Mickey Mouse Gets “Shanghai’d”

China’s top game developer, Shanda Interactive Entertainment is will be bringing the Wonderful World of Disney to the Chinese gaming market, which is expected to quadruple in the next four years.

Gaming revenues in China reached nearly $69 million USD last year, and is expected to top $210 million by 2010. This deal will be helpful both to Shanda and Disney, Inc., as it will place the former in a stronger position in the highly competitive MMORPG industry, and allow the latter to enter the potentially lucrative Chinese market.

According to Shanda, a  puzzle, digital chess, and card games with Disney’s characters will be available in China next spring.

“Disney’s rich content library, combined with Shanda’s capabilities as a leading online game operator, will bring a new, unique and fun experience for the online game consumer,” says Mark Handler, executive vice president and managing director of Walt Disney Internet Group.

Chen Tianqiao, chairman and CEO of Shanda, adds, “Disney’s wholesome content will further broaden our user demographic.”

This deal is one step Disney is taking toward expanding its presence in China. It is also negotiating with the Shanghai government to build a theme park, similar to the one opened in Hong Kong recently.

China’s top game developer, Shanda Interactive Entertainment is will be bringing the Wonderful World of Disney to the Chinese gaming market, which is expected to quadruple in the next four years.

Gaming revenues in China reached nearly $69 million USD last year, and is expected to top $210 million by 2010. This deal will be helpful both to Shanda and Disney, Inc., as it will place the former in a stronger position in the highly competitive MMORPG industry, and allow the latter to enter the potentially lucrative Chinese market.

According to Shanda, a  puzzle, digital chess, and card games with Disney’s characters will be available in China next spring.

“Disney’s rich content library, combined with Shanda’s capabilities as a leading online game operator, will bring a new, unique and fun experience for the online game consumer,” says Mark Handler, executive vice president and managing director of Walt Disney Internet Group.

Chen Tianqiao, chairman and CEO of Shanda, adds, “Disney’s wholesome content will further broaden our user demographic.”

This deal is one step Disney is taking toward expanding its presence in China. It is also negotiating with the Shanghai government to build a theme park, similar to the one opened in Hong Kong recently.