Niko News is a filter of the most important news items and bits of information concerning the games markets of China and Southeast Asia uncovered by Niko each week. Our multilingual analysts review dozens of news sources from several countries, and as a team Niko reduces the long list of articles to 3-4 "must read" items for you. We then provide our Niko analysis to these items, making them relevant and highlighting the importance for the market. This service is one of the many ways we help distill the confusing, conflicting information about the games markets of Asia for our clients and readers. 

Last week most Chinese were celebrating Chinese New Year and there was not a lot of interesting industry news for us to comment on. In lieu of news commentary, we are publishing the results of our February 2013 Mini Survey in China to get a pulse on the demand for game consoles. This survey had no screening criteria and closed within 5 days. There were 1,005 respondents.

Question 1: If the current ban on game consoles was reversed, would you want to purchase one?

a) No, I have no interest in a console, ban or no ban. 413  (41.09%)

b) No, because I already own a console. 95  (9.45%)

c) Yes, I'd be eager to purchase one if it were legal. 174  (17.31%)

d) Yes, I already own a console but I would purchase another one if it were legal. 72  (7.16%)

e) Unsure, in fact I did not know that there was a ban on consoles. 251  (24.98%)

Q2：If you had access to Xbox Live or PSN for your console so you could play with your friends, would you want it?

a) No, I never plan to play console games. 385  (38.31%)

b) Yes, that is the best way to play.  264  (26.27%)

c) No, my system is modded now so I do not want to connect to a live network. 112  (11.14%)

d) No, if I play multiplayer games they will be PC online games or mobile games.   110  (10.95%)

e) It does not matter to me if I play on the network or only single-player.  134  (13.33%)

Q3：Assuming you could purchase a console legally, how would you want to pay for the games?

(1)  I never plan to play console games.  380  (37.81%)

(2)  I would want to download them for free. 339  (33.73%)

(3)  I would want to use a modded system for free games. 116  (11.54%)

(4)  I would want to purchase packaged software in a store 65.  (6.47%)

(5)  I would want to pay to download games. 31  (3.08%)

(6)  If the games are legitimate and come with customer service, I would want to purchase packaged software in a store.  29  (2.89%)

(7)  If the games are legitimate and come with customer service, I would want to pay to download.  45  (4.48%)