Why Dont Games Do China Only Server

Why Don’t Games Do China-Only Servers?

Okay, let’s talk about something that might have crossed your mind if you love playing video games: why don’t we see more games with servers just for players in China? It seems like it would make sense, right? China has a huge number of gamers, and sometimes we see them playing on our servers, and things can get a little laggy or confusing. But there’s a lot more to it than just setting up a server. Let’s dive into the reasons why it’s not always that simple.

The Great Firewall and Internet Infrastructure

One of the biggest hurdles is something called the Great Firewall of China. It’s like a giant gatekeeper for the internet in China. This firewall blocks lots of websites and services that are common in other parts of the world, such as Google, Facebook, and even some game servers. So, even if a game company wanted to set up a China-only server, they’d have to make sure their server can work with the Great Firewall, which is not an easy thing to do. This might involve using a special internet connection within China, which adds more difficulty and expenses. Here are some things to consider about internet infrastructure:

• Regulations and Censorship: China has strict rules about what kind of content can be shown. Games have to go through a review process and get approval before they can be released. This process can be long and complicated, and games might have to make changes to fit the guidelines. Some games may not even get approval. This means game developers have to tailor their content, making sure there are no images or ideas that China does not agree with. Think of it as having to follow a specific set of rules for a school project, but those rules are different for different countries.
• Connection Speed and Reliability: The internet infrastructure within China, while large, can sometimes have different speeds and reliability compared to other regions. This means that even if a game has servers in China, the game experience might not be smooth for everyone. Lag, disconnections, and other issues can happen if the internet is not fast enough or working consistently.

Licensing and Legal Complexities

It’s not just about setting up a server and letting people play. There are a lot of rules and laws a company needs to follow. In China, these rules are particularly strict. The government has a big say in what games are allowed and how they can be played. This brings up several points:

Game Approval Process

Before a game can be legally sold and played in China, it needs to get an approval from the Chinese government. This is a big deal, and it involves showing the game and getting a special license number. Some game developers can’t get the approval, and that’s why their games aren’t in China. The process is long and expensive. This means they have to adapt their games to match the cultural sensitivity of the Chinese gamers. This may include removing characters or ideas that are not deemed suitable. The whole procedure often delays game releases in China as compared to the rest of the world.

Publishing Partnerships

Many foreign game companies partner with a local Chinese company to help them get through all of the legal stuff. These local publishers know all the rules and have experience working with the government. They assist with submitting games for approval and making sure they meet the local standards. Finding a suitable publishing partner requires extensive research and negotiation. The publisher is essential for the success of a game in the Chinese market. But it’s also another step and expense that companies have to handle.

Data Storage Requirements

China has laws about where data about Chinese players should be stored. This often means that game companies need to set up servers inside China to keep that data safe. The cost of setting up and maintaining servers and data storage facilities within China can be really high. In some instances the rules are so precise that companies need to make sure that all the data storage methods and servers are up to the standards, which requires extra time and money.

The Cost of Running Separate Servers

Setting up and keeping a game server running is like taking care of a giant, complicated machine. It costs a lot of money, time, and people to do it right. Now, think about having to do that twice – one set of servers for the rest of the world, and another set just for China. This doubles almost everything, so let’s take a look at all these additional costs:

Hardware and Maintenance Costs

Buying all the computer servers is expensive, but it’s not the end of the costs. Companies have to keep those servers running perfectly and that requires lots of maintenance. They need to make sure the servers are working every day so that players can play smoothly. Plus, they also have to pay for things like electricity and internet service to keep the servers up and running. They have to hire special people to keep a constant watch on all these systems. When companies are thinking about a China-only server, they have to think about all these extra costs involved.

Staffing and Localization Costs

If the company runs a server in China they will need extra support staff that understand Chinese language. They will need special staff to work in China and manage the server. These people will need to be familiar with Chinese laws and be able to communicate with players in China. Also, the game might need to be translated into Chinese and made suitable for the Chinese audience. It includes making voice-overs, re-doing texts in Chinese language. These things require more resources and a lot of time to do well. Here is what these tasks would involve:

• Dedicated Chinese customer support: The developers need to employ a team that speaks the local language and understands local customs.
• Translation of game text and audio: Translation and dubbing into Mandarin is a must, which involves considerable costs and coordination.
• Cultural adaptation: The game content might need alterations to suit Chinese taste. This is especially vital for games that contain imagery or themes that might be deemed unsuitable in China.

Lower Player Population for China Server

While the player population in China is huge, if we divide the server, then the number of players on the China server will be far less than the main server. With fewer players, game companies might worry that it won’t be as fun to play. It can also lead to a situation where there aren’t enough players available to create a game. So, games end up being difficult to join, or they take too long to start. When servers do not have enough players it’s hard for players to find matches. This problem can damage the player’s interest in the game.

Community Fragmentation and Game Balance

When a game has servers only for players from China, it means that gamers from China can’t play with their friends in other parts of the world. This can be a letdown if you have friends from different countries and want to play together. It can cause multiple issues like:

Separation of Global Communities

Having separate servers means that the global game community is cut into separate pieces. Gamers lose the chance to meet with others and build friendships. This makes the overall game experience feel a bit isolated. A player may lose the feeling of playing a game with people from around the world. It also impacts the social aspect of online gaming.

Game Balance Issues

If the game community is split, the developers might find that there are different player levels and skills on separate servers. They could have to spend more time and effort to adjust the game for both servers so that it’s fair. They would need to monitor the game on different servers to see what is going on. This would require them to do frequent adjustments to make sure the game is fun and balanced. The task of balancing one game twice for two servers is not easy.

Content Differences

If a server is specifically for China, game developers might need to change some aspects of the game’s content. It is possible that they have different events or rewards for China than for the rest of the world. The players may feel as if the game is not the same across the world and could get divided.

Alternative Solutions and Compromises

Even though it is very difficult to have a China-only server, there are some other ways that game companies try to make playing easier for everyone. Some of these compromises are

Regional Servers and Pinging

Instead of a server just for China, many games have servers in Asia. Chinese gamers can connect to these servers. These regional servers are not solely based in China, but are closer to Chinese gamers so they get a better ping, which means faster connection to the game, and smoother game experience. This can help to reduce lag, and they do not have to go all the way to western or other country’s servers. The compromise works for some extent.

VPN Usage

Some gamers might use something called a VPN, or Virtual Private Network, to try and play on servers that are not in their region. This can help them play with their friends, but it can also make the game laggy and not as much fun. Companies try to fix the server problems caused by VPN usage. But some players try to find ways to make sure that they can play on other servers with the help of VPN.

Global Server Improvements

Many game companies put money and effort into making the servers better. They try to improve the way the game connects so everyone around the world can have a good time. They are using technology to minimize lag, wherever gamers are in the world. This helps make sure that everybody plays without issues, no matter where they are in the world. So they invest in these things to make the global server work better.

In short, the decision to not have China-only servers is not simple. It’s a mix of legal barriers, technological challenges, and business decisions. Game companies have to think about how much it will cost, if it’s even possible to get their game approved, and how to balance the game for all different types of players. All these factors show us that setting up a server just for China is not as simple as it seems.