G-Star 2008 is a key event in one of the world’s most important games markets. It expects to attract 150 game publishers and developers and over 150,000 visitors. All of the major Korean games firms including NHN, NC Soft, JC Entertainment, Samsung Electronics and SK Telecom will be participating in the show.

UKTI Seoul will have a booth at G-Star 2008 and are inviting interested UK games companies and sector multipliers to display brochures/show their promotional CD/DVDs or/and also show their games at the booth. There will be no charge for this arrangement, but UK companies will have to cover all costs of shipping/freighting promotional materials to send to the British Embassy (UKTI), Seoul.

Korea has the most advanced ICT infrastructure in the world and is the No. 1 online gaming country, holding more than a 30% global share. Its game market was worth £2.5 billion in 2007.

Online games was the most popular game platform with a 75.1% share followed, by video (console) games with 14.1% and mobile game with 8.4%. One of the key factors driving online games growth in Korea was the development of Internet cafes, of which there are currently 20,607 across the nation. There is also a huge base of game enthusiasts, with more than 60% of a Korean population of nearly 50 m, having played at least one game.

Imports of games reached US$389.54 million in 2007 of which Video games had the largest market share, accounting for a 81.8% market share, followed by on-line and PC games.

As a result of fierce competition from existing export markets, Korean firms are now increasingly exploring opportunities in new markets, especially in Europe. Although the on-line game market in Europe is not as yet as well developed as other countries like China, Japan and USA, the immediate interest for Korean companies lies in servicing their on-line/mobile games in Europe through partnerships with European firms. There are good opportunities for UK firms with technology in game servicing middleware/solutions and creativity for content development and also for UK IDCs (Internet Data Centre) as well as game publishing services for the European market.

For more information go to https://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/.

To apply download the attached application form and email to Youngju.Kim@fco.gov.uk the UKTI Trade and Investment Officer in Seoul

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