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Online Gaming Companies Expect Positive Outlook

Local online gaming companies expect strong sector growth to continue while the Mainland is set to become an emerging market for Hong Kong digital effects and computer animation products, according to "The Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Industry Study 2006-2007".

Jointly organized by the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Industry Support Centre of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), China Game Publishers Association (Hong Kong), Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association and Hong Kong Comics and Animation Federation Limited, the study was funded by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and conducted by IDC Asia Pacific Limited.

The Study covered the latest development, including market trend, industry outlook and challenges of the Hong Kong digital entertainment industry, with focus on the online gaming, computer animation and comics, and digital effects sectors. A total of 70 companies, representing 26.9% of the industry's operators, were interviewed between November 2006 and January 2007.

According to the Study, online gaming companies were most positive on their sector's outlook (60.0%), compared to those of digital effects (45.0%) and computer animation and comics (40.9%). Hong Kong remained the principal market for the sector (63.0%) and the biggest growth area in 2006.

In the digital effects sector, the Study found that 55.0% of the respondents expect the Mainland to be the top potential growth market for 2007. Similar view was shared by those in the computer animation and comics sector (55.0%) with culture proximity being cited as the catalyst for the growth in the Mainland market.

Respondents from all three sectors also noted that Hong Kong's competitiveness in the digital entertainment industry lied mainly in its workforce's ability to provide creative ideas and solutions.

Dr Lawrence Cheung, Principal Consultant (Information Technology Industry Development) of HKPC, said: "Local industry is urged to engage in cross-platform and cross-region collaboration across various digital entertainment platforms such as e-comics, m-comics, animation, digital effects, and gaming to enhance its competitiveness. HKPC's Digital Entertainment Industry Support Centre will continue to assist industry players to forge strategic partnership to tap new markets and business opportunities."

A summary of the "The Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Industry Study 2006-2007" can be downloaded from the HKPC website (www.hkpc.org). For further information, please contact HKPC's Ms Yoyo Kwan at tel. (852) 2788 5698 or email: yoyokwan@hkpc.org

For media enquiries, please contact:
Mr Alfonso Tam
Principal Consultant (Corporate Services)
Corporate Communications
Tel: (852) 2788 5036
Fax: (852) 2788 5056
E-mail: felixchan@hkpc.org
Website: www.hkpc.org

5 November 2007