From Protectionist to Regulator: Policy-Driven Transformation of Digital Urban Networks in China’s Online Gaming Industry

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This paper addresses these gaps by examining how China's transition from protectionist to regulatory policies affects the development and connectivity of urban networks, using the online gaming industry as an example. To analyze these changes, social network analysis and Valued Exponential Random Graph Models (ERGMs) are employed across two policy phases: the Competitive Protection Phase (2014–2017) and the Systematic Regulatory Phase (2018–2022). These methods quantify structural shifts and identify key drivers of urban network evolution. 

Query 1. The title “From Protectionist to Regulator: Policy-Driven Transformation of Urban Networks in China's Online Gaming Industry” is engaging. However, consider specifying “Urban Networks” in the title to better reflect the content. The literature review section begins well but could be strengthened by incorporating recent studies or data that illustrate both the qualitative and quantitative impacts of digital economies on urban networks outside of China.

   - While you've mentioned the use of social network analysis and Valued Exponential Random Graph Models (ERGMs), it may be beneficial to provide more details on:

     - The specific datasets used.

     - The criteria for selecting case studies within the online gaming industry.

     - How data collection was conducted (e.g., time frame, sources).

Query 2. The terms "local buzz," "regional interaction," and "national pipelines" are well-defined; however, providing additional context or examples for these terms in the introduction of this section could enhance reader understanding, particularly for those unfamiliar with the theories being referenced.

- The focus on the urban gaming industry limits the analysis, making it necessary to compare with other digital economy sectors.

- The manuscript primarily focuses on the online gaming sector, which may limit the scope of insights.

   - : Integrating comparisons with other sectors in the digital economy (e.g., e-commerce, fintech) would enrich the analysis and demonstrate broader applicability.

Query 3. The need for emphasis on the distinctive contributions of this study among existing literature is evident.

   - Writing in certain sections lacks clarity and conciseness.

   -The results are presented without sufficient detail to convincingly support the conclusions drawn in the manuscript.

     - The inclusion of specific metrics and numerical data that illustrate changes in urban network characteristics is essential.

     - A provision of comparative results that highlight changes before and after policy implementation, utilizing tables and graphs for visual clarity, is important. The inadequacy in contextualizing the findings within existing literature or exploring the implications of the results constitutes a significant issue.

     - A more comprehensive explanation of the research design, data collection methods, and analytical approaches employed is needed.

     - A discussion of the rationale behind selecting specific methodologies and how they align with the research objectives should be included.

   - The insufficient comparative analysis across different regions or sectors leaves a gap in the understanding of the study’s implications.

 

 

 

 

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Moderate revisions required. 

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The subject of the article is very interesting and current. The digital economy, driven by progress in the field of ICT, has become the engine of contemporary economic growth and development. The development of the digital economy is conducive to the creation of an information society and a network economy, in which new networks of connections are emerging, including urban networks.

The development of the digital economy is facilitated by state support. Support in creating an environment that encourages society and other entities to actively participate in this process. Government policies applied in a given country also play an important role in shaping and developing urban networks within the digital economy. The authors of the article demonstrate this influence in the example of the Chinese economy, using the online gaming industry as an example.

The results of the conducted research showed that the urban networks in the Chinese economy have evolved from centralized structures dominated by a few cities to decentralized, multi-center networks. The key factor influencing this evolution was the change in the nature of the policy applied by the Chinese authorities. This policy was changed from protectionist to regulatory.

The article is substantively correct and written quite clearly. However, before publication, it is necessary to introduce several following corrections in order to fully adapt it to the requirements of the journal and raise its scientific level:

1.     The Abstract and Introduction sections do not clearly state the purpose of the research. These sections describe what was studied, but do not call it the purpose of the research. Please state the purpose of the research clearly;

2.     The literature review, especially the one concerning urban networks and the digital economy, is too poor and should be expanded to include key bibliographic items in this field. The literature review on urban networks only refers to Castells' theory and mentions corporate networks. It would be necessary to refer to other theories in this field and clearly indicate how the "urban network" and "network city" are defined in the Authors' research, as there are different research perspectives in this area in the literature;

3.     In the data source section, it should be explained whether the number of 16,650 online game projects is a full sample, a representative sample, or a certain number of projects deliberately selected for research (in which case the selection criterion should be provided);

4.     The Discussion section actually contains conclusions from the research conducted, without reference to other research conducted in this area by other Authors. The name of this section should therefore be changed to Conclusions, and the Discussion section should be added. The discussion section should review the results of other research conducted in the field of urban network development and the impact of state policy on their development. It should be indicated whether there are studies confirming, using the example of other countries, that the political context and the nature of the policy applied have a significant impact on the development of urban networks? What are the findings of other authors in this area?

5.     Please correct any editorial shortcomings that appear in the text of the article, e.g.:

- there should be a space before the reference in square brackets; the square bracket should not be connected to the text,

- instead of the C_a→b designation in the text there should be C_{a – b} as in the formula (line 219),

- the names of columns in the table should be written in capital letters,

- there should be a dot after section and subsection numbers,

-  etc.

Introducing the suggested corrections will improve the scientific quality of the article.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

It is suggested to improve the congruence of the article, defining the objectives (and their related hypotheses). Likewise, include a conclusions section at the end of the investigation.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

To a considerable extent, the authors have addressed my comments effectively.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Minor editing required. 

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I accept all corrections introduced in the content of the article and recommend the article for publication in its current version.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Minor editing of English language required.