Hong Kong Game Enhancement Scheme Fuels Success for Local Developers
30th March 2025 – The global video game industry is fiercely competitive, necessitating effective marketing strategies for success. The Hong Kong Game Enhancement & Promotion Scheme has emerged as a vital support system for local startups, with some achieving revenues exceeding $10 million and yielding remarkable results.
Chris Choi has nurtured a passion for programming since childhood, dedicating his studies to creating a mobile music game. His debut title offers a unique rhythm-based experience, requiring players to tap along to the beat while spinning their phones in the air, adding a physical dimension that sets it apart from traditional games.
The game’s promotional video serendipitously gained traction on a Mainland video platform, amassing 500,000 views and positive feedback within a week. Motivated by this success, Choi resolved to pursue a career in the electronic gaming sector.
Despite limited experience in business, Choi capitalized on his game design expertise to secure a grant of $550,000 from the Hong Kong Game Enhancement & Promotion Scheme, primarily for marketing initiatives. This funding enabled him to collaborate with various music labels, resulting in significant achievements.
The game has attracted a substantial player base from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Europe, and the United States, with downloads surpassing one million and revenues exceeding $10 million. Choi credits the scheme for facilitating his business growth, providing not just funding but also invaluable marketing knowledge that significantly enhanced the prospects of his game.
As the Chinese gaming industry matures, local developers are seizing opportunities within this expanding market. Jacky Chou, another game producer benefiting from the scheme, is developing a comedy-adventure game that highlights the unique aspects of Hong Kong’s culture.
“This adventure game is heavily influenced by pop culture and features a variety of gameplay mechanics,” he explained. Chou noted that the scheme has been instrumental in arranging game testing and offering diverse training, including marketing strategies and investor attraction.
Utilizing the funding, he has also collaborated with key opinion leaders for extensive advertising campaigns and promoted the game offline at various exhibitions.
The recent awards ceremony for the 4th Hong Kong Game Enhancement & Promotion Scheme, sponsored by the Cultural & Creative Industries Development Agency, recognized 12 local startup game companies with reimbursement grants ranging from $450,000 to $550,000.
Gabriel Pang, Chairman of the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association, highlighted the scheme’s success, noting that approximately one-third of participating companies achieve profitability, with one in twelve typically generating over $10 million in revenue, often with between 500,000 to one million downloads.
“The gaming industry is substantial, which is why we initiated the Hong Kong Game Enhancement & Promotion Scheme. We aim to assist developers in marketing their games effectively,” Pang stated. He emphasized that Hong Kong’s diverse gaming styles enable it to adapt to various cultures, reinforcing its competitive edge.
