Estimate: China to Export $250 Million in Game Accessories

A report released by Global Sources entitled China Sourcing Report: Gaming Devices shows the country is expected to export more than $250 million worth of video game accessories in 2006. Manufacturers estimate that 38 percent to these exports will go to North America, with 28 percent to Western Europe and 16 percent to Asia. The report, which profiles of 31 different manufacturing companies and features 87 export products, covers controllers, light guns, and other hardware, excluding consoles, and examines manufacturing, technology and pricing trends in mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. "Surveyed manufacturers supply controllers and other gaming accessories to leading brands including Philips, Samsung and Sony, and retailers including Wal-Mart, RadioShack and Carrefour,” said Report publisher, Mark Saunderson. “Makers handle nearly all of their manufacturing in mainland China. And they are increasing production in pace with the market's growth. In fact, PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates that the global video game market will expand at 16.5 percent annually to reach US$55 billion in 2009." The report also found that that most of these products are standard controllers for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, and GameCube, with steering wheels, light guns and other types of controllers being produced in smaller volumes. While much of the manufacturing of these peripherals is concentrated in Shenzhen, Zhongshan and Guangzhou, the report found that 80 percent of chipsets used by companies surveyed are sourced from Taiwan suppliers. "Among the new products that manufacturers plan to introduce this year are 2.4GHz radio-frequency wireless controllers with extended operating range,” Saunderson added. "They also expect to produce more Bluetooth-capable units, and controllers with integral liquid crystal displays."