Shaolin gives its blessings to games

Chinese game fans will soon be able to play kung fu games which have been authorized by the Shaolin Temple.

It would be the first-such license granted by the temple, which is known for promoting its own version of martial arts, to the game industry.

The Shaolin Temple and the Nasdaq-listed China Mobile Games and Entertainment Group (CMGE) signed agreements on the sidelines of the game fair ChinaJoy 2014, which concluded in Shanghai yesterday.

CMGE and Shaolin will jointly work on developing mobile and video games that reflect the Shaolin ethos and kung fu, which has a history of more than 1,000 years.

"Mobile phones have become important channels for both communication and entertainment. We hope to promote Shaolin culture with the latest technology," said Shi Yanguang, a 34th-generation Shaolin disciple and vice general manager of the Shaolin Intangible Assets Management Co.

Xiao Jian, chief executive of CMGE, said players will get to learn and enjoy original Shaolin kung fu by playing the games.

No timetable was given about their release dates.

CMGE has also signed with Japanese firms to get mobile game licences such as The King of Fighters '97 and Uncharted Waters 5.

In the first half, China's mobile game market revenue jumped 395 percent year on year to 12.5 billion yuan (US$2 billion). The domestic market will surpass the current leader United States within the next two years.