Who goes to a cybercafe?

Txwm.com conducted an earlier survey from December 26, 2012 to February 15, 2013, among netizens in cybercafes. The aim was to learn more about who exactly visited cybercafes. A total of 8,581 users participated.

The results showed that the proportion of females at cybercafe is reducing. As cellphones have become the largest Internet terminal, females, whose major use of the net is to chat, see no need to visit a cybercafe. The survey also found that young people between 24 and 33 are the most likely to frequent an Internet bar to play online games. Txwm.com suggests cybercafes target these netizens if they wish to survive.

Office workers and the self-employed are another major group visiting cybercafes. Most usually go in the evening after work or during holidays, which explains why the occupancy rate is higher during these periods. Seventy percent of cybercafe users have a monthly income of 1,500-5,000 yuan ($241.16-803.86). Although many have personal computers, users still prefer going to cybercafes because the environment is conducive to playing online games together with friends. The most important reasons for visiting a cybercafe are, in descending order, Internet speed, price, service and proximity to home, the survey found.

Will 3D be savior?

Li, a cybercafe owner, says now many cybercafes are considering deploying computers with 3D technology. Vivid game play is a large attraction, but most Chinese families cannot afford 3D terminals. Cybercafes see this as an opportunity.

In April-September 2011, ViewSonic, a global provider of display technology, held a promotion to push large cybercafes in major Chinese cities to upgrade their computers to include the latest 3D screens. At present, 200 large cybercafes in 50 Chinese cities have offered 3D displays. When a cybercafe in Beijing's Chaoyang District began to offer 3D displays in June 2012, Li went there to check it out firsthand.

Li, however, thinks it unrealistic that cybercafes can use 3D technology simply because the terminals are still expensive. It would cost 1.5 million yuan ($24,116) to purchase 50 screens. Moreover, there are few films and online games that support 3D technology. Even with 3D capability, 90 percent of content remains at the level of 2D. "We're not at a time when 3D display technology can be as widely applied as 2D technology," said Li.

Li adds the 3D experience is short lived and consumer interest is unstable and quickly wanes. At present, consumers need to wear special glasses to watch 3D films or play 3D games, but many users say they feel uncomfortable after wearing the glasses for two hours.

The number of cybercafes with 3D capability is small, but the number of consumers who want to experience such technology is big, therefore these cybercafes can make a profit for now, industry watchers say.

But Li is cautious. "Before glasses-free 3D technology becomes affordable to consumers, blind expansion of 3D displays will only bring cybercafes much burden, not profit."

Email us at: lanxinzhen@bjreview.com