Games With a Continuum: Globalization, Regionalization, and the Nation-State in the Development of China’s Online Game Industry

Abstract

As a case study, this article examines the development of China’s online game industry and how China responds to the forces of globalization. Based on in-depth interviews, ethnographic research, and the analysis of archive documents from the past few years, this study identifies China’s evolving strategy of neo-techno-nationalism. In the Chinese context, this national strategy manipulates technology to create a version of popular nationalism that is both acceptable to and easily censored by the authorities. Therefore, cultural industries that adopt this strategy stand a good chance of prevailing in the Chinese market. This success explains why the regional competitors of Chinese online games—Korean games—are more successful in China than most of their Western counterparts. By providing a snapshot of the current ecology of China’s online game industry, this article also discusses the influence of regional and global forces in a concrete context and argues that the development of China’s online game industry depends more on political factors than economic factors.

Shifting the Focus to East and Southeast Asia: A Critical Review of Regional Game Research

“…Storz et al ( 2015 ), Schneider ( 2018 ), as well as Jiang and Fung ( 2019 ), indicated that although the government of China has endorsed online game industries as a driving force that helps foster economic development, bring economic benefits, and create job opportunities, it is undeniable that the state wants to open a window for determining how the creative industries in general and gaming, in particular, can be used to strengthen the central role of the governing bodies, empower the national image, and promote positive social connections among the youth. Thus, the regulatory landscape is always the highest barrier to China's video games market.…”

“…Jiang and Fung ( 2019 ) conducted an extensive analysis of the game development agenda in China, with the state lying at its heart, playing the role of the main engine. According to these two authors, the development of China's online game industry is not driven by capitalist forces but ignited by state power.…”

“…As a crucial part of the creative industries, gaming has also been under this ideology's influence. Jiang and Fung ( 2019 ) pointed out that locally, the state has tried to ameliorate the legal system and elaborate domestic conditions for gaming companies in China, with which innovative ideas are well nurtured and given room to flourish; while internationally, the government has actively engaged in developing new technologies and promoting exports, as well as building the national image in order to facilitate multilateral trading activities in which video games also play a crucial role as one engine actuating the soft power expansion plan. Thanks to this direction, Chinese mobile games have recently accounted for 19 of the top 100 highest-grossing games in the USA, raking in a combined $487 million in revenue and underlining the drive by some developers overseas.…”

“…Niko Partners ( 2020a ) released a detailed report on the dramatic overhaul to the regulation and licensing of digital games in China, showcasing that after this freezing time, the policymakers introduced some reforms that enormously altered the regulatory framework. Jiang and Fung ( 2019 ) shed light on this matter by pointing out that online games in China are closely related to controversial vices comprising Internet addiction, (cyber) violence, and pornography. Thus, the strict measures imposed are largely understood as a double-barrelled effort to protect the domestic market and national unity.…”

Global Game Jam in Latin-America, a Collaborative Videogame Learning Experience

“…Additionally, in the United States 65% of the population spends three or more hours playing video games (Entertainment Software Association 2017). In China, it is estimated that from 751 million active Internet users, about 422 million are online players (Jiang and Fung 2019). Therefore, Seiffert and Nothhaft (2015) stated that the video games market exceeds other entertainment industries such as cinema and music in audience, growth, and income.…”