OCT. 28, 2009 • Chinese online game companies flush with cash after successful IPOs have ambitions of bringing their products to the West in much the same way as Korean publishers have. Last September, Shanda Games was carved out of Shanda Interactive with a goal of expanding into other world markets.  Back in April, Changyou’s IPO brought in $120 million, which is helping to bring the publisher’s Dragon Oath MMO to the U.S. in 2010.

Impact: Expanding into other markets makes a great deal of sense, but it is easier said than done.  Outside of NCsoft and Nexon, the Korean companies have not made a huge impact in the West.  Even NCsoft and Nexon are much more successful in Korea than they are in other markets.  The main thing the Chinese companies have going for them is a great deal of money from a highly profitable business model.  One area where they could have the most impact is in emerging markets like South America or Eastern Europe.