Chinese Media(SH:600373) Mei Ri Jing Ji Xin Wen·2025-10-15 14:07Core Viewpoint - The recent management upheaval at Beijing Zhixing Star Technology Co., Ltd. (Zhixing Star) has significantly impacted the company, which was once a leading player in the mobile gaming industry. The company announced the suspension of President Zhang Lei, raising questions about its future performance and ability to regain past glory amid declining financial results [1][2][11]. Management Changes - On October 10, 2023, Zhixing Star's board of directors decided to suspend President Zhang Lei, with the board taking over his responsibilities. This decision followed the internal announcement of Zhang's suspension and the dismissal of other key executives [1][3]. - The company has experienced a series of high-level management changes, including the resignation of Vice President Peng Xin in September 2023, indicating instability within the core management team [3]. Financial Performance - Zhixing Star's financial performance has deteriorated, with a 20.70% decrease in revenue to 551.26 million yuan in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period last year. The net profit attributable to shareholders fell by 47.15% to 110.65 million yuan [11][12]. - The company's reliance on a single flagship product, "Clash of Kings," has led to structural issues, as it has not successfully launched new games of similar impact since [13]. Historical Context - Founded in 2008, Zhixing Star was one of the first Chinese gaming companies to expand internationally, achieving significant success with "Clash of Kings," which became a benchmark in the mobile gaming industry [5][6]. - The company was acquired by Chinese Media in 2014 for 2.66 billion yuan, which provided it with capital support to continue operating and developing its flagship products [9]. Industry Challenges - The competitive landscape in the Chinese gaming market has intensified, with major players like Tencent and NetEase dominating due to their strong R&D capabilities and IP reserves. New entrants are also emerging, further fragmenting the market [14]. - The new management faces the challenge of stabilizing team morale and ensuring a smooth transition while also needing to identify new growth opportunities to rebuild core competitiveness in a rapidly changing industry [14].