Hong joins Gameone as mobile gaming surges

James Hong has revealed his next move since stepping as Sony Computer Entertainment GM last week.Hong has takes on the role of CEO at mobile game-focused digital entertainment developer Gameone Group."I decided to move to video game industry 15 years ago because of its bright growth prospect. Today's mobile game market, just like video game15 years ago, is now at its preliminary stage with high growth potential," Hong said.He added the company will invest HK$20 million in mobile gaming and is expected to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange within three years.Gameone has shifted its operations focus from webgames to mobile games last year to bolster revenue growth, with the launches of a mobile gaming platform GameApp.hk and its first mobile game, Teddyboy3G.The game has been well received in Hong Kong with over 15,000 active users on launch day.Mobile game appeals to a wider demographic because of its high mobility and simplicity, he said. Mobile game market is a highly profitable business as barriers to entry the market is lower than video and online game, but at the same time, it brings higher ROI."The whole video game industry is deteriorating," he said,"Japan's CESA (Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association) released a report last year showing that the overall business in video game industry in Japan has tumbled one trillion to the level back in 2007. The down trend is attributed mainly to the surging mobile game industry."Yan Ngai Sze, chairman of Gameone added: "We have only launched two mobile games this year and they already brought HK$10 million to the company. We are looking for a greater growth next year at least two to three times more than this year."Sze said unlike webgames, marketing via mobile games requires higher flexibility as they are now targeting all population."Apart form advertising online, we will also focus on conducing more off-line activities such as outdoor events to promote our games as it is the most direct way to reach out to potential users who are not digital savvy," he added.Targeting Hong Kong and Taiwan, Gameapps.hk has most recently secured two mobile game including Changyou.Com Ltd's “Fate Hero Apps" as well as Taomee's "Reverse World", and expected to launch one new mobile game each month.