Core Viewpoint - NetEase CEO Ding Lei acknowledged the impact of a competing product on their offerings during the summer, particularly among users in second- and third-tier cities, drawing attention to Giant Network's new game "Supernatural Action Group" [1][3]. Market Performance - "Supernatural Action Group" has shown a textbook-level market performance since its launch in January 2025, with exponential growth in user base and revenue [3]. - The game reached a peak ranking of 4th on the iOS sales chart in July and has maintained a position within the top 20 since then [3][5]. - As of July, the game reported over 1 million concurrent users, indicating its entry into the top tier of games [5]. Factors Behind Success - The success of "Supernatural Action Group" is attributed to multiple factors, including a precise market positioning that combines "Chinese micro-horror" themes with strong social gameplay, appealing particularly to young female players [7][8]. - The development team, led by a post-95 producer, has a deep understanding of Gen Z players' needs for emotional and social connections, which has been crucial for the game's design [8]. - Continuous content updates and user co-creation have driven sustained growth, with significant events and new versions released regularly [8]. Financial Impact - The financial success of "Supernatural Action Group" is beginning to reflect in Giant Network's financial statements, with a reported revenue of 1.662 billion yuan for the first half of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 16.47% [10]. - By the end of Q3 2025, the company achieved a revenue of 3.368 billion yuan, up 51.84% year-on-year, and a net profit of 1.417 billion yuan, up 32.31% [10]. - The total contract liabilities increased to 1.33 billion yuan by the end of Q3, largely attributed to the contributions from "Supernatural Action Group" [10]. Strategic Insights - Giant Network's CEO emphasized the importance of long-term commitment and deep market understanding, stating that the success of "Supernatural Action Group" is a result of trusting and empowering young teams to focus on their strengths [13]. - The company aims to focus on areas where it has accumulated knowledge and experience, allowing for sustained investment and exploration [13][14]. Industry Implications - The success of "Supernatural Action Group" highlights the value of niche markets in a highly competitive gaming landscape, suggesting that targeting unmet needs can lead to significant growth [15]. - Understanding the demands of Gen Z users is becoming a core competitive advantage for gaming companies, as demonstrated by Giant Network's approach [15]. - The emphasis on long-term strategies over short-term gains is crucial in the gaming industry, with a focus on continuous improvement and iteration [15][16].