A Look at Online Games: Kart Rider
Online gaming is the most advanced level of video gaming because it allows you to log onto a gaming network via some type of high speed broadband Internet connection where you can link up with other gamers from around the globe to compete at the game of your choice. Whereas online gaming was once dominated by the PC industry because PC’s were readily connectable to a high speed broadband Internet line, the industry has recently seen a shift towards other gaming systems such as the popular PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
Although the newer gaming systems have made significant ground against standard PC online gaming services, it is safe to say that PCs maintain a stranglehold on the online gaming industry.
Popular games such as Starcraft, Warcraft and CounterStrike are standards when it comes to online gaming. However, you might be shocked to learn that it is another game that takes the honor of being the biggest online game in the market; Kart Rider.
What is Kart Rider?
Unless you are Korean, the natural first question is what is Kart Rider? Kart Rider, as they say, is the biggest broadband game that you’ve never heard of. If it’s so big, then why haven’t you heard about it? Kart Rider is a Korean product and is therefore only slated for Asian expansion. Outside of Korean expansion, the makers of Kart Rider are hoping to push a version of their game into neighboring China.
A game that is not unlike the incredibly popular Mario Kart series produced by Nintendo, Kart Rider is a simple racing game that allows players to create and maintain their own customized characters. Players then compete online against a slew of other racers in an effort to increase their Kart Rider ranking and become the most feared online player.
Kart Rider is such a hit that there are actually professional players who get sponsored by various types of companies such as those dealing in clothing and apparel.
The Kart Rider Creators
Kart Rider is a gaming product that was created by Nexon, a Korean company who seems to have “cracked the code” for making money with an online gaming product. Nexon reported earnings of approximately $110 million in 2004 and expects to make more than double that amount in 2005. Nexon makes its money by selling various types of Kart Rider avatars to players, along with other types of accessories for drivers ranging from helmets and goggles to the cars themselves.
25% of the Korean population admits to having played Kart Rider at one time or another (approximately 12 million people). With such great success on the home front, you can expect to see Kart Rider expand its operations throughout other Asian countries as word-of-mouth continues to spread. As it is, Kart Rider remains the largest online game that nobody has really heard of before.
