Chinese online games earn 8.2 bln USD overseas in 2017: report

Attendees look at online games made by LT Game Ltd., a subsidiary of Paradise Entertainment Ltd., during the Macau Gaming Show (MGS) in Macau, China, Nov. 14, 2017. Macau regulators are strengthening their oversight of the almost $30 billion casino industry as they plan to release details next year of the renewal process for operators. [Photo: VCG]

Chinese online games raked in at least 8.2 billion U.S. dollars in the foreign market in 2017, up 14.5 percent year-on-year, said an industry report released Tuesday.

The 2017 China Gaming Industry Report, published by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, said China has emerged as a major exporter of online games. Chinese games are among some of the most popular foreign games in Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Southeast Asia.

But Chinese games have also broken new ground in markets outside Asia over the past year, securing a place in Europe, America, Russia and the Middle East, the report said. "Honor of Kings" and "Perfect World" are among the most popular Chinese online games.

The report said both big and small Chinese gaming companies are expanding their business overseas. Some set up overseas operations, while others gain a footing through merger and acquisitions.