[photopress:it_baidu_games.jpg,full,alignright]Baidu.com is going to make a serious move on the online game sector in China.
The country’s No. 1 Internet search engine provider has already announced expansion into the instant messaging and online auction business.
Now, through cooperation with five game operators, including Shanda Entertainment, Baidu has launched its game site.
[photopress:it_baidugames_2.jpg,full,alignleft]It is initially offering six browser games: Zongheng Tianxia, Tiankong Zuo’an, Fangbianmian Sanguo, Luanwu Chunqiu, Empire, and XBA Manager. You can see the basic idea at http://youxi.baidu.com.
At the moment these are free altough it is unlikely that will long continue.
[photopress:it_baidugames3.jpg,full,alignright]Baidu, in a statement, said, ‘The games are Web-based, therefore they don’t require high-standard computers. The games on Baidu’s platform are green and healthy, without too much blood.’
Whether that is a sure and certain way to success is open to debate.
China’s online game market revenue was RMB12.8 billion ($1.83 billion) in 2007, and the figure will hit RMB40.1 billion in 2011, according to Analysys International, a Beijing-based IT consulting firm.
Robin Li, Baidu chief executive and chairman said Baidu’s new services aim to improve user loyalty and profitability of the company’s core search business.
Robin Lin said Baidu Hi, its new instant message tool, has been in public testing, and Baidu’s auction Website will debut this year.
Source: China View