Core Viewpoint - The gaming sector in the A-share market has seen a significant rise, with an overall increase of over 60% in 2025, driven by favorable policies and market conditions [1] Group 1: Market Recovery and Growth - The number of approved domestic online games reached a historical high of 1,771 in 2025, a 25.07% increase from 1,416 in 2024 [2] - The recovery in game approvals is attributed to a combination of factors, including improved policies and social attitudes towards the gaming industry [4][5] - In April 2025, the government introduced three measures to support the gaming industry, including tax incentives and support for IPOs and mergers [6] - The approval process for game licenses has been optimized, reducing the time to under a year, with some approvals taking as little as three months [8] - Negative impacts from past regulations, such as restrictions on minors and license suspensions, are gradually dissipating [9] Group 2: Industry Investment and Revenue - Leading gaming companies have significantly increased their R&D expenditures, with Century Huatong, Giant Network, and G-bits spending 760 million, 340 million, and 280 million yuan respectively, all showing over 45% growth year-on-year [11] - The actual sales revenue of the domestic gaming market reached 350.79 billion yuan in 2025, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 7.68% [13] - The user base grew by 1.35% to 683 million, marking a historical peak [16] - The gaming industry is experiencing a surge in user engagement and spending, with the overall revenue growth for the industry’s stocks showing increases of 22%, 22%, and 29% in the first three quarters of the year [23] Group 3: Evolving Game Genres and Trends - The gaming industry is witnessing a rapid evolution in game genres, with a notable rise in party games and FPS titles since 2022 [30][32] - The success of games like "Genshin Impact" has set a precedent for future game releases, indicating a trend towards innovative and hybrid game types [35] - WeChat mini-games have emerged as a significant growth area, with market revenue reaching 53.54 billion yuan in 2025, a 34.39% increase [39] - The monthly active users of WeChat mini-games reached 500 million, with daily online time increasing by 10% [40] Group 4: Future Outlook and Competitive Landscape - The gaming market is expected to continue expanding, driven by the rise of high-quality mobile games and the integration of AI in game development and operations [46][47] - Despite the positive outlook, competition within the gaming industry is intensifying, prompting companies to pursue mergers and global market expansion [50][51] - The most promising companies are those that can innovate gameplay and develop platform-based gaming experiences, which may lead to growth and valuation increases [55] - The darkest times for the gaming industry appear to be over, signaling a potential turning point for sustained growth [56]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are entering a stage of mass production, with gaming as a significant application area expected to benefit continuously [1][2] - BCIs can enable individuals with motor disabilities to experience gaming through "brain-controlled" interfaces and assist in rehabilitation for neurological conditions [1][2] - The recent launch of China's first fully implanted, wireless BCI product by Shanghai Brain Tiger Technology marks a critical breakthrough in core BCI technology, positioning China among the top international players [2] Group 2 - Game companies are actively investing in the BCI field, with 37 Interactive Entertainment investing in Strong Brain Technology, the first unicorn in China's BCI sector, and developing a game for autism assistance that integrates BCI technology [2] - Century Huatong has established a research center with Zhejiang University focusing on brain-computer integration and other emerging fields [2] - Tom Cat plans to collaborate with various research institutions in 2024 to advance BCI, brain function data analysis, and digital game therapy [2] Group 3 - AI is significantly empowering the gaming industry, enhancing multi-modal capabilities and innovative integration forms, which may open new industry spaces [3] - The integration of AI in gaming has led to a 40% reduction in character animation production cycles and a significant decrease in prototype validation time [3] - The exploration of AI and gaming integration is expected to provide players with novel experiences and further expand industry development opportunities [3] Group 4 - The upcoming gaming season is anticipated to drive revenue growth through the launch of new games and updates to existing titles [4] - Notable upcoming events include anniversary celebrations and collaborations with popular IPs, which are expected to attract player engagement [4] - Investment opportunities in the gaming sector are highlighted, with a focus on companies like Giant Network, Xindong Company, and others benefiting from the seasonal demand [4]

Summary of China Online Gaming Industry Journal (Dec 2025 Edition) Industry Overview - The report focuses on the **China Online Gaming Industry**, highlighting key insights from various companies and market trends in the sector [1][2]. Key Companies Mentioned - **Century Huatong** - **37 Interactive Entertainment** - **Perfect World** - **Kingnet** - **G-Bits** - **Giant Network** Core Insights and Arguments 1. **Market Performance**: The A-share gaming sector experienced a rally in early January, indicating a positive sentiment towards the industry. The focus is on the monetization potential of the upcoming game cycle and performance during the Chinese New Year promotion [1]. 2. **Earnings Visibility**: There is an emphasis on strengthening shareholder returns to boost market confidence in earnings visibility as the sector approaches 2026 [1]. 3. **Constructive Outlook**: The report maintains a positive outlook on the China online gaming sector, citing quality earnings growth, accelerating overseas expansion, and increased exposure to AI gaming [1]. 4. **Company Rankings**: The new A-share gaming pecking order is established as follows: Century Huatong > Kingnet > Giant Network > 37 > G-Bits > Perfect World [1]. Financial Highlights - **Global Mobile Game Revenues**: According to AppMagic, global mobile game grossing remained stable with a **0.5% year-over-year increase**, while downloads rose by **4.6% year-over-year**. Notably, 12 of the top 30 most profitable mobile games globally were developed by Chinese studios [2]. - **Top Performers**: Among the top 30 mobile games, **Whiteout Survival** from Century Games was highlighted as the fastest-growing mobile game globally, achieving **50% year-over-year grossing growth** [2]. Company-Specific Updates 1. **Century Huatong**: Released the domestic version of **High Seas Hero** on WeChat mini game and is testing multiple new strategy games in domestic and overseas markets [3]. 2. **37 Interactive Entertainment**: The mini game **Survival in 33 Days** achieved significant traction, reaching the 2 position in WeChat mini game grossing in December 2025 [4]. 3. **Perfect World**: Announced the third round of closed beta testing for **Neverness to Everness**, available on multiple platforms [5]. 4. **Kingnet**: Launched a new MMORPG titled **Divine** in South Korea, featuring unique gameplay mechanics [6]. Additional Insights - The report suggests that the recent performance of 37 Interactive Entertainment supports its potential for re-rating as a sector laggard following the removal of regulatory overhang [4]. - The focus on AI gaming exposure indicates a trend towards integrating advanced technologies in game development, which could enhance user engagement and monetization strategies [1]. Conclusion The China Online Gaming Industry is poised for growth, driven by strong earnings potential, innovative game releases, and a favorable market environment as it heads into 2026. The emphasis on shareholder returns and AI integration reflects a strategic approach to enhance competitiveness in the global gaming landscape [1][2].

Core Viewpoint - The China Securities 1000 Growth ETF (562520) opened with a slight decline of 0.15%, priced at 1.376 yuan, while its constituent stocks showed mixed performance on January 7 [1] Group 1: ETF Performance - The China Securities 1000 Growth ETF (562520) has a performance benchmark based on the China Securities Intelligent Selection 1000 Growth Innovation Strategy Index [1] - Since its inception on March 8, 2022, the fund has achieved a return of 37.50%, with a one-month return of 8.71% [1] Group 2: Constituent Stocks Performance - Among the top holdings, Jucheng Co. saw a significant increase of 13.14%, while other stocks like Gylon Electronics and SourceJet Technology also experienced slight gains of 0.22% and 2.94% respectively [1] - Conversely, stocks such as Gigabit and Lexin Technology faced declines of 0.60% and 0.49% respectively, indicating a mixed performance across the ETF's holdings [1]

Core Viewpoint - Jibite's stock increased by 2.77% on January 6, with a trading volume of 1.087 billion yuan, indicating strong market interest and activity in the company's shares [1]. Financing Summary - On January 6, Jibite had a financing buy-in amount of 74.76 million yuan and a financing repayment of 122 million yuan, resulting in a net financing outflow of 47.13 million yuan [1]. - As of January 6, the total financing and securities lending balance for Jibite was 1.111 billion yuan, with the financing balance at 1.104 billion yuan, accounting for 3.41% of the circulating market value, which is above the 80th percentile of the past year [1]. - In terms of securities lending, Jibite repaid 600 shares and sold 300 shares on January 6, with a selling amount of 134,700 yuan, while the securities lending balance was 7.0186 million yuan, exceeding the 90th percentile of the past year [1]. Company Overview - Jibite, established on March 26, 2004, and listed on January 4, 2017, is based in Xiamen, Fujian Province, and specializes in the creative planning, development, and commercialization of online games [1]. - As of September 30, the number of Jibite shareholders was 16,500, a decrease of 8.04% from the previous period, while the average circulating shares per person increased by 8.74% to 4,368 shares [1]. Financial Performance - For the period from January to September 2025, Jibite achieved a revenue of 4.486 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year growth of 59.17%, and a net profit attributable to shareholders of 1.214 billion yuan, reflecting an 84.66% increase year-on-year [1]. Dividend Information - Since its A-share listing, Jibite has distributed a total of 6.92 billion yuan in dividends, with 2.342 billion yuan distributed over the past three years [2]. Institutional Holdings - As of September 30, 2025, the top ten circulating shareholders of Jibite included Hong Kong Central Clearing Limited as the third-largest shareholder with 6.9038 million shares, a decrease of 70,000 shares from the previous period [2]. - The Huaxia CSI Animation Game ETF (159869) ranked as the sixth-largest circulating shareholder with 1.2456 million shares, an increase of 241,700 shares, while the China Europe Internet Mixed A (010213) was the ninth-largest with 667,200 shares, a decrease of 338,600 shares [2].

Market Overview - The gaming sector increased by 1.05% on January 6, with Caesar Culture leading the gains [1] - The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 4083.67, up 1.5%, while the Shenzhen Component Index closed at 14022.55, up 1.4% [1] Individual Stock Performance - Caesar Culture (002425) closed at 4.00, up 9.89% with a trading volume of 401,600 shares and a turnover of 158 million yuan [1] - Kaiying Network (002517) closed at 24.36, up 4.46% with a trading volume of 912,300 shares and a turnover of 2.179 billion yuan [1] - Gigabit (603444) closed at 448.99, up 2.77% with a trading volume of 24,400 shares and a turnover of 1.087 billion yuan [1] - Kunlun Wanwei (300418) closed at 44.89, up 2.56% with a trading volume of 949,700 shares and a turnover of 4.236 billion yuan [1] - Other notable stocks include Mingchen Health (002919) up 2.10%, Xunyou Technology (300467) up 2.04%, and Giant Network (002558) up 1.84% [1] Capital Flow Analysis - The gaming sector experienced a net outflow of 1.405 billion yuan from institutional investors, while retail investors saw a net inflow of 1.32 billion yuan [2] - The overall net inflow from speculative funds was 84.958 million yuan [2] Detailed Capital Flow for Selected Stocks - Kaiying Network (002517) had a net inflow of 255 million yuan from institutional investors, but a net outflow of 35.72 million yuan from speculative funds [3] - Caesar Culture (002425) saw a net inflow of 60.768 million yuan from institutional investors, with a net outflow of 36.423 million yuan from speculative funds [3] - Giant Network (002558) had a net inflow of 59.820 million yuan from institutional investors, but a significant net outflow of 82.100 million yuan from retail investors [3] - Other stocks like Xunyou Technology (300467) and Mingchen Health (002919) also showed varied capital flows, indicating mixed investor sentiment [3]

Group 1 - The gaming sector is experiencing a strong performance, with the gaming ETF (159869) rising over 0.5% during intraday trading on January 6, 2025 [1] - Notable stocks within the ETF include 37 Interactive Entertainment (002555), G-bits (603444), Mingchen Health (002919), Aofei Entertainment (002292), and Guomai Culture (600640), which have shown significant gains [1] - The gaming ETF has attracted a total of 1.306 billion yuan in the last 10 trading sessions, reaching a total scale of 13.116 billion yuan as of January 5, 2025, providing investors with a convenient tool for investing in A-share gaming leaders [1] Group 2 - The global mobile game revenue is projected to grow by 0.5% year-on-year by 2025, with eight products expected to surpass 1 billion dollars in revenue after global distribution [1] - "Honor of Kings" continues to lead the revenue rankings, while "Whiteout Survival" has seen a revenue increase of approximately 50%, becoming the growth champion in the 1 billion dollar tier [1] - Zhongyuan Securities (601375) anticipates steady growth in the domestic gaming industry in 2025, with both market and user scales reaching new highs, driven by strong supply and demand dynamics [1] - The integration of AI technology is expected to enhance efficiency in research and development, as well as operations, leading to improved financial performance in the gaming sector [1][2]

Investment Rating - Investment rating: Positive (maintained) [1] Core Insights - The brain-computer interface (BCI) technology is entering a phase of large-scale production, with gaming as a significant application area, expected to benefit continuously [3] - The integration of AI in gaming is enhancing multi-modal capabilities and innovative forms, potentially opening up new industry spaces [3] - The upcoming gaming season, with new game launches and updates to existing games, is anticipated to drive revenue growth [4] Summary by Sections Brain-Computer Interface Developments - BCI technology connects the human brain with external devices for information exchange, enabling previously disabled individuals to engage in gaming through "brain-controlled" interfaces [3] - The launch of China's first fully implanted, wireless BCI product by Shanghai Brain Tiger Technology marks a significant breakthrough in core technology [3] - Companies like 37 Interactive Entertainment and Century Huatong are actively investing in BCI-related projects, indicating a growing interest in this field [3] AI Integration in Gaming - AI is enhancing various aspects of game development, from art resource generation to core creative areas like gameplay design and narrative structure [3] - Tencent reported a 40% reduction in animation production time due to AI integration, showcasing efficiency gains [3] - The number of games utilizing generative AI on the Steam platform has increased significantly, indicating a trend towards AI-enhanced gaming experiences [3] Upcoming Gaming Season - Major game releases and updates are scheduled for January, including anniversary events and new collaborations with popular IPs [4] - The report suggests focusing on the gaming sector due to its favorable valuation and expected demand surge during the holiday season [4] - Recommended companies include Giant Network, Xindong Company, and Tencent Holdings, among others, as potential beneficiaries of this trend [4]

Core Viewpoint - The company has engaged in extensive research and development activities, showcasing strong performance in game releases and strategic planning for future growth, particularly in international markets and through the integration of AI technology in operations. Group 1: Game Performance and Releases - The company received 222 institutional research visits from October 29 to December 31, 2025, highlighting interest in its game portfolio [1] - "杖剑传说" (Staff Sword Legend) achieved an average ranking of 43 and a peak of 23 on the App Store in mainland China during Q4 2025, with successful overseas launches in regions like Macau and Japan [1][3] - "问道手游" (Wandao Mobile Game) maintained an average ranking of 66 and peaked at 43, while "一念逍遥" (One Thought of Freedom) and "问剑长生" (Sword of Life) introduced new features and events to enhance player engagement [4][5] Group 2: New Game Launches and Strategies - The new game "九牧之野" (Jiumu Zhiye) saw over one million pre-launch reservations, achieving the top position in the App Store free games category and 22nd in the revenue rankings [2][6] - The company plans to focus on community engagement and dynamic marketing strategies based on user lifetime value (LTV) and return on investment (ROI) for its game releases [7] Group 3: AI Integration in Game Development - AI technology is deeply integrated into both game development and operations, enhancing efficiency in art resource production and code writing through platforms like AIWebHub [9] - AI applications extend to user acquisition, personalized in-game offers, and monitoring of game environments to improve overall user experience and operational efficiency [9] Group 4: Shareholder Returns and Financial Planning - The company has established a shareholder return plan for 2025-2027, committing to three profit distributions annually, with cash dividends expected to be at least 50% of the net profit [10] - In the first nine months of 2025, the company distributed 904 million yuan in cash dividends, representing 74.47% of the net profit for that period [10]

Investment Rating - The report assigns an "Overweight" rating for the media industry, particularly highlighting opportunities in the gaming sector [5]. Core Insights - The media index saw a maximum increase of over 40% in 2025, with the gaming index nearly doubling, indicating strong growth potential in the gaming sector [2][9]. - The film market is experiencing a trend of increasing concentration among top films, with imported films leading the box office during the New Year period [18][21]. Summary by Sections 1. Media Index Performance - The media index achieved a maximum increase of 42.24% in 2025, with a notable rise of 30% from January 2 to December 31 [8][9]. - The gaming sector outperformed all other sub-sectors, with a maximum increase of 98.45% in 2025, while other sectors like film exhibition benefited from the Spring Festival, nearing a 50% increase [9][17]. 2. Film Market Trends - The total box office for 2025 reached 51.8 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 22%, with over 1.2 billion admissions [18][20]. - The number of imported films exceeded 100 for the first time in five years, reaching 106, contributing significantly to box office revenues [21][22]. - The concentration of box office revenue among top films is increasing, with a few high-grossing films supporting the market [21][23]. 3. Recommendations for Companies - The report recommends focusing on companies in the gaming sector such as Giant Network, Century Huatong, and Perfect World, which are expected to perform well due to the release of new games and the performance of existing titles [17][27]. - For the film sector, companies involved in upcoming films for the Spring Festival, such as Maoyan Entertainment and Wanda Film, are highlighted as potential beneficiaries [27][28].