TECHNOLOGY / OVERSEAS EXPANSION : True to take online gaming business abroad

TECHNOLOGY / OVERSEAS EXPANSION : True to take online gaming business abroad.

SRISAMORN PHOOSUPHANUSORN

Stiff competition in the local online game market has prompted True Digital Entertainment Co to expand its business abroad, aiming to double its revenue this year.

The digital-content subsidiary of True Corporation wants to become a regional online game operator as it enters other Southeast Asian markets this year.

Isra Taulananda, general manager of True Digital Entertainment, said the company was looking to enter Singapore and Malaysia by mid-year, before tapping into Vietnam, Indonesia and Philippines by the end of this year.

The company is considering two options: setting up a new company or seeking a local partner for a joint venture.

True would be the licence holder while prospective partners would handle marketing activities and collect bills.

Mr Isra declined to elaborate on the size of the investment, but he said the company expected to realise revenue from abroad this year.

True Digital made its first profit of about 100 million baht in 2005.

He said the online game market in Southeast Asia was estimated to be worth four billion baht, with Vietnam having the highest potential.

The Thai digital game market is expected to grow by 15-20% this year to 1.4 billion baht. The number of online gamers in Thailand is expected to increase to four million, driven by the growing number of Internet and broadband users.

But Mr Isra said competition in the Thai online game market was intense, with a greater variety of game offerings from new providers. In addition, strict government regulations have impeded industry growth.

One of the latest entrants in the online game market is Silver Coins Co, which has introduced Trickster Online.

Founder Siriwat Kachornprasart, son of veteran politician Sanan Kachornprasart, said his company expected to attract 30,000 gamers within six months.

Bangkok Post
Monday January 15, 2007