Group 1 - The core observation is that the gaming industry is witnessing a shift from content-driven games to gameplay-driven games, with notable declines in the performance of content-focused titles like "Genshin Impact" and "Honkai: Star Rail" [1][8][15] - The rise of gameplay-driven games is attributed to the emergence of innovative gameplay types, particularly "playable mini-games" and the "search-shoot-retreat" genre, which have gained significant popularity [2][4][6] - The overall market performance indicates that while content-driven games are cooling off, gameplay-driven games are experiencing a resurgence, reflecting a return to the fundamental question of whether games are enjoyable [3][6] Group 2 - Content-driven games face challenges such as high development costs and long production cycles, making them less accessible for smaller developers, which limits overall market output [10][12] - The marketing costs for content-driven games are rising, with difficulties in effectively conveying the game's appeal through short advertisements, leading to lower ROI compared to gameplay-driven titles [13] - Content-driven games often have weaker social features, resulting in lower user engagement and retention, as players may seek more interactive experiences found in gameplay-driven games [14] Group 3 - The perceived "cooling" of content-driven games does not indicate a decline in demand for high-quality narratives; rather, it suggests a market correction where only games with exceptional experiences will thrive [15] - The relationship between gameplay and content is complementary, with both elements necessary for a successful game, indicating that the market is evolving rather than diminishing [15]

Core Insights - The content creation industry is struggling to predict audience preferences, leading to challenges in producing engaging content [1][22] - The shift towards "content-driven games" emphasizes high-quality, fresh content to retain players, but the unpredictability of market demands complicates this process [1][23] - Traditional research methods are becoming less effective, as they often rely on past data rather than capturing emerging trends in player preferences [2][12] Group 1: Challenges in Content Creation - Content creators are increasingly reliant on capturing trends from popular culture, but the rapid changes in market dynamics make it difficult to identify what will resonate with audiences [4][20] - The fragmentation of user preferences complicates the creation of universally appealing content, as players have diverse and often conflicting tastes [5][20] - The industry is experiencing a shift where the emphasis on world-building and concepts is overshadowing narrative depth, leading to a disconnect between story and setting [10][13] Group 2: Market Dynamics - The content market is characterized by a lack of consensus among audiences, making it challenging for creators to produce content that appeals to a broad demographic [5][21] - The rise of "high-concept" content reflects a trend where creators prioritize visually striking and conceptually rich elements over narrative complexity [14][16] - The increasing complexity of user communities and the rise of niche subcultures complicate the content creation landscape, as creators must navigate overlapping audience segments [20][21] Group 3: Future Directions - Content creators are urged to embrace experimentation, as the pressure to deliver new content often leads to a reliance on trial and error [7][12] - The industry is witnessing a shift towards creating immersive worlds that prioritize player engagement over traditional storytelling methods [18][23] - As the market evolves, content creators must adapt to the changing landscape by focusing on unique world-building while balancing narrative elements [10][23]