Publishing In China

Solar2D General Questions/Discussion
#1

Hello guys and gals.  Earlier this year I read a few articles saying (in effect) that big changes were coming for the mobile market in China.  To-date, I haven’t had time to follow up on this.  

However, this recent post made me start thinking about it again.  (The post was about ads in China).

I’m opening this thread in the hopes that some regular readers/posters out there have real and concrete experience publishing games in the Chinese market.

So, if you have any experience in this arena, please post back and share your knowledge, experiences, and stories.  

Oh, the big change can be summarize  thus:

… As of earlier this year, all apps will need approval from the SAPPRFT before appearing in the app store.

…

To get approved, you must fill out a mountain of paperwork, load your game into an Android and iOS phone, and send this package to the SAPPRFT at least 20 days before your launch. Sound complex? This is the just simplified process. The standard process can take up to 3 months.

#2

There is a lot more to it… localisation is a must as it getting a Chinese publisher.  Regarding localisation, this is more than just language, cultural changes can be massive for certain games.  Things Like Facebook and YouTube integration are also a big no.  There are over 300 app stores to content with although there are 10 big ones.

Here is an interesting read - 8 tips for marketing your app in China

It is a massive market and one I’d obviously like to sell in to so I would also be interest in hearing if anyone has been through the process.

#3

AppLovin have confirmed they do serve ads in China.

#4

@hogletpie, Thanks for posting back!  That is good to know.

#5

@roaminggamer - glad to.

Also, I have noticed that AdMob does serve ads in China.

Sadly, the percentage is 2.35% served in relation to ads requested for the last 7 days! :frowning:

#6

There are several problems with this case .but the main problem is monetization .

Base of monetization on Chinese app market is in app purchases .

But unfortunately corona IAP plugins are not enough flexible.

Given that most app stores in China, uses google IAP and have created only minor changes in its code. corona have not any documentation for IAP plugins to compatibility and adaptation with this changes.

#7

I think not as Google is currently banned in China…

#8

Since the iOS app store algorithm update end of May, our installs in China increased 460% compared to the previous period and that’s 190K installs according to iTunesConnect (if you trust it 100%)

In terms of ad impressions served in China, we’ve ONLY had: 

  • 9 impressions, Applovin

  • 1979 impressions, Admob

  1. So, things don’t match up. Is there a method we can use to determine if these users are indeed real? 

  2. What supported ad networks really serve ads in China? 

Ben

#9

I too have experienced large increases in downloads in China - and to a lesser extent - Japan.

Yet my bootups have not increased on the Chartboost portal. Nor do my IAPs come from China or Japan. Possible conclusion? Airplane mode while playing apps in China and Japan. Not sure …?

#10

Internet seems pretty accessible in China, it’s ranked 91 in the world, and it’s relatively cheap…seems unlike all my installs turned on airplane mode after install, would be really inconvenient. 

#11

I did create a Fortumo Plugin which is designed for markets like China.

https://marketplace.coronalabs.com/plugin/fortumo 

#12

There is a lot more to it… localisation is a must as it getting a Chinese publisher.  Regarding localisation, this is more than just language, cultural changes can be massive for certain games.  Things Like Facebook and YouTube integration are also a big no.  There are over 300 app stores to content with although there are 10 big ones.

Here is an interesting read - 8 tips for marketing your app in China

It is a massive market and one I’d obviously like to sell in to so I would also be interest in hearing if anyone has been through the process.

#13

AppLovin have confirmed they do serve ads in China.

#14

@hogletpie, Thanks for posting back!  That is good to know.

#15

@roaminggamer - glad to.

Also, I have noticed that AdMob does serve ads in China.

Sadly, the percentage is 2.35% served in relation to ads requested for the last 7 days! :frowning:

#16

There are several problems with this case .but the main problem is monetization .

Base of monetization on Chinese app market is in app purchases .

But unfortunately corona IAP plugins are not enough flexible.

Given that most app stores in China, uses google IAP and have created only minor changes in its code. corona have not any documentation for IAP plugins to compatibility and adaptation with this changes.

#17

I think not as Google is currently banned in China…

#18

Since the iOS app store algorithm update end of May, our installs in China increased 460% compared to the previous period and that’s 190K installs according to iTunesConnect (if you trust it 100%)

In terms of ad impressions served in China, we’ve ONLY had: 

  • 9 impressions, Applovin

  • 1979 impressions, Admob

  1. So, things don’t match up. Is there a method we can use to determine if these users are indeed real? 

  2. What supported ad networks really serve ads in China? 

Ben

#19

I too have experienced large increases in downloads in China - and to a lesser extent - Japan.

Yet my bootups have not increased on the Chartboost portal. Nor do my IAPs come from China or Japan. Possible conclusion? Airplane mode while playing apps in China and Japan. Not sure …?

#20

Internet seems pretty accessible in China, it’s ranked 91 in the world, and it’s relatively cheap…seems unlike all my installs turned on airplane mode after install, would be really inconvenient.