Last November, after an 18-month hiatus, the NPPA approved licenses for 84 new games by domestic developers and 44 imported games. This brings hope that the gaming sector will be revived and Beijing is now ready to allow more options to its gaming audience.

Experts are predicting the approval of 800 to 900 new gaming titles in 2023. This will be way more than the approvals made in the last couple of years.

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