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Chamber Programmes

Digital Entertainment
Mapping a Way Forward

The potential for Hong Kong to develop a thriving digital entertainment industry is enormous, says Legislator Sin Chung Kai, a long-standing champion of the sector.

Currently, around 350 companies in Hong Kong are involved in the design of digital entertainment products, which include TV, games and online services. A few years ago, the biggest challenge facing the sector was a shortage of skilled professionals. That issue has now been addressed thanks to universities offering more multimedia design degrees. One the greatest threats hanging over the growth of the digital entertainment industry now is piracy.

"Since piracy in Hong Kong is quite serious, most companies have decided to start designing online games," he says. "But even here there are problems since most of the 250 or so computer crimes reported in Hong Kong last year were related to cyber games."

In March 2002, a working group was set up to find solutions to problems facing the sector, including piracy. No clear solution has yet been found to tackle IPR issues, but software vendors in the U.S. are trying to thwart pirates by producing online software. On other issues, a number of recommendations have come out of the group's report, says Mr Sin. One area where much more effort needs to be put is on the R&D and marketing side of the industry.

Dr Gino Yu, Associate Professor, Head of Multimedia Innovation Centre, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, also speaking at the March 9 roundtable luncheon, echoed his views.

"In the U.S., when a movie is made, we have video games, promotional mer-chandise, sponsorships, toys etc., but in Hong Kong, when a movie comes out, that is all there is, just a movie," he said.

Ironically, most promotional merchandise that comes out with movies or the release of new games is generally made in China, often by Hong Kong-owned factories. He suggests Hong Kong businesses look more aggressively at packaging the whole movie and digital entertainment concept, not necessarily in the Western hemisphere, but definitely in Asia where Hong Kong celebrities are quite well known.