Could China become a gaming force? One developer wants to make it happen

Shanghai-based studio Pixpil is trying to bring video games into Chinese homes - no easy feat in a country that only just lifted its ban on foreign consoles such as PlayStation and Xbox

Think of the word "China" and one of two ideas should come to mind: either the country, or the crockery sat in your kitchen cupboard. This synonym in the English language is testament to the reputation of China's porcelain trade around Europe in the 16th century. China was top of the line. But when it comes to video games, China sits at the opposite end of the spectrum; Chinese games are often associated with cheap Mario clones and free-to-play RPGs that look like they're designed by business executives. It's not good.

Shanghai-based game developer Tommo Zhou dreams of changing that stigma. He hopes one day to release a video game on a console with a global reach. The PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Wii U (or the upcoming NX) are the dream. Zhou's friend and colleague, known as Feng, goes so far as to say it would be a "great honour" to have a game on one of these consoles. It's not necessarily the potential sales numbers and the success that might come with such a move, it's what the principle itself represents.