Tag: south korea

Asian Pacific markets embracing mobile payments

| March 23, 2013

Mobile Payments Asia Pacific MarketMasterCard reports that mobile payments are being well received in Asian markets

Mobile payments are becoming more popular in the Asian Pacific market, according to MasterCard. Access to smartphones and tablets is growing throughout these markets, making it possible for more consumers to conduct mobile payments than ever before. Many consumers in these markets consider mobile commerce a more convenient way to purchase products, which has lead to a growing demand for mobile payment services and platforms that accommodate mobile shopping.

Consumers favor mobile commerce for online shopping

According to MasterCard, 40% of online shoppers in Hong Kong, South Korea, and Singapore made purchases using their mobile devices in the past three months. Approximately 54% of Indonesian consumers made mobile payments over the same period, with China and Thailand accounting for 53% and 51% respectively. Mobile payments are becoming increasingly common throughout the Asian Pacific due to the proliferation of mobile technology.

Asian consumers are no stranger to NFC technology

MasterCard notes that NFC technology and its use in mobile commerce is relatively common throughout the region. According to the company, 70% of consumers throughout the Asian Pacific are aware of NFC technology and the role it plays in mobile payments. These consumers noted that they would be willing to adopt NFC-enabled mobile devices to participate in mobile commerce within the next 12 months. Digital wallets, which typically do not use NFC technology, are also quite popular with consumers, though the majority of consumers in the Asian Pacific noted that they were more interested in SMS-based mobile payments.

Mobile commerce continues to grow globally

Mobile payments are expected to continue growing in popularity throughout the Asian Pacific. Other markets around the world are experiencing similar results in their mobile commerce sectors as smartphones and tablets become more accessible for consumers. MasterCard is currently involved in mobile commerce initiatives in several countries and through these initiatives is attempting to establish a firm grasp on the mobile payments sector.

Reliance Games acquires mobile games developers in South Korea and Japan

| March 15, 2013

Mobile Games Asian MarketReliance Games to focus on mobile games in Asian market

Reliance Games, the mobile games division of Reliance Big Entertainment, has announced its acquisition of Japanese game developer and publisher Funnel as well as South Korean development studio Bluesom. The acquisition has formed new mobile games divisions for Reliance Games in both countries, providing the company with a strong entry point into their respective markets. Mobile games are very popular in both South Korea and Japan, and the market activity in this sector is what attracted the attention of Reliance Games in the first place.

Company now has strong entry into the Asian market

Through the acquisition, Reliance Games now has access to the intellectual property of both development studios. Both developers have produced very successful mobile games in the past and Reliance Games is keen to take advantage of that momentum for its venture into the Asian market. As part of Reliance Games, both Bluesom and Funnel will work to develop mobile games catered to the markets of South Korea and Japan. Developing games for the Asian market will not be the only focus of the studios, however.

Developers will work to create games for western markets in the future

In the future, both Bluesom and Funnel will research and develop multiplayer mobile games specifically for western markets. Multiplayer games, in particular, have been very successful in the mobile space due to their focus on community and social networking. These games are not expected to take form for some time, giving Reliance Games the opportunity to provide more resources to Funnel and Bluesom in order to bolster their position in their respective markets.

Barriers exist that separate Asian market from western markets

While mobile games enjoy almost universal appeal, games have traditionally faced several problems in crossing the gap that separates the Asian market from western markets. Cultural differences and other factors tend to make games that have performed well in the Asian market somewhat less successful in western markets. This is a persistent trend that exists throughout much of the game industry, and is as true for mobile games as it is for console and computer games.