Angry Birds: Rovio's theme park plans to land in China(2)

Disney derivative?

Vesterbacka once said that Rovio aims to become a leading entertainment brand in China, like Disney. Both Disney and Rovio use games to build popularity and develop derivative products to make a profit. They both understand how valuable the Chinese market is.

After opening a theme park in Hong Kong in 2005, Disney is planning on opening its second theme park in China in Shanghai around 2015.

But if Angry Birds moves fast, it might be the first exported theme park in the Chinese mainland.

Vesterbacka revealed in February that a theme park focusing on games would be built in Shanghai by the end of the year.

"Visitors will not play passively in the park… People will move as if in a game. It is different from Disney."

Vesterbacka's philosophy is to tailor parks to the neighborhood, in manner of a school, grocery store or library.

"Angry Birds theme parks [encourage] exercise. There will be traditional rides and roller coasters available, but the core idea of an Angry Birds parks is to activate people to move and go through extreme experiences instead of standing in queue," wrote Ylinenp?? in an e-mail.

Domestic parks

Rovio pushed forward a special edition of the Angry Birds game before China's Mid-Autumn Day last September, with ancient Chinese buildings in the background.

In an interview with Xinhua, Vesterbacka said the company hopes to incorporate traditional Chinese fairy tales into future theme parks.

Chen is confident in the uniqueness of Angry Birds theme parks. "We don't feel that we are competing with local and foreign brands, as our parks will provide a different and unique interactive experience."

Some experts say Rovio has a long way to go.

Xie Yifeng said, "Though it [Angry Birds] has certain influence as a brand now, it is not comparable to Disney yet," he said, "It needs more development."

Many theme parks in China have not done well. The first theme park emerged in 1989 when Splendid China was opened in Shenzhen.

There are reportedly an estimated 2,500 theme parks across the country, but only a tenth make a profit.

Bao Jigang, a professor at Sun Yat-sen University, said that most parks in China have similar themes and expensive tickets.

There are at least 500 parks with the Journey to the West theme and dozens of folk culture villages across the country.

"Angry Birds has its own brand and is developing its chain products," Xie Yifeng told the Global Times.

Ylinenp?? is optimistic. "China is an engine in the world's economy. The same is happening ... with theme parks."

Xie recommends Rovio and its partners conduct thorough research about the theme park market in China.

"Design and function should integrate the special features of China," he said. Xie said local governments should do research before embarking on foreign projects.

"Local governments are eager to drive the economy and scramble for theme park projects while China is a market not to be neglected."