Research Paper on Gaming in the Asia-Pacific Region

Gaming in the Asia-Pacific region is a huge market, and takes diverse forms which range from massive multiplayer online games to illegal gambling parlors. Within the region, gaming has been seen in a variety of ways, and has an entrenched and diverse role in the Asia-Pacific region. This research paper will discuss trends in gaming in the Asia-Pacific region, with respect to gaming as a form of illicit entertainment, ritual and stress relief in the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on East Asia and South-East Asia. This paper will argue that gaming serves a vital role in the Asia-Pacific region, as it allows Asians to pursue entertainment in an institutionalised setting, as a ritual to pursue good fortune, and as a stress reliever in stressful urban environments. Games such as electronic sports, Japanese pachinko, lotteries and casino slot machines will be discussed in this paper.

Overview of gaming in Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific remains one of the world’s largest markets for gaming. Mobile games, mass multiplayer online games, gambling dens, casinos and lotteries have remained staples of the Asia Pacific gaming scene, while hubs such as Hong Kong, Macau, Zhuhai and Singapore have risen on the back of a gaming boom to develop tourism within their countries. (Hsu and Gu, 2010) Nonetheless, gaming remains heavily stigmatised and is often perceived as a significant source of harmful social impacts. Gaming franchises such as DOTA, League of Legends and Runescape have also made major inroads into various settings in Asia Pacific, such as online gaming arenas and internet cafes. Gaming franchises produced by the region, such as the Japanese Pokemon franchise and the South Korean produced Maplestory series, have also received critical acclaim both in the Asia Pacific region and globally.