Author: Stephen

Mobile games are powering growth for NetEase

| March 1, 2016

NetEase is finding more success in China’s promising mobile gaming market

NetEase, one of China’s largest gaming and Internet companies, has posted its revenue and earnings report for the fourth quarter of 2015. The report shows that the company has seen exceptional growth, powered mostly by the growing popularity of mobile games. NetEase has been involved in the gaming space for some time, with online gaming being the company’s largest business segment. As the mobile space has grown over the years, the company has delved into mobile gaming, offering consumers access to an assortment of entertaining and, in some cases, addicting games that they can play wherever they are.

Net revenue has increased across the board for NetEase, with the mobile sector powering growth

According to the report, NetEase’s online gaming segment more than doubled in the fourth quarter of 2015. Overall growth, however, was powered by mobile games. The company notes that it saw a 103% year-over-year revenue increase from online games, a 68% increase from advertising services, and a 355% increase from e-commerce and other services during the fourth quarter. Mobile gaming has become one of the most powerful influencers of growth for NetEase, with the company’s mobile portfolio now overflowing with more than 80 games.

Company has established a strong position in the gaming market

mobile games growthLast Year, NetEase began taking steps to improve its position in the mobile gaming space. These efforts have proven successful, and this will allow the company to compete with others in the mobile space more effectively. While NetEase is expected to continue focusing heavily on online gaming, particularly where traditional PC games are concerned, the mobile space may begin to take up more of the company’s focus this year.

NetEase may see more growth during the first quarter of this year

Analysts expect that NetEase’s net revenue for the first quarter of 2016 will grow by 126%, but the company has not yet released any information concerning the most recent quarter. If mobile games continue to prove lucrative for the company, revenue growth will likely be secured. It will, of course, have to ensure that its games are quite attractive to consumers that rely on their smartphones and tablets for entertainment.

MasterCard to launch selfie system for mobile payments

| February 25, 2016

MasterCard is bringing its Selfie Pay system to the UK

MasterCard has announced plans to invest in facial recognition technology more aggressively in the coming years. This announcement comes as MasterCard attempts to reduce the number of false transactions that occur within the mobile space, as well as improving the security of mobile payments overall. The company has been testing its new “Selfie Pay” system in the United States and the Netherlands and will soon bring the service to the United Kingdom, though consumers will have to pay to use it.

Selfie Pay will allow people to use their pictures as a way to verify a mobile transaction

Those using the Selfie Pay system can opt to scan a picture of their face to verify mobile transactions. This picture will be stored online on MasterCard’s servers. The picture will serve as a reference for when consumers want to use facial recognition to authenticate a transaction. Because this information is difficult to tamper with, MasterCard believes that facial recognition technology could be an adequate way to protect consumer information in the mobile commerce space.

Mobile security remains a top priority for MasterCard

MasterCard has been fighting to improve mobile security for some time. The company believes that new identification systems are needed to minimize the number of fraudulent transactions being made in the mobile space. False declines are also a problem, with MasterCard noting that the value of false declines per year has reached $118 billion. This is 13 times higher than the amount lost through credit card fraud every year.

Selfie Pay system is coming to 14 countries later this year

MasterCard is preparing to launch its Selfie Pay system in 14 countries later in the year. The company notes that those testing the system have responded positively, saying that it is both easy to use and does not affect the convenience of mobile payments. With more secure systems in place, more consumers are likely to participate in the mobile commerce space. Security has been a major concern for consumers in recent years, especially as mobile commerce systems have become more prominent and attractive targets.