Core Insights - Net revenue for NetEase-S (09999.HK) in Q3 2025 reached RMB 28.4 billion, representing an 8.2% year-on-year increase [1] - The net income from games and related value-added services was RMB 23.3 billion, up 11.8% year-on-year [1] - The company declared a dividend of $0.1140 per share, payable on December 5, 2025 [1] Financial Performance - Gross profit for Q3 2025 was RMB 18.2 billion, a 10.3% increase year-on-year [1] - Net profit attributable to shareholders was RMB 8.6 billion, with a non-GAAP net profit of RMB 9.5 billion [1] - Basic earnings per share were $0.38, equivalent to $1.90 per American Depositary Share [1] Gaming Performance - Classic games continue to attract players, with "Fantasy Westward Journey" PC achieving a peak concurrent player count of 3.58 million [2] - New game releases, including "Destiny: Stars" and "The Sea of Forgotten," are expanding the global product matrix [2][3] - Blizzard games like "World of Warcraft" and "Diablo IV" are enhancing the gaming experience for Chinese players [3] Strategic Focus - The CEO emphasized the importance of user experience and innovation in driving game quality and expanding the active player community [3] - The company aims to deliver high-quality Chinese games to global players through collaboration with global partners and top talent [3]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella believes the biggest competitor in the gaming industry is not other gaming platforms but short video platforms like TikTok [1][3] - Nadella emphasized that the largest gaming business for Microsoft is on Windows, which is also supported by a large market established by Steam [3] - Following the acquisition of Activision, Microsoft has become the largest publisher in the gaming industry, aiming to cover all platforms including consoles, PCs, mobile devices, cloud gaming, and TVs [3] Group 2 - The next-generation Xbox is expected to be a hybrid system that closely integrates with PC gaming, allowing access to games from various stores like Steam and Epic Games [3] - Nadella expressed the intention to innovate in both console and PC systems, challenging the traditional perception that consoles and PCs are entirely different devices [3] - The gaming industry needs to innovate its business models and explore new interactive media, as the real competition comes from short videos rather than other games [3]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q2 2025, total revenue reached RMB 2,070 million, representing a year-on-year decrease [5] - Revenue from office software and services increased by 14% year-on-year to RMB 1,360 million, while online games revenue decreased by 26% year-on-year to RMB 952 million [6][13] - Gross profit decreased by 9% year-on-year to RMB 1,854 million, with a gross profit margin of 80% [14][16] - Operating profit before share-based compensation costs decreased by 48% year-on-year to RMB 454 million [15] - Profit attributable to owners of the parent was RMB 532 million, compared to RMB 393 million in the previous year [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Office software and services accounted for 59% of total revenue, while online games and others made up 41% [12] - The WPS AI products saw significant enhancements, with nearly 13 million monthly active AI users in the first half of the year [7] - The online games business is focusing on enriching the classic GX series and expanding into new genres, with the flagship IP, GX3 Online, maintaining a stable user base [8][9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is actively participating in bidding for office software among government and enterprise sectors, maintaining a leading market share [8] - The international edition of WPS is being gradually improved to enhance collaboration and security capabilities [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is committed to increasing R&D investment in AI and collaboration, aiming to enhance product implementation across various office scenarios [10] - The online game business will focus on premier games and global expansion, aiming for long-term operational quality [11] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged challenges in the gaming industry, particularly regarding the new IP, MetroBrick, which requires time for adjustments and optimization [25][49] - For the office software segment, management expressed confidence in maintaining growth rates similar to the first half of the year, driven by AI collaboration improvements [30] Other Important Information - The company reported cash resources of RMB 25 billion as of June 30, 2025 [17] - Net cash from operating activities was RMB 665 million for 2025, down from RMB 1,374 million in 2024 [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Performance of MetroBrick and full-year revenue guidance for the gaming sector - Management noted that initial feedback for MetroBrick was positive, but adjustments are needed based on player feedback to enhance the gaming experience [22][23] Question: Outlook for WPS office business in the second half of the year - Management expressed strong confidence in the growth of the WPS office business, expecting continued success driven by AI features [29][30] Question: Trends in active user base and ARPU for JX3 - Management indicated that while there is pressure on maintaining user levels for JX3, they remain confident in its long-term operation [33][34] Question: Differentiation of WPS AI agent from competitors - Management emphasized that their AI solutions are tailored for specific office scenarios, which sets them apart from competitors [36][39]

Core Viewpoint - The company has announced a new game titled "Black Myth: Zhong Kui," diverging from expectations of a sequel to "Black Myth: Wukong," indicating a desire for differentiation and innovation in gameplay and storytelling [6][14][17]. Group 1: Announcement and Context - The new game "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" was revealed during the Opening Night Live at the Cologne Game Show, surprising many who anticipated a DLC for "Black Myth: Wukong" instead [1][15]. - The official website for "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" has launched, but currently provides limited information beyond the teaser and concept art [6][15]. Group 2: Development Insights - The decision to create "Zhong Kui" instead of a sequel to "Wukong" stems from a desire to explore new challenges and experiences, aiming to avoid falling into a creative rut [14][17]. - The development team expressed a strong inclination to start fresh with new heroes, gameplay mechanics, and visual styles, emphasizing a return to the initial fearless mindset when developing "Wukong" [11][14]. Group 3: Future Plans and Expectations - The game is expected to maintain the single-player action RPG format, similar to its predecessor, while introducing new elements and narratives [18]. - The release date for "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" remains unspecified, with the company encouraging fans to follow their official channels for updates [19][20].

Financial Performance - Net revenue for Q2 2025 reached RMB 27.9 billion (USD 3.9 billion), a year-on-year increase of 9.4% [1] - Gross profit was RMB 18.1 billion (USD 2.5 billion), reflecting a year-on-year growth of 12.5% [1] - Net profit attributable to shareholders was RMB 8.6 billion (USD 1.2 billion), up 27.26% year-on-year; basic earnings per share were USD 0.38 [1] - For the first half of 2025, net revenue totaled RMB 56.72 billion, a year-on-year increase of 8.37% [1] - Gross profit for the first half was approximately RMB 36.53 billion, growing 10.51% year-on-year [1] - Net profit attributable to shareholders for the first half was RMB 18.90 billion, a 31.33% increase year-on-year [1] Business Segments - Revenue from games and related value-added services was RMB 22.8 billion (USD 3.2 billion), a year-on-year increase of 13.7% [1] - Youdao's revenue was RMB 1.4 billion (USD 0.198 billion), reflecting a 7.2% year-on-year increase [1] - Net revenue from NetEase Cloud Music was RMB 2 billion, while revenue from innovation and other businesses was RMB 1.7 billion [1] Strategic Initiatives - The company launched various new content offerings to expand its player community, reinforcing its position as an innovator in the gaming industry [2] - The CEO emphasized the importance of innovative product design, systematic execution, and deep community interaction as core drivers of business progress [2] - The company aims to continuously explore new player experiences, develop self-owned IP products, and create enduring games while growing alongside global partners [2]

Core Insights - The 22nd China International Digital Interactive Entertainment Expo (2025 ChinaJoy) commenced on August 1 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center, attracting a large number of players to experience the latest game products from domestic and international exhibitors [1] - This year's event features the ChinaJoy Express game trial area, allowing small to medium-sized game teams to showcase their products and interact with players [1] - Observations at the event indicate a focus on popular global gaming themes such as post-apocalyptic wasteland, fantasy martial arts, and mystery exploration, with independent and creative games also emphasizing innovative gameplay and artistic styles [1]

Group 1 - The fifth China Game Innovation Competition awarded the Best Innovative Game awards to NetEase's "Yan Yun Shi Liu Sheng" and Tencent's "Yi Ren Zhi Xia" [1] - A total of 184 game works were collected during the competition, with 502 award applications submitted, covering 21 provinces and municipalities in China [1] - The competition recognized 18 award-winning works, 4 innovative teams, and 4 innovative individuals after multiple rounds of evaluation [1] Group 2 - The competition saw an expanded participation, with new entries from regions such as Tianjin, Yunnan, and Hong Kong, indicating a broader reach for game developers [2] - The number of submissions for the non-permanent award "Best Innovative Standalone Game" reached a record high of 94, showcasing the innovation and development potential in the standalone game sector [2] - The game "Cat Dream" is a cat-themed RPG developed by a team of 10, emphasizing high-quality content in the current gaming industry [2]

Core Insights - The fifth China Game Innovation Competition awarded 18 winning works, 4 innovative teams, and 4 innovative individuals, with NetEase's "Yan Yun Shi Liu Sheng" and Tencent's "Yi Ren Zhi Xia" winning the "Best Innovative Game Award" [1][2][8] Group 1: Award Highlights - The "Best Innovative Game Award" was the most notable, with the winners showcasing unique innovative concepts and outstanding practical results [2][3] - The competition saw a record number of 94 entries for the "Best Innovative Standalone Game Award," indicating a surge in innovation within the standalone game sector [2][7] - The "Best Innovative Chinese Culture Award" was awarded to "San Guo Wang Shen Zhou" for its innovative integration of traditional Chinese painting aesthetics with strategic gameplay [4][8] Group 2: Participation and Scope - A total of 184 game works were submitted, with 502 award categories, covering 21 provinces and municipalities in China, and Shanghai accounting for 23% of the submissions [6][7] - The competition's scope expanded this year, with new participants from regions like Tianjin, Yunnan, and Hong Kong, reflecting the vibrant development of the Chinese gaming industry [7][8] Group 3: Notable Winners - "Delta Force" won the "Best Innovative Art Award" for its top-tier graphics and visual effects, while "Honkai: Star Rail" received the "Best Innovative Music and Sound Award" for its unique audio design [4][8] - The "Best Innovative Social Value Award" was jointly awarded to "Happy Vision Planet: Vision Training System" and "Ancient Book Restorer" for their positive societal impact [4][8] - The "Best Innovative School Work Award" recognized student projects "Xia Zhi Da Zhe" and "Aliya," highlighting the creativity and potential of young game developers [5][8]

Core Viewpoint - The application of AI in the gaming industry is increasing, with a focus on computational power management as a necessary guarantee for innovation in gaming [1] Group 1: AI Solutions in Gaming - Baidu is providing AI solutions for the entire gaming industry, particularly ensuring stability and fault tolerance [1] - The full-stack programming intelligent agent ZULU developed by Baidu enhances game development efficiency through features like multi-tool integration, multi-modal efficient interaction, perfect adaptation to multiple IDEs, and real-time code effect preview [1] Group 2: Digital Human Technology - The digital human cloning technology demonstrated in the recent live broadcast by Luo Yonghao can enhance game operations by allowing game IPs to interact with users in various scenarios, thereby improving player experience [1]

Market Overview - On July 23, both the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index and the A-share Shanghai Composite Index rose, with the former stabilizing above 25,500 points, reaching a new high since November 2021, while the latter touched the critical 3,600 points [2] - The gaming sector in Hong Kong saw significant capital inflow, rising by 4%, with Tencent (00700.HK) being the largest contributor, increasing by 4.94% to HKD 552.0 per share, marking a new high since June 2021 [2][3] Company Performance - Tencent's stock performance was notable, with a significant increase in market capitalization, while other gaming stocks like Kingsoft (03888.HK), NetEase (09999.HK), Bilibili (09626.HK), and Xindong Company (02400.HK) also saw gains of 3.89%, 2.59%, 2.33%, and 1.56% respectively [2][3] - Flying Fish Technology (01022.HK) experienced the highest single-day increase of 49.15% following a profit announcement, projecting a net profit of approximately RMB 55 million to 70 million for the first half of 2025, compared to a loss of RMB 2 million in the same period last year [3][7] A-share Market - In the A-share market, the gaming sector also performed well, with ST Huatuo (002602.SZ) rising by 4.22%, and other companies like Gigabit (603444.SH) and 37 Interactive Entertainment (002555.SZ) also recording gains [4] Regulatory Environment - The National Press and Publication Administration approved 127 domestic games and 7 imported games in July, contributing to the positive sentiment in the gaming sector [5] - Notable approvals included Tencent's "Summon Adventure" and NetEase's "Diablo IV," indicating a steady release of new content in the market [5] Industry Trends - Analysts noted a solidifying trend of regular game approvals, coupled with domestic gaming innovations, suggesting a recovery in the industry's growth pace [6] - The summer season is a critical period for game developers, with many launching new titles aimed at enhancing player engagement through strong narratives and social elements [6] Financial Outlook - Market expectations for Tencent's Q2 2025 revenue and gross profit are optimistic, with projected year-on-year growth of 12% and 17% respectively, driven by an 18% increase in online gaming revenue [7] - HSBC forecasts NetEase's Q2 performance to be stable, with an expected revenue growth of 11%, supported by a significant increase in PC game revenue [8] - Analysts express a positive outlook for the gaming sector, citing improvements in supply and the emergence of quality content, alongside the impact of AI technology on cost reduction and efficiency [8]