Ding, who started NetEase in 1997 as an email-service provider, has expanded the company into a games giant with interests in e-commerce, music, education, and media. The company aims to increase its share of overseas sales from 10% to nearly half and has established studios in Japan, North America, and Europe.
Key takeaways:
- William Ding, CEO of NetEase, has seen his net worth increase by two-thirds to $32 billion following Beijing's decision to lift a freeze on granting online gaming licenses.
- NetEase's games, such as Eggy Party and Justice Mobile, have exceeded market expectations, with Eggy Party attracting 100 million active monthly users as of August.
- Despite ending its 14-year partnership with Activision Blizzard, NetEase reported a 5% rise in revenue to $6.8 billion in the first half of this year, with games revenue accounting for nearly 80%.
- NetEase, which started as an email-service provider, now has interests in e-commerce, music, education and media, and aims to increase its share of overseas sales from 10% to nearly half.