Sega Singapore Appoints Former NetEase Member Robin Ng as Senior General Manager of Mobile Publishing
In a recent announcement, Sega Singapore has appointed Robin Ng as their new senior general manager of mobile publishing. Ng, who was previously part of NetEase’s global publishing team, will be responsible for overseeing the publishing of mobile games in the South East Asia region and beyond. Sega’s recent acquisition of mobile games giant Rovio signals their focus on the mobile market, making Ng’s appointment a significant step in that direction.
Aside from his experience in the publishing field, Ng also has a background in game development. He previously served as the COO of Gravity Game Hub, the developers behind the remake of the cult-classic MMORPG Ragnarok Online, known as Ragnarok Origin. The global release of the game showcased the benefits of Ng’s expertise, which Sega hopes to leverage in their own endeavors.
Poaching from the Net(Ease)
While Ng may not have held a major role in NetEase’s global publishing team, his tenure during the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic and the company’s prominent presence in China and South-East Asia indicate that he brings valuable experience to the table. As the senior general manager focusing on the South East Asia region, Sega aims to replicate NetEase’s success with titles like Eggy Party.
However, Sega faces a tough battle if they intend to compete with industry giants like NetEase and Tencent. NetEase, in particular, has been aggressively expanding by opening new studios worldwide, including in Japan and Canada. Although this broader focus may work in Sega’s favor, both Tencent and NetEase have been seeking to break into the global market after facing challenges in their domestic and biggest market, China, due to regulatory crackdowns.