Is Buff 163 Chinese?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

The short answer is yes, Buff 163 is a Chinese-owned marketplace. But as an avid CSGO player myself, I wanted to dig deeper into what exactly that means if you‘re not a user based in China.

Buff 163 is Owned by Chinese Tech Giant NetEase

Buff 163 operates under the umbrella of NetEase, a $60 billion Chinese Internet technology company often referred to as the "Netflix of China." Founded in 1997, NetEase develops and operates some of China‘s most popular mobile and PC games.

So in short – Buff 163‘s parent company and ultimate owner is firmly rooted in China.

Headquartered in Guangzhou, China

Not only does Buff 163 belong to a Chinese firm, but the marketplace itself is headquartered and operated out of Guangzhou, China according to its website and various databases.

So in terms of leadership, operations, and physical location – there‘s no question Buff 163 is a Chinese company through and through.

But What About User Base? Data Suggests Majority Chinese Users

Analyzing Buff 163‘s website traffic and Alexa rankings suggest a predominantly Chinese user base as well. According to SimilarWeb data, 92% of its visitors originate from China, with second place Hong Kong lagging far behind at just 3%:

Additionally, leading geo-analysis site Alexa finds that buff.163 ranks 345th among Chinese sites, but a far lower 22,214 globally. This implies the vast majority of its relevance comes from Chinese visitors rather than overseas traffic.

So both ownership and user statistics affirm – Buff 163 is a Chinese-oriented CSGO marketplace. But what does this mean for gamers outside of China?

Implications of the Chinese Connection

Given Buff 163‘s Chinese background, non-domestic users may reasonably question:

  • Can I trust security and fraud protection from a Chinese site?
  • Will my data and privacy be adequately safeguarded?
  • Could I run into usage issues or access problems outside China?

These concerns might give international players pause when considering Buff 163. Chinese tech and sites remain controversial in terms of following Western norms around ethics, rights, and more aligned with European or American culture.

Perceived Risks May Deter Non-Chinese Users

And while Buff 163 itself has a reputation for reliability among customers within China, that perception doesn‘t always carry overseas. Rightly or wrongly, Chinese companies face greater hurdles building multinational trust & credibility versus domestic.

However, Buff 163 does seek to address this via strong security claims and highlights like:

  • Professional-grade DDoS protection
  • 2-factor authentication safeguards
  • SSL encryption across the marketplace

Not to mention reliable operators in NetEase with 20+ years in online business behind them. Still, regional perceptions persist and may prevent Buff 163 from dominating globally like it has in Asia.

Sister Platform Buff Market Targets Overseas Crowd

Interestingly, Buff 163‘s own sister site Buff Market (Buff.market) exists likely for this very reason – to secure Western and international patronage that Buff 163 itself may struggle to capture as a Chinese native.

Buff Market Highlights

  • Founded in Berlin, Germany HQ
  • English-language site
  • Globals payment options (Visa, MasterCard, etc)

So in some ways, Buff Market provides a more accessible "Western front" for the Buff ecosystem compared to the heavily China-centric Buff 163 operation.

And comments across Steam and Reddit at least anecdotally suggest awareness and favor of Buff Market exceeds that of Buff 163 outside of China:

So while undoubtedly the leader for Chinese users itself, Buff 163 does meet barriers to international growth – something Buff Market may resolve by targeting global gamers directly.

The Verdict? Proceed with Caution Beyond Asia

In closing, while Buff 163 sees massive adoption inside China and other Asian regions, non-domestic players take greater risk embracing its marketplace according to the data. And comments across communities like Reddit support this as well:

So in summary – yes, Buff 163 is a Chinese platform originally built for Chinese users. And while security and performance may check out locally, for Western gamers alternative markets like Buff Market itself or SkinBaron may make more sense globally.

As China‘s tech industry continues maturing however, the gaps in trust and access may gradually close over time across sites like Buff 163. But for now just be aware of its background before diving in as an international user.

Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m happy to discuss more on this topic or other corner of PC gaming.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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