Google to back game developers

By Kim Yoo-chul

A senior Google executive said the U.S.-based software giant will increase its investment in Korean game developers to help them expand their global territories.

During a teleconference call, Chris Yerga, engineering director for Android at Google, said it plans to offer guidelines in design and user experience as well as a free translation service to Korean game developers who use the Google Play platform.

“When you use Google Play’s gaming service, you will be advised about details of design customization and guideline in user interface fitted in Android devices. Translation service with different languages and regions will also be available,” said the Google executive.

Stressing the popularity of Google Android devices, the executive said Korea is one of the key markets with Japan and the United States by revenue generation for Google Play, a digital distribution platform for applications for the Android OS.

Yerga said Google Play platform is appropriate for Korean developers seeking international expansion as the platform covers 1 billion users in 190 countries across the globe.

When asked about concerns that Google limits how local game developers launch content in Kakao Talk or Line, the executive said; “Openness is Google’s top priority. Google doesn’t apply different terms or guidelines in different game developers.”

The updated business plans is taken place amidst Google’s move to boost its revenue, here, thanks to support by developers and device manufacturers.

The world’s top smartphone vendor Samsung is the representative of the Google Android Alliance and Korea’s reliance on Google platform is increasing.

According to officials, Google generated some 800 billion won only from the Google Play Store business.

“Korea is a highly advanced mobile market where a large portion of consumers already possess a smartphone. Since LTE market penetration is rising in Korea, you would think that app download numbers would also be rising steadily throughout this year. Google Play revenue generation growth is sizzling, up six-fold since January 2012. In stark contrast, iOS app revenue has shown no growth in Korea this calendar year,” said Kim Baek-hyun, a senior game developer based in Seoul, by telephone.