TENCENT(HK:00700) 雷峰网·2025-04-23 00:21Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the current state of the Chinese gaming market, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for companies amidst a stagnant market environment, with a focus on the recent approval of new games and the implications for industry players [2][4]. Game Approval Insights - On April 21, the National Press and Publication Administration approved a total of 127 games, with 46 being "casual puzzle" games, accounting for 39% of the approved titles [2]. - Mobile games dominate the approvals, with over 110 titles, while only two pure PC games were approved [2]. - Tencent's game "Path of Exile: Ascendancy" has over 2 million pre-registrations, indicating strong market interest [2]. Market Trends - The overall Chinese gaming market has stagnated around 300 billion RMB for several years, with growth momentum diminishing [4]. - Companies are increasingly conservative in their game offerings, preferring to release genres and models that have been previously validated by the market [4]. - The article notes that the approval of games like "Legend of Maifa" and "Monopoly: Top Winner" reflects a trend towards established game types that have been successful in the past [4]. Industry Challenges - An industry analyst suggests that the market is not yet facing a demand bottleneck, but rather a lack of decision-makers and talent on the supply side [4]. - The current game offerings are characterized by significant homogeneity, limiting player choices and leading to a reliance on social gameplay mechanics, which may not be essential for engaging game experiences [4]. - The normalization of game approvals raises questions about how companies can succeed in a zero-sum market environment [4].