Core Viewpoint - The rise of domestic "AAA" games in the international market is significantly influenced by unique Chinese cultural elements, with game developers leveraging advanced technology to integrate these cultural aspects into modeling, actions, and overall gaming experience [1]. Group 1: Game Development and Cultural Integration - Three domestic "AAA" games showcased at the Cologne Game Show highlight the use of advanced gaming technology to present Eastern aesthetics and tell Chinese stories, including "Black Myth: Wukong," "Shadow Blade Zero," and the new installment of "Gu Jian" [3]. - The development of "Gu Jian" has taken nearly two years and has now entered the mass production phase, with extensive testing conducted to vividly present Chinese elements in the game, such as the grass dragon inspired by traditional folk activities [5]. - The latest game engines and motion capture technologies have become standard for domestic "AAA" game developers, resulting in significant improvements in modeling precision and action effects [7]. Group 2: Industry Trends and Market Dynamics - The "AAA" game sector is characterized by long development cycles and substantial financial investments, with a surge in domestic "AAA" games reflecting a rapid influx of funding and adjustments within the industry chain since the "project boom" began in 2021 [9]. - The success of "Black Myth: Wukong" has attracted more attention to domestic "AAA" games, leading to a quick integration of the industry chain, with many companies previously engaged in foreign "AAA" game outsourcing now actively participating in domestic game production [9]. - At the recent Cologne Game Show, various "AAA" titles featuring local Chinese elements garnered significant interest from overseas players, indicating that domestic "AAA" games attract global audiences through solid content and unique cultural expressions rather than by deliberately catering to foreign markets [11].

Core Viewpoint - The announcement of the new installment of the "Gu Jian" series, a classic Chinese RPG, signifies a revival of a beloved IP that has successfully transitioned into a AAA game, appealing to both old and new players [1][9][41]. Group 1: Game Development and Features - The development of "Gu Jian" began in 2021, with over two years of formal development leading to its current production phase, aiming to be the first AAA swordplay game in China [10][14]. - The game will focus on linear storytelling and character development, moving away from the recent trend of open-world and souls-like gameplay, which aligns with traditional RPG elements [12][18]. - The narrative will be set in a fictional world based on Chinese mythology, where players will take on the role of a "Di Jie Si Pan," guiding souls and uncovering their stories [15][19]. Group 2: Market Context and Historical Significance - The "Gu Jian" series has been a significant player in the Chinese single-player game market, with its first installment released in 2010 achieving remarkable sales and recognition [31][39]. - The series has maintained a loyal fanbase over the years, with the latest announcement generating significant excitement and engagement, evidenced by over 10 million views on its first trailer within three days [8][20]. - The revival of "Gu Jian" comes at a time when the domestic single-player game market is experiencing a resurgence, with many players yearning for the return of classic RPG elements [41][44]. Group 3: Company Background and Financial Support - The developer, Candle Dragon, has received substantial financial backing from Tencent, which has allowed for team expansion and project development, contributing to the successful revival of the "Gu Jian" series [14][10]. - Candle Dragon was founded in 2007 by a team of experienced developers, including those from the renowned "Xian Jian" series, aiming to create a new standard for Chinese RPGs [23][25]. - The company has faced challenges in a market dominated by online games, yet it has consistently pushed for innovation and quality in single-player experiences [27][29].

Core Viewpoint - The launch of the domestic AAA game "Mingmo: Yuanshu Zhi Yu" was initially successful, topping sales charts on Steam, but quickly faced a significant decline in player reviews due to various technical and operational issues [1][3][9]. Group 1: Launch Performance - "Mingmo" achieved over 100,000 concurrent players within the first hour of its release and peaked at over 130,000 on launch day [1] - The game topped the global sales chart on Steam and the sales chart in China (excluding free games) on its release day [1] Group 2: Player Reception - The game's positive review rate on Steam dropped below 40% within hours of launch and fell to a low of 19% by the end of the first day [3] - Criticism focused on issues such as poor optimization, chaotic version rights distribution, and price discrepancies with other regions [5][6] Group 3: Technical and Operational Issues - Players reported significant frame rate drops and stuttering, even on high-end hardware like the RTX 4090, with frame rates fluctuating between 50-160 FPS [6] - The standard version of the game was priced at 248 CNY, while the deluxe version was 298 CNY, but players found inconsistencies in the rewards they received based on their purchase [6][9] Group 4: Market Context and Comparisons - The game was compared unfavorably to "Black Myth: Wukong," which had set high expectations for domestic AAA titles [10] - The marketing strategy, which included promises of low pricing and high performance, ultimately led to a breach of player trust when the product did not meet expectations [13] Group 5: Future Outlook - Despite the initial backlash, the game has begun to recover, with its review rate improving to 46% and daily positive ratings reaching 69% [22][23] - The ongoing updates and optimizations are seen as crucial for rebuilding player trust and improving the game's reputation [22][23]

Core Insights - ChinaJoy 2023 showcased a split between traditional gaming experiences and innovative mobile gaming environments, highlighting the evolution of the gaming industry in China [1][2][16] Group 1: Industry Trends - The presence of major domestic gaming companies like Perfect World and Century Huatong at ChinaJoy indicates the event's importance for showcasing recent achievements [2][11] - The absence of MiHoYo and Game Science, notable players in the industry, raises questions about their future participation in traditional gaming expos [2][11] - The event saw a significant increase in exhibitors, with 743 companies participating compared to over 600 last year, reflecting a growing interest in the gaming sector [16] Group 2: Game Highlights - The game "Shadow Blade Zero" attracted considerable attention, with long queues for gameplay, indicating strong player interest in new domestic AAA titles [5][9] - "Lost Soul," another game showcased, is nearing its final release version, set to launch on August 29, demonstrating the ongoing development of new titles [9] - "Ming Dynasty: Abyss of the Void" faced criticism for optimization issues but has seen a recovery in player reviews following recent updates, highlighting the importance of community feedback [9][11] Group 3: Technological Innovations - Huawei's participation with over 50 native HarmonyOS games signifies a shift towards multi-device gaming experiences, expanding beyond traditional platforms [13][15] - The introduction of immersive gaming experiences through various devices, including smart TVs and cars, showcases the potential for cross-platform gaming in the future [15] - The HarmonyOS ecosystem is being viewed as a new opportunity for game developers, indicating a shift in the competitive landscape of mobile gaming [15] Group 4: Competitive Landscape - The success of the BW exhibition, which attracted 400,000 attendees, suggests a growing competition for audience attention in the gaming and anime sectors [16][17] - The emergence of alternative events like BW and initiatives by platforms such as Xiaohongshu to capture the youth market indicates a need for ChinaJoy to innovate and engage younger audiences [16][17]

Core Insights - The 22nd ChinaJoy was held from August 1 to 4 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center, showcasing various domestic AAA games [1] - Sony's booth featured several notable titles, including "Shadow Blade Zero," "Black Myth: Wukong," and "Lost Soul," with "Shadow Blade Zero" attracting significant attention from players [1] Game Highlights - "Shadow Blade Zero" was particularly popular, with many players queuing for a chance to experience the game [1] - Due to time constraints, only a few boss levels and parts of the map were available for players to try out [1] - The game incorporates various traditional martial arts styles into its fast-paced action gameplay, enhancing aspects such as combat feel, camera work, and overall fluidity [1] Development Details - "Shadow Blade Zero" is developed and published by Beijing Lingyoufang, utilizing Unreal Engine 5 for its third-person action-adventure RPG format [1] - The game has previously undergone multiple rounds of public testing [1]

Core Insights - The success of "Black Myth: Wukong" with 30 million copies sold has set a milestone for Chinese gaming and opened the door for domestic AAA titles [1][2] - The highly anticipated game "Mingmo: Yuanshu Zhi Yu" launched on July 24 but faced significant backlash, quickly receiving a flood of negative reviews on Steam [1][3] - The failure of "Mingmo: Yuanshu Zhi Yu" serves as a warning to other developers in the industry about the challenges of meeting high expectations [6][7] Game Performance - "Mingmo: Yuanshu Zhi Yu" was expected to replicate the success of "Black Myth: Wukong" but fell short, with Steam reviews dropping to below 30% positive shortly after launch [3][4] - The game had over 1 million wishlists prior to release and topped the Steam global sales chart during pre-sale, indicating high initial interest [2][4] - Players reported issues such as poor optimization, incorrect pre-order rewards, and pricing discrepancies, leading to widespread dissatisfaction [3][4] Industry Trends - The success of "Black Myth: Wukong" has inspired major gaming companies to invest in AAA game development, with notable projects like NetEase's "Guitang" and Light Media's upcoming AAA title [6][7] - Industry analysts suggest that focusing on high-quality single-player games can lead to both critical acclaim and commercial success, particularly for major players like Tencent and NetEase [7][8] - The push for AAA games is seen as beneficial for both domestic and international players, providing culturally rich gaming experiences [7][8]

Core Viewpoint - The launch of the domestic single-player game "Mingmo: Yuanshu Zhi Yu" faced significant backlash due to performance issues, bugs, and pricing discrepancies, leading to a rapid decline in player reviews and a public apology from the developers [2][3][4]. Group 1: Game Development and Launch - "Mingmo" was developed by Chengdu Lingze Technology Co., which has previously worked on notable projects like "Crossfire" and "Monster Hunter" [3]. - The game was officially announced in 2019 and had a development cost exceeding 200 million yuan [3]. - It was marketed as a "domestic AAA game" and received considerable attention prior to its release [3]. Group 2: Player Reception and Feedback - Upon its global launch on July 24, "Mingmo" achieved a peak concurrent player count of over 132,000, ranking first among non-free games on Steam [3]. - However, within 24 hours, the game's review rating plummeted to below 30%, entering the top ten of Steam's negative review list, primarily due to optimization issues and bugs [3][4]. - Players reported problems such as unstable frame rates, crashes in certain scenes, and poor mouse and keyboard compatibility [3][4]. Group 3: Official Response and Future Plans - The developers issued an apology shortly after launch, acknowledging the game's performance shortcomings and committing to three hotfix updates within two weeks to address these issues [4]. - As a gesture of goodwill, the company promised to provide all purchasers with a free soundtrack collection [4]. Group 4: Industry Context and Future Outlook - The release of "Mingmo" comes amid a surge in interest in domestic AAA games following the success of "Black Myth: Wukong" [8][9]. - Industry analysts note that despite the initial negative reception, the unique cultural themes and long-term operational strategies of "Mingmo" could allow it to replicate the later success of "Black Myth: Wukong" if the developers fulfill their commitment to continuous improvement [9].

Core Insights - The action game "Mingmo: Yuanshu Zhi Yu" developed by a domestic team was released on July 24 and quickly gained popularity, reaching over 100,000 concurrent players on Steam within an hour and ranking third on the Steam weekly sales chart [1][2] - The game is set in the late Ming Dynasty and features a protagonist named "Wuchang" who explores an open world filled with threats from a disease, showcasing the creativity of Chinese developers in the AAA game industry [1][3] Game Reception and Market Potential - The game has generated high expectations, with over 100 million views for its promotional video and more than 1 million wishlists on Steam, indicating strong interest from both domestic and international players [2][3] - Tianfeng Securities predicts that the Chinese AAA game market will reach 13.3 billion yuan in 2025 and grow to 16.9 billion yuan in 2026, with "Mingmo: Yuanshu Zhi Yu" and "Black Myth: Wukong" driving international publishers' investments in the Chinese market [2] Cultural and Historical Elements - The game's narrative is based on ancient Shu civilization and incorporates elements from historical texts such as "Shan Hai Jing" and "Hua Yang Guo Zhi," providing a rich cultural backdrop for players [2][3] - The development team utilized real-world scanning techniques from 50 cultural tourism sites to create authentic in-game environments, aiming to reflect the historical and cultural significance of locations like the Sanxingdui site [3][4] Development Insights - The production team aims to innovate within the "Souls-like" genre by introducing a unique combat system centered around the "Xu Yu" resource cycle, which enhances gameplay dynamics [2][4] - The team believes that the Chinese market offers significant advantages for developers, fostering creativity and collaboration within the industry, while also acknowledging the challenges of a rapidly evolving market [4]

Core Insights - The launch of the game "Mingmo: Yuanshu Zhi Yu" has been met with overwhelmingly negative reviews, with a player approval rate of only 19% based on 2,692 reviews on Steam, indicating significant dissatisfaction among players [1] - The game's failure is attributed to a combination of technical issues, trust erosion, and poor content positioning, leading to a catastrophic reception [2] Technical Issues - The game suffers from severe optimization problems, with high-end graphics cards like the RTX 4090 struggling to run the game at low resolutions, and common issues such as controller compatibility failures and missing key features [2][3] - The development team lacks the necessary technical foundation to effectively utilize the Unreal Engine 5, resulting in a subpar gaming experience [3][5] Trust Erosion - The release strategy was flawed, with permanent price reductions in certain regions on launch day, undermining player trust [2][5] - Operational mishaps, such as standard edition players receiving deluxe edition rewards, further damaged the credibility of the game's release [2][5] Content Positioning - The game attempts to merge the brutal history of the Ming Dynasty with Cthulhu mythology but ends up with a disjointed narrative that fails to resonate with players [2][4] - Historical events and figures are poorly represented, leading to accusations of historical distortion, which alienates history enthusiasts [2][4] Industry Reflection - The failure of "Mingmo" highlights the challenges faced by domestic AAA game developers, particularly in terms of technical capabilities and industrial maturity [3][5] - The contrasting success of "Black Myth: Wukong," which has a solid technical foundation and clear cultural expression, serves as a benchmark for future projects [5][6] Market Positioning - "Black Myth: Wukong" has a clear target of presenting Chinese stories with top-tier production standards, while "Mingmo" suffers from a lack of clear direction and technical ambition [6] - The industry must recognize that the "domestic" label is shifting from emotional support to a standard of scrutiny, with players expecting adherence to international quality benchmarks [7] Path Forward - For "Mingmo," immediate actions such as releasing significant optimization patches and addressing operational issues are crucial for rebuilding trust [7] - Smaller teams in the industry should focus on their strengths and explore differentiated niches rather than blindly pursuing AAA standards [7]

Core Viewpoint - The release of the domestic AAA game "Mingmo: Yuanshu Zhi Yu" is highly anticipated, following the success of "Black Myth: Wukong," and it has already topped the Steam global sales chart shortly before its official launch [2][3]. Group 1: Game Performance and Reception - "Mingmo: Yuanshu Zhi Yu" achieved the top position on the Steam global sales chart, excluding free games and Steam Deck, indicating strong market interest [2]. - As of 7:45 AM on the day of release, the official account for "Mingmo: Yuanshu Zhi Yu" on Bilibili had garnered 3.422 million views for its final trailer [3]. - IGN China rated "Mingmo: Yuanshu Zhi Yu" 9 out of 10, reflecting positive critical reception prior to its release [8]. Group 2: Game Characteristics and Development - The game is set in the turbulent late Ming Dynasty in the Bashu region, featuring a protagonist named Wuchang who embarks on a perilous journey, incorporating elements of Cthulhu mythology and a dark, eerie tone [6]. - The game is categorized as a "Souls-like" game, which is expected to have a higher difficulty level compared to "Black Myth: Wukong," potentially deterring casual players [6][10]. - The production cost of "Mingmo: Yuanshu Zhi Yu" is among the highest for single-player games in China, suggesting significant investment in its development [8]. Group 3: Market Position and Future Potential - The game is viewed as a potential successor to "Black Myth: Wukong," often referred to as the "second university student" in the domestic AAA game landscape, indicating high expectations for its performance [4]. - Despite the challenges in replicating the success of "Black Myth: Wukong," the game is expected to attract a substantial audience of single-player game enthusiasts, showcasing the diversity of domestic game development [6][10].