Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Online gaming revenues soar in China]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/online-gaming-revenues-soar-in-china/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/online-gaming-revenues-soar-in-china/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/online-gaming-revenues-soar-in-china/#commentsFiled under: ,

Online gaming revenues soared in China to 6.18 billion RMB (USD 906 million) in the second quarter of 2009, according to Reuters. They cite data from Analysys International, a research firm which states China's online game revenues for Q2 2009 were up 39.5 percent over last year. Among the top three earners (trailing behind Tencent Holdings and Shanda Games) was NetEase, the company which is presently the licensed operator of World of Warcraft in China. Reuters states that NetEase saw revenues of 780 million RMB (USD 114 million) in the second quarter of this year.

This continual growth of online gaming in China has been a key issue with legislators in recent years. The Chinese media's coverage of internet and gaming addiction has intensified, and there is now increased government scrutiny of the virtual currencies and economies these games have given rise to. It's not just a China issue, as foreign companies are either operating online games in the country or have been eyeing this lucrative market. As we mentioned on Monday, the issue of regulating foreign game operation in China may be coming to a head with the current struggle between the General Administration of Press and Publications (GAPP) and the Ministry of Culture. Whatever agreement is reached between these government agencies will determine the future of foreign online game operations in the country.

[Via GamePolitics]

MassivelyOnline gaming revenues soar in China originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinagamepoliticsgappgovernmentlegallegislationmmo-industrypoliticsreutersworld-of-warcraftwowwow-chinaThu, 15 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sweden extending taxation into the virtual]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/sweden-extending-taxation-into-the-virtual/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/sweden-extending-taxation-into-the-virtual/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/21/sweden-extending-taxation-into-the-virtual/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Sweden is taking aim at online tax evasion and the estimated five billion Swedish krona (SEK) in annual undeclared income by the country's citizens. (This equates to roughly USD 645 million.) While much of this is revenue from "online marketplaces, porn, and astrology sites", undeclared income from games and virtual worlds are included in that figure. In fact, the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) looked at the sales of avatars and characters in 'computer games' over a 14 month period, with a collective advertised sum of 662 million SEK (USD 85 million). No income was declared on any of these transactions so it's a safe bet they'll be scrutinizing these sales moving forward.

Although the specific virtual worlds and games aren't named, GameCulture adds that the virtual property Skatteverket is looking at exchanged hands between 7000 gamers and residents. Also interesting is what GamePolitics turned up on the situation -- "even U.S. citizens could be subject to Swedish taxation on such virtual transactions, according to the Economics of Virtual Worlds blog."

MassivelySweden extending taxation into the virtual originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avataravatarseconomygameculturegamepoliticslegalmmo-industryskatteverketswedenswedish-tax-agencytaxtaxationtaxesvirtual-goodsvirtual-itemsvirtual-worldsTue, 21 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Do WoW players make better citizens?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/do-wow-players-make-better-citizens/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/do-wow-players-make-better-citizens/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/do-wow-players-make-better-citizens/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


With all the negativity that mainstream media (sometimes) dishes out on video games, we always like to see when the positive stories get picked up. That's the case with today's article at The Capital Times that focuses on MMOs and their impact on society. Reporting for The Capital Times, Jeff Richgels asks, "Can massively multiplayer online games like World of Warcraft produce better citizens?" His article covers the work of Constance Steinkuehler, a University of Wisconsin-Madison education professor who's been studying the social dynamics inherent to MMOs, namely World of Warcraft.

Her work focuses on how massively multiplayer online games expose players to a wide range of diversity. Steinkuehler's recent presentation at the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences was ultimately about how navigating that diversity makes players into better citizens, and more open to discussion with their peers.

Continue reading Do WoW players make better citizens?

MassivelyDo WoW players make better citizens? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academiccitizenshipconstance-steinkuehlerculturediversityfantasygamepoliticsjeff-richgelsmmo-industrythe-capital-timesworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 12 Feb 2009 10:00:00 EST