China’s gaming landscape is evolving into a more advanced environment than in the west (or even Japan), particularly in the casual game business models and game play. However, I still feel that the other shoe still needs to drop for local Chinese game companies. WoW was and is still disruptive as a wake up call in the China gaming sector. New technologies from the west coupled with new business models for games in China will be an awesome combination to behold..but only for some companies. The bar for graphics, game play, design and now service continues to rise in China. Can local game companies keep pace with this advance or will they require both capital and technology from western companies?

Given the sudden correction in the Chinese stock market (and the US markets) there are jitters as well by investors that a lot of the Chinese technology and game companies have to come back to Earth. I wrote this 2 years ago on chinatechnews.com and I still think its going to happen. Speaking of games, if you are at GDC and want to meet send me a mail at onebill@microsoft.com .

Competitors
There are three main types of competitors you need to worry about.

Direct – These are the people trying to take your customers away from you right now.
Example: Nike and Reebok
Indirect — You might not see these companies as competitors, but when your customers have a limited budget they may choose to spend money somewhere else. Your customer may buy a new sweater instead of a sweatshirt. He may buy a new cellphone instead of an MP3 player.
Example: Nike and Baleno
Potential — The most dangerous competitor is the one you don’t know about yet. Competitors can come from different regions or countries or from different industries.
Example: Nike and NewCompanyX or Nike and AustrialliaCompanyX

China Question: Who may enter the market and become a competitor in the future?
Answer: EVERYONE!

In school library organizations I do not believe we are so entrenched managerially to prohibit participation of others in professional organizations. If you are new and talk to me, I will connect you with someone and get you involved. That is a warning because I practice what I preach. Just ask those librarians I met socially in Seattle and through emails who are now all on committees.

Perhaps those who are concerned with others needing to pay their dues have forgotten how to listen. When you practice perceptive listening, you can help someone who is new hone their message and develop strategies to implement change. Mentoring is a wonderful thing. It helps me to grow constantly and forces me to live up to the standards that I preach.