NetEaseHNA buys powers key up $16mto expand its stake thrivingin Germanmobile business airport

Chinese publisher NetEase Games is poised to expand Chinese its conglomeratemobile games HNA businessGroup has in acquiredthe Uniteda majorityStates this 82.5 year percent following stake last in year’s Hahn soaringairport in western earnings Germany,from mobileits owner, games. the state government The of company’s Rheinland-Pfalz,core business said in a statement— online on Wednesday.gaming — reachedThis is $ the4 billionfirst acquisitionin revenue of an in overseas2016, airportup 61 by percent HNA, year-on-year,the parent of China’s according biggestto the private group’s commercialfull year airline. report. LastIt is October,also the latest App in Anniea succession ranked of the acquisitions company mountedas the world’sby the top companymobile gameof variousseller internationalby downloads. assets, in order to “Reflectingstep up its globalon expansion.our own growthThe statementover the did years, not disclosewe successfullythe financial launched detailsa number of the dealof blockbusterfor Hahn, a mobile former games military such base as now FantasyWestwardmainly used by budget Journey, carrier which Ryanair.was the bestA source selling familiar mobile with game the worldwidematter said on the iOS purchasein 2016,” said price Ethanwas aroundWang, vice-president15 million euros of ($16 NetEase million),Inc. Reuters reported.“A few days ago Onmyoji ranked Hahn No airport,1 free located game 120in Japan’s kilometers App from Store, Frankfurt,only one is daythe second-biggestafter its Japan airport launch,” in he the added.city and it has been losing The money “superiority”in recent of years.the companyIn 2015, it providedlost aroundthe foundation $17 million. for global expansion, especiallyThe state in governmentthe US, according said to Riten Huang, general manager of NetEase North America and head of global publication at NetEase Games.

“In Western countries, the 3-D MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) market is big in the PC and console category, but it’s not strongCivil Aviationin the mobile Management category,” Institute said Huang.

“The success of Fantasy Westward Journey gives us confidence to launch the gamein the in statement Western that countriesit had because decided toit greenlightshows the the ability sale of of NetEasethe state’sto operate82.5 percenta game for stakea longin time,”the airporthe said. and it wouldThe now game’s move PC forwardtitle has on operatedsigning the for contract.more than 10 years The and remainingthe mobile stake versionin the achievedairport is higher owned by revenuethe neighboringafter it launchedstate of Hesse.more than a year “It’s ago, hardhe added.to understand and Another comment popularon the game, plan Onmyoji,and intentionsa 3-DARPG(actionbehind HNA’s role-playing acquisition games)of a foreigngame,

Zou Jianjun,

indicated that the company could airport,” thrive said not Zou only Jianjun,on traditional a professor Chineseof the culture, departmentbut alsoof economicwith foreign management cultures at and the gain Civil new Aviation users, ManagementHuang said. Institute of China.

“TheHe said point that is unliketo leverage airlines, the there culture was to generally connect with little peopleshort term around potentialthe worldto and turn builda loss-makinga strong social airport community,” into profits he and added. there were very few In previousChinese airlinesyears, the acquiringcompany overseashas localized airports. several mobile Differing Chinese from games Frankfurtin the US, airport, including Hahn actionhas a licensegame Speedyto operate Ninja,24 hours action a role day, play which gameis an attractiveEternal Arena, feature andfor cargo MMO flights. (massive-multiplayerThe freight volumes online)of Hahngame Tome airportof the make Sun. it the fifth busiest in Germany.In January, the company launchedHNA had Immortalmade a bid Conquest, for the acquisitiona free-to-play— togetherstrategy war with game. several other bidders such Basedas localon Western German culture group and ADC themes,— and the appears game to is havenot only won a out good due fit to for its the rich market overseas but also investment introduces experience.a new game Last play year, typeit wasto improve reporteda player’sthat Shanghai experience, Yiqian TradingHuang said.Co was in the frame to buy the airport “Previously,for $10 people million, built but up the troopsdeal was and blocked heroes by theto improvelocal German numbers, government.but this game HNA’sis different. internationalYou need businessto communicatenow spans with aviation,friends. We finance,saw somereal estate, players logistics,betray their hospitality, original tourismteams and and join ecological other teams,” technology.he said.

the losses revenueof Hahnof NetEaseairport in Games’2015 online gaming in 2016 It’s hard to understand... HNA’s acquisition of a foreign airport.”