Games Researchers Target Emerging Markets

US video game market intelligence firms DFC Intelligence and Nico Partners have joined forces to form DFC-Nico Emerging Markets, which will offer clients data about the video game industry across 10 emerging markets.

Niko Partners has focused on providing specialized market intelligence on China's video game industry since 2003, while DFC has specialized in market intelligence on the video game industry in North America, Europe, Japan and worldwide since 1994.

The new unit will conduct research studies about gamers, online games, offline games, consoles, handhelds, regulatory issues, piracy, development, online operators, Internet cafés, distribution and retail.

Initially, the countries covered by the new service include Brazil, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. The firm's primary data collection will be conducted by locals in each country, and the aggregation, market models, forecasts and analyses will be managed in the US.

'When Niko started covering China in 2003, a legitimate game market barely existed. Now, China is the largest PC game market in the world,' stated Lisa Hanson, Managing Partner of Niko Partners. 'We specifically chose markets that have enough maturity to justify potential investment, and will be offering consulting services that support market entry as well.'

The firms plan wider coverage and more frequent reports for the future. Each study will include market trends, quantitative and qualitative analysis, market sizing, and 5-year forecasts.

Web site: www.dfc-niko.com .