Computer games do not normally fall under the category of
national interest but they are in China. Two projects on computer
game research have been enlisted into China's "863" project. It's
the very first time computer game technology has become the subject
of national scientific research.
Five million RMB, or?US$620,000, have been invested into
these two projects. With the popularity of Internet, computer games
have become an industry. Last year, computer games pulled in
earnings of RMB 910 million, or?US$110 million. And it also
helped contribute RMB 7 billion, about US$870 million to the
telecommunications industry. Li Wuqiang, deputy department chief
with the??Ministry of Science
and Technology explains.
?
"The projects will focus on the engine of computer games, which
is just like a car engine. With the engine, we can make more games
more quickly," said Li Wuqiang.
In Japan, South Korea and America, computer games have already
created large profits for the countries. In Japan, computer game
profits surpassed that of the iron and steel industry. In South
Korea, it's more profitable than the auto industry. And in America,
it's gone beyond the film industry. It's hoped China's investment
in the computer games industry will help it better serve the users
and earn greater profits.
(CCTV.com September 1, 2003)