3 6 Ke·2025-12-31 13:54Core Viewpoint - The gaming industry in 2025 has seen a significant number of product shutdowns, with a total of 117 games ceasing operations, indicating a challenging market environment where "success is rare and failure is common" [1][23]. Group 1: Major Companies and Their Shutdowns - Tencent and NetEase, two major players in the gaming industry, have shut down numerous projects this year, with NetEase closing 22 games and Tencent 18 games [2][4]. - Tencent's shutdowns primarily involved older products, many of which had been operational for over 8 years, such as "QQ Supermarket" which lasted 14 years [2][4]. - A significant portion of Tencent's closures included games that were under licensing agreements, indicating a strategic shift towards internal development and newer titles [4][6]. Group 2: Industry Trends and Observations - The trend of shutting down games reflects the industry's rapid iteration and competitive nature, with many products failing to meet market expectations [23][24]. - The concept of "second-generation battle royale" has emerged, with 23 games in this category experiencing shutdowns this year, highlighting the intense competition within this genre [11]. - The industry is witnessing a shift where established companies are focusing on consolidating their successful projects while discontinuing underperforming ones, a necessary step for healthy industry evolution [23][24]. Group 3: Notable Game Closures - Noteworthy closures include "Shooting the Eagle," which had a development cost of 1 billion, and "Endless Battlefield," both of which failed to meet expectations despite initial hype [8][9]. - The closure of "Return of the Dragon Tide" and "Golden Four Eyes" illustrates the pitfalls of blindly following market trends without maintaining unique product identity [20][22]. - The unexpected shutdown of "New Moon Journey," which had a stable audience and good reputation, underscores the unpredictability of the gaming market [22]. Group 4: Future Outlook - Despite the high number of closures, there is optimism for 2026, with anticipated releases such as "Shadow Blade Zero" and "Tomorrow's Ark: End of the World," suggesting a potential resurgence in the market [23][24]. - The industry may see a consolidation of resources towards more promising projects, which could lead to a healthier competitive landscape in the coming years [23].