Core Viewpoint - The lawsuit against Tencent regarding the matchmaking mechanism of "Honor of Kings" has raised public attention, with the plaintiff demanding transparency in the game's matchmaking algorithm [1][2]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit was filed by a player and lawyer named Sun Qianhe, who claims that the matchmaking mechanism is opaque and may manipulate player win rates [1][2]. - The court hearing took place on August 12, with the main dispute focusing on whether the matchmaking algorithm is a trade secret and should be disclosed [2]. - Sun Qianhe's lawsuit requests Tencent to reveal the factors influencing player matchmaking, including their weight in different game modes [2][3]. Group 2: Tencent's Response - Tencent denied the allegations in court, stating that the matchmaking mechanism has been publicly explained through various platforms [3]. - The company argued that disclosing the algorithm could lead to exploitation by malicious entities, potentially harming player interests [3]. - Sun Qianhe contended that Tencent's explanations do not provide sufficient clarity for players to understand if they are being targeted [3]. Group 3: Industry Context - "Honor of Kings" is one of the highest-grossing mobile games in China, contributing significantly to Tencent's gaming revenue, which reached 404 billion yuan in Q2 2025, a 17% year-on-year increase [5]. - The game celebrated over 100 million player logins during its ninth anniversary event, indicating its massive player base [5]. - The matchmaking mechanism has faced ongoing scrutiny from players, with Tencent previously asserting that it does not intentionally manipulate match outcomes [6].

Core Viewpoint - The lawsuit regarding the matchmaking mechanism of "Honor of Kings" has sparked significant debate about the transparency of game algorithms and their impact on player experience, with the plaintiff seeking to compel Tencent to disclose specific details of the matchmaking algorithm [1][2][4]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The plaintiff, Ms. Sun, claims that the matchmaking mechanism controls game outcomes, keeping her win rate around 50%, and demands the disclosure of the algorithm's details [2][4]. - Tencent presented evidence during the trial showing that many players had win rates exceeding 70%, countering the claim that the algorithm controls win rates [4]. - The court did not issue a ruling immediately after the trial, which lasted approximately five hours [1]. Group 2: Arguments from Both Sides - Ms. Sun argues that the matchmaking mechanism contributes to player addiction, violating laws aimed at protecting minors, while Tencent asserts that it has implemented measures to prevent underage gaming addiction and allows adults to manage their gaming time [5]. - Tencent maintains that the matchmaking algorithm is a trade secret and should not be disclosed, citing concerns over potential exploitation by malicious players [4][15]. Group 3: Legal and Ethical Considerations - The court questioned the legal basis for Ms. Sun's demand for algorithm disclosure, with references to existing laws that protect trade secrets and consumer rights [20][23]. - Legal experts argue that while consumers have a right to know certain information, this does not extend to proprietary algorithms or business strategies [23][25]. - The case raises broader questions about the balance between consumer rights and the protection of intellectual property in the gaming industry [25][27].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a legal case involving the game "Honor of Kings," where a player, Sun Qianhe, is suing Tencent, claiming that the game's matchmaking system is flawed and manipulates player win rates to maintain engagement [2][18]. Group 1: Legal Case Overview - Sun Qianhe, a player and lawyer, has raised concerns about the matchmaking mechanism in "Honor of Kings," alleging that it intentionally arranges matches to control player win rates around 50% [2][9]. - The court case has attracted attention, with Tencent presenting over 1,000 pages of evidence to counter Sun's claims, arguing that the matchmaking system is not designed to manipulate win rates [11][16]. - The court has yet to deliver a verdict on the case, and legal experts suggest that Sun's claims may face significant challenges [18][30]. Group 2: Matchmaking Mechanism - Sun Qianhe's main argument is based on her personal experiences of inconsistent matchmaking, where she feels that winning streaks lead to poor teammates and losing streaks lead to easy opponents [4][9]. - Tencent has defended its matchmaking system, stating that it does not aim to control win rates and has provided evidence of various players achieving win rates significantly above 50% [16][17]. - The company emphasizes that revealing the specific details of the matchmaking algorithm could harm the game's integrity and lead to exploitation by malicious players [16][22]. Group 3: Legal and Ethical Considerations - The case raises questions about the balance between players' right to know and the protection of commercial secrets, with legal experts debating the definition of "commercial secrets" in this context [20][22]. - Sun Qianhe's request for transparency in the matchmaking algorithm is seen as a challenge to the boundaries of commercial confidentiality, with some lawyers arguing that the algorithm qualifies as a protected secret [20][22]. - The article highlights the broader implications of the case for the gaming industry, particularly regarding how player engagement and fairness are managed within competitive gaming environments [27][28].

Core Insights - Tencent's Q2 revenue reached 184.5 billion RMB, a 15% year-on-year increase, with gaming revenue at 59.2 billion RMB, averaging approximately 650 million RMB daily [2][5] - The game "Honor of Kings" continues to be a significant revenue driver, generating nearly 1.2 billion RMB monthly in the first half of the year [2][5] - The ongoing legal dispute regarding the game's matchmaking algorithm has raised concerns about transparency and player rights [3][4] Financial Performance - Tencent's Q2 revenue was 184.5 billion RMB, up 15% year-on-year, with a net profit attributable to shareholders of 55.6 billion RMB, a 17% increase [5][6] - The gross margin improved from 53% to 57% year-on-year [5] - Domestic gaming revenue was 40.4 billion RMB, a 17% increase, while international gaming revenue reached 18.8 billion RMB, growing 35% [5][6] Game Performance - "Honor of Kings" remains Tencent's top-performing game, achieving over 10 billion USD in revenue in the first half of the year, maintaining a monthly income of approximately 11.95 billion RMB [5][6] - The game has shown a remarkable growth rate, with a 26% year-on-year increase in revenue despite no new commercial products launched in December [5][6] - Other long-standing games like "Peacekeeper Elite" also reported revenue growth, contributing to the overall success of Tencent's gaming portfolio [6] Legal and Social Issues - The legal case regarding the matchmaking algorithm of "Honor of Kings" has sparked significant public interest and debate about player rights and transparency [3][4] - The case highlights a conflict between Tencent's claims of having fulfilled its obligation to disclose algorithm details and the plaintiff's assertion that this does not constitute true transparency [3][4] - Social media discussions have intensified around the fairness of the game's matchmaking system, especially following incidents involving professional players [4] Game Development Challenges - Despite the success of "Honor of Kings," several derivative games have struggled to gain traction, with no new titles mentioned in Tencent's Q2 report [7][8] - The anticipated game "Honor of Kings: World" has faced delays and criticism regarding its development and potential market competitiveness [9] - Industry analysts suggest that the pressure to maintain the integrity of the "Honor of Kings" IP complicates the development of new games, as any perceived failure could tarnish the brand [9]

Core Viewpoint - The case of Sun Qianhe vs. Tencent, known as "China's first game algorithm case," raises significant questions about player rights to know the matchmaking mechanism in the popular game "Honor of Kings" [1][8] Group 1: Legal and Regulatory Aspects - The lawsuit is based on the Consumer Rights Protection Law, which grants consumers the right to know the true nature of the services they use, including the matchmaking mechanism in games [2][10] - Tencent argues that the matchmaking mechanism does not fall under the category of consumer rights and that the outcome of games is influenced by various factors beyond the matchmaking system [2][5] - Legal experts note that while game companies must disclose certain random mechanisms, there is currently no explicit legal obligation to disclose matchmaking algorithms [3][4] Group 2: Technical and Competitive Considerations - Tencent claims that the matchmaking mechanism is a technical solution designed to create fair and balanced matches, which provides a competitive advantage and is considered a trade secret [5][6] - The potential public disclosure of the matchmaking algorithm could lead to exploitation by malicious players, undermining the gaming experience for others [6][7] - The complexity of the matchmaking process and its interdependencies with other game systems necessitates careful consideration before any public disclosure [7] Group 3: Consumer Rights and Industry Balance - The case has sparked discussions about the balance between consumer rights and industry development, emphasizing the need for transparency while protecting business secrets [8][10] - Stakeholders express hope that the case will enhance understanding of game mechanisms and improve trust between players and game operators [8][10] - The ongoing debate highlights the importance of finding a middle ground where players feel informed while companies can safeguard their competitive advantages [9][10]

Core Viewpoint - The lawsuit against Tencent by a player and lawyer highlights concerns over the fairness and transparency of the matchmaking algorithm in the popular game "Honor of Kings," suggesting that commercial secrecy should not shield companies from accountability [2][3]. Group 1: Lawsuit Background - The lawsuit, considered the "first case of game algorithm litigation in China," is set to be heard on August 12 in Shenzhen [2]. - The plaintiff, a seasoned player with seven to eight years of experience, seeks clarity on the matchmaking factors and their weight in different game modes [2][5]. - The plaintiff's dissatisfaction with the matchmaking mechanism led to the decision to file the lawsuit after extensive research revealed a lack of substantial information [5]. Group 2: Matchmaking Mechanism Concerns - Players have long criticized the matchmaking system in "Honor of Kings," with instances of professional players experiencing significant losses despite high performance [3][10]. - The official explanation of the matchmaking mechanism, based on the ELO system, is deemed insufficient and vague, leading to further player frustration [6][10]. - The plaintiff argues that other apps have successfully disclosed their algorithms, suggesting that Tencent should also provide a clearer understanding of its matchmaking process [7][10]. Group 3: Legal and Social Implications - The plaintiff emphasizes that the lawsuit aims to raise awareness among legal professionals and lawmakers about unfair practices in online gaming, particularly concerning matchmaking mechanisms that may contribute to player addiction [12][13]. - The case is seen as a potential catalyst for legal progress in addressing issues within the gaming industry, especially as technology evolves [12][13]. - The plaintiff expresses a desire for the lawsuit to succeed in prompting greater scrutiny of the gaming industry's practices, regardless of the outcome [12][13].