Core Insights - The global mobile game revenue in April reached approximately $6.48 billion, a month-over-month decrease of 4.5%, while downloads totaled 3.93 billion, down 8.4% [1][3] Revenue Performance - Tencent's "Honor of Kings" topped the global mobile revenue chart, benefiting from promotional events like the "55 Friends Festival" and collaborations with Sanrio, which enhanced player engagement and spending [3][6] - miHoYo's "Honkai: Star Rail" saw a significant rise, jumping 24 places to become the fastest-growing game in April, driven by new character releases and events [3][6] Market Distribution - The United States remains the largest mobile game market with approximately $2 billion in revenue, accounting for 31.5% of the global total; China (iOS) follows with 18.8%, and Japan holds 13.2%, together representing 63.5% of global mobile game revenue [1][3] Download Rankings - Tencent's "Delta Force" ranked first in global download growth for April, while "Cookingdom" and NetEase's "Seven Days World" also performed well in download rankings [4][5] Competitive Landscape - The mobile gaming market is characterized by rapid version updates, with companies like Tencent and miHoYo adapting to competitive pressures by frequently refreshing game content to maintain player interest [6]

Group 1 - Daiwa forecasts that NetEase's gaming business growth momentum will strengthen, driven by a robust product line of new games and the resilience of traditional games [1] - Based on higher gaming revenue projections, Daiwa has raised NetEase's earnings per share forecast for 2025 to 2027 by 2% to 5%, reiterating a "Buy" rating and increasing the 12-month target price from HKD 210 to HKD 235 [1] - NetEase showcased upcoming games at its annual gaming day, including titles like "Marvel Secret Wars" (expected in H2 2025, not yet licensed) and "Fate: Stars" (approved in May 2025) [1] Group 2 - The rising proportion of PC and console games is easing NetEase's profit margin performance, with domestic PC games offering higher gross margins due to lower platform fees [2] - The growth of cross-platform and international games is expected to cause fluctuations in profit margins, but overall profitability should remain stable through strict cost and resource management [2] - Marketing expenditures are projected to rise from Q1 2025 levels, with a renewed focus on brand building in the coming quarters [2]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly state an investment rating for the gaming industry Core Insights - The Chinese gaming market reached a scale of 857.04 billion yuan in Q1 2025, showing a year-on-year growth of 17.99% but a quarter-on-quarter decline of 1.21% [5] - The mobile gaming market generated 636.26 billion yuan in Q1 2025, with a year-on-year increase of 20.29% and a quarter-on-quarter decrease of 2.18% [15] - The client game market saw a revenue of 179.19 billion yuan in Q1 2025, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 6.85% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 3.62% [8] - The web game market continues to decline, with a revenue of 11.13 billion yuan in Q1 2025, marking a quarter-on-quarter decrease of 1.54% [13] Summary by Sections Market Overview - The overall Chinese gaming market is valued at 857.04 billion yuan, with mobile and client games contributing to the growth [5] - The mobile gaming sector is the largest, with significant contributions from long-standing titles and new releases [15] Client Games - The client game market achieved a revenue of 179.19 billion yuan, driven by seasonal events and the return of popular titles [8] - New dual-end products have contributed to revenue growth, with notable performances from games like "Hearthstone" and "Delta Action" [8] Mobile Games - The mobile gaming market's revenue reached 636.26 billion yuan, with significant growth attributed to long-term operational potential of leading titles [15] - Major titles like "Honor of Kings" and "Crossfire: Gun Battle" achieved record revenues during the quarter [15] Web Games - The web game market has seen a continuous decline, with revenues dropping for four consecutive quarters [13] New Releases - The new game "Heroes No Flash" topped the new release revenue chart, with significant contributions from IP adaptations [39] - The iOS download rankings saw "Yanyun Sixteen Sounds" debuting strongly, indicating a positive reception for new titles [32] Overseas Market - The overseas revenue for self-developed games reached 48.05 billion USD, marking a year-on-year growth of 17.92% [47] - Key titles like "Last War: Survival Game" and "Whiteout Survival" have driven this growth, alongside new releases [47] User Experience Insights - User experience remains a critical factor, with 60% of users considering gaming experience when upgrading devices [67] - Performance issues such as overheating and frame drops are significant pain points for mobile gamers [69]

Group 1 - The Hong Kong mobile gaming stocks have shown strong performance, with Zhongjiu Mobile (00302.HK) rising over 4% [1] - Bilibili (09626.HK) has increased by more than 3% [1] - Other companies such as NetEase (09999.HK) and Blueport Interactive (08267.HK) also experienced gains [1]

Core Insights - Guangdong has launched six major cultural industry policy packages, including measures to promote the high-quality development of the online gaming industry, focusing on supporting original creations, optimizing the business environment, and enhancing service mechanisms [1] Group 1: Industry Growth and Revenue - In 2024, the revenue of Guangzhou's gaming industry is projected to reach 140.67 billion yuan, accounting for 43.2% of the national total, marking a historic high [2][8] - The gaming industry in Guangzhou is expected to accelerate further in 2025 due to favorable policies, technological advancements, and talent aggregation [2] Group 2: Industry Ecosystem and Development - Guangzhou has established a complete industry ecosystem from content creation to global operations, with the "Game First Street" in Tianhe District housing major companies like NetEase and over 200 smaller firms [2] - Recent policies aim to promote the construction of gaming and esports industry parks, encouraging companies to participate in creating spaces for research, incubation, and events [2] Group 3: Emerging Trends in Gaming - The small program gaming sector is experiencing rapid growth, with a compound annual growth rate of 182.3% from 2022 to 2024, positioning it as a lucrative market [3] - Guangzhou is home to 28 companies listed in the "2024 China Mini Game Top 100 Enterprises," the highest in the country, with successful titles like "Puzzles & Survival" and "Little Heroes" [3][8] Group 4: Focus on Quality and Cultural Integration - Several companies in Guangzhou are producing high-quality games that incorporate traditional Chinese culture, such as "Call Me the Boss" which integrates elements from the Song Dynasty [6] - The gaming industry is encouraged to embed cultural elements deeply into game design, with plans to explore modern cultural integration with traditional themes [6] Group 5: International Expansion and Collaboration - The new policy measures emphasize building an overseas industry cluster and alliances to promote Guangdong's original games in international markets [5] - Companies like Ganwan Games are looking to collaborate within the Greater Bay Area to enhance the gaming industry's ecosystem [5] Group 6: Technological Innovation - The policy measures support technological innovation in gaming, focusing on areas like virtual engine development and data security [7] - Companies are actively integrating AI and big data into their operations, with examples like NetEase's AI model arena in "Nirvana in Fire" [7]

Industry Dynamics - In May, a total of 130 domestic games and 14 imported games received approval for publication, marking a new high for the number of games approved in a single month in recent years [4] - Sensor Tower reported that global mobile game revenue in April reached approximately $6.48 billion, a month-over-month decrease of 4.5%, with Tencent's "Honor of Kings" topping the revenue chart [5] - Guangdong province introduced policies to support high-quality development in the gaming industry, focusing on original game production, technological innovation, and the establishment of service centers for game companies [6] Company Developments - Tencent launched an innovative project called "Hunyuan-Game," an AI-driven content production engine aimed at revolutionizing game asset generation and production processes [7] - Bilibili reported a 76% year-over-year increase in gaming revenue for Q1 2025, reaching 1.731 billion RMB, contributing significantly to the company's overall revenue growth [8] - NetEase held an online event announcing 9 new games, including titles like "Destiny: Stars" and "Marvel: Secret Magic" [10] - MiHoYo established a new company, Original Sea Technology, with a registered capital of 80 million RMB, focusing on game development and AI applications [11] - Bilibili's game "Shining! Yujun Girl" was relaunched after being offline for 622 days, with new version updates completed [12] Regulatory and Competitive Landscape - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission officially withdrew its lawsuit against Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, indicating regulatory approval for the deal [13] - Nintendo showcased the design of the Switch 2 cartridge, featuring a color change from black to red [14] - The first Hero Asia Cup (ACL) was successfully held in Shanghai, with over 1,200 teams and more than 10,000 participants, linking with the popular esports event Saudi Esports World Cup [16]

Investment Rating - The industry rating is "Recommended" [5] Core Insights & Investment Recommendations - Trade uncertainties have resurfaced, with President Trump threatening a 50% tariff on EU imports, which may disrupt market risk appetite temporarily. However, China's core assets still hold low-positioning value due to domestic demand resilience, industrial chain upgrades, and policy support [2][24] - OpenAI's acquisition of the AI hardware startup io for $6.5 billion marks its entry into the hardware sector, indicating a strategic shift from a "pure software ecosystem" to an "end-side closed-loop" strategy. This move is expected to lower the technical usage threshold and accelerate the commercialization of AI applications in consumer scenarios [2][43] - Investment opportunities include: 1) Hong Kong internet leaders benefiting from consumption promotion and employment stability; 2) The gaming industry, which is expected to see growth due to policy incentives and technological empowerment; 3) The film and cultural tourism industry, which will benefit from consumption policies promoting cinema recovery [3][25] Industry Data - The top three films at the box office are "Dumpling Queen" with a revenue of 31.83 million yuan (21.10% market share), "Hunting Gold: Game" with 29.16 million yuan (19.40%), and "Life Opens the Door" with 25.13 million yuan (16.70%) [4][58]

Investment Rating - The industry rating is "Recommended" [5] Core Insights & Investment Recommendations - Trade uncertainties have resurfaced, with President Trump threatening a 50% tariff on EU imports, which may disrupt market risk appetite temporarily. However, China's core assets still hold low-positioning value due to domestic demand resilience, industrial chain upgrades, and policy support [2][25] - OpenAI's acquisition of the AI hardware startup io for $6.5 billion marks its entry into the hardware sector, indicating a strategic shift from a "pure software ecosystem" to an "end-side closed-loop" strategy. This move is expected to lower the technical usage threshold and accelerate the commercialization of AI applications in consumer scenarios [2][25] - Investment opportunities include: 1) Hong Kong internet leaders benefiting from consumption promotion and employment stability; 2) The gaming industry, which is expected to see growth due to policy incentives and technological empowerment; 3) The film and cultural tourism industry, which will benefit from consumption policies promoting cinema recovery [3][26] Industry Data - The top three films at the box office are "Dumpling Queen" with 31.83 million yuan (21.10% market share), "Hunting Gold: Game" with 29.16 million yuan (19.40% market share), and "Life Opens the Door" with 25.13 million yuan (16.70% market share) [4][63]

Core Insights - The article highlights the rapid growth and global success of Chinese mobile games, with 33 Chinese companies making it to the top 100 global mobile game publishers, generating $2 billion in revenue, accounting for 38.4% of the total [3] - Chinese mobile games have seen a significant increase in overseas revenue, reaching $18.56 billion in 2024, with a year-on-year growth rate of 13.39% [3][5] - The shift in strategy from domestic-focused development to global-first design has been crucial for the success of Chinese games in international markets [5][6] Industry Growth - The mobile gaming sector has become a dominant force for Chinese games, with approximately 25% of the top 50 global mobile publishers being Chinese [3] - The revenue from Chinese games in overseas markets has grown from less than $1 million to over $100 billion in five years, with a consistent annual growth rate exceeding 10% [4][5] Strategic Shifts - Companies have transitioned from primarily exporting game copyrights to designing games with global releases in mind from the outset [5][6] - Successful titles like "Black Myth: Wukong" and "Genshin Impact" were developed with global audiences in mind, featuring multi-language support from launch [5][6] Market Understanding - Chinese game developers have deepened their understanding of overseas markets, tailoring content to local preferences and cultural contexts [6][7] - Different strategies are employed for various regions, with IP collaborations being more effective in Japan and Korea compared to Western markets [7] Technological Advancements - Chinese game developers have surpassed their international counterparts in mobile game development efficiency and technology application [9][16] - The use of advanced game engines and AI technology has contributed to the leading position of Chinese mobile games [16] Marketing and Promotion - Chinese companies have leveraged social media and targeted marketing strategies to enhance visibility and user acquisition in international markets [17][19] - The integration of local cultural elements into games has been positively received, enhancing the appeal of Chinese games abroad [21] Cultural Impact - The success of Chinese games abroad reflects the broader trend of Chinese cultural products gaining international recognition, with a significant increase in cultural exports [22][23] - The gaming industry's growth is indicative of China's rising global influence and competitiveness in various sectors [23]

Core Viewpoint - Guangdong has officially released policies to promote high-quality development in the cultural industry, specifically focusing on the esports sector with 18 policy measures aimed at fostering the industry [1] Group 1: Policy Measures and Strategic Goals - The policy measures aim to establish Guangzhou and Shenzhen as the "dual cores" of the esports industry, enhancing regional collaboration and resource sharing [3] - The goal is to integrate the esports industry chain, including product development, event operation, and broadcasting, to create a closed loop of "development-content-distribution" [3] - By 2030, the objective is for Guangzhou and Shenzhen to become globally influential cities in the esports industry [3] Group 2: Industry Landscape and Employment - The esports industry in China is projected to have 490 million users in 2024, with a 0.42% year-on-year growth, and actual sales revenue of 27.568 billion yuan, reflecting a 4.62% increase [2] - The Greater Bay Area's esports workforce exceeds 2 million, accounting for about one-fifth of the national total, with Guangzhou and Shenzhen being key hubs [2] Group 3: Infrastructure and Investment - The policy measures support the construction of esports venues and industrial parks, aiming to attract more market participants and enhance industry scale [4] - Investment hotspots include esports venues, gaming hardware, and esports-themed cultural projects, which are emphasized in the policy measures [3][4] Group 4: Event Development and Internationalization - The measures propose a dual-track system for esports events, focusing on both high-level and unique local competitions [6] - The goal is to attract at least two international top-tier esports events to Guangdong by 2030, enhancing the province's capacity to host large-scale international competitions [5] Group 5: Content Production and Innovation - The policy encourages local game developers to create esports content that incorporates traditional Chinese culture and adapts existing IPs into esports products [8] - Notably, NetEase's self-developed game "Identity V" has been selected for the 2026 Asian Games, showcasing the potential of local game development [7]