Giant Interactive, a Shanghai-based online game operator and developer, announced that it will be obtaining a mobile application distribution platform company as an investment to further expand its mobile game business.
Ji Xuefeng, Giant Interactive president, said that they are in discussions with one of the five leading Chinese mobile application platforms for the possibility of a purchase.
Ji did not give further details on the acquisition, which is still under negotiations.
Even if mobile application distribution platforms require vast amounts of financial backing, the sector holds massive income potential. Last year, $1.9 billion was paid by Baidu.com, a Chinese portal that offers web services, to purchase 91 Wireless mobile platform.
Ji said that Giant will not pay as much as Baidu did, but the mobile platform acquisition will still be a largely expensive investment.
According to Ji, the firm recently received a privatization plan worth $3 billion, which gives Giant Interactive the capital to make large investments for the further growth of the firm.
Ji recently paid Fudan University, one of China's oldest and most prestigious schools, a visit to inspire and recruit the university's graduate students for Giant's expansion.
Giant Interactive is just one of the leading online-video-game companies that plans to grow into China's mobile market as more and more Chinese play video games on their mobile phones.
One of Giant's major massive multiplayer online (MMO) hits is ZT Online series, which is scheduled to have another sequel--ZT Online 3D--coming next year.