Group 1 - The A-share market opened lower on December 3, with the Shanghai Composite Index down 0.14%, the Shenzhen Component down 0.13%, and the ChiNext Index down 0.04. The sectors showing weakness included lithium battery electrolyte, superhard materials, 6G, commercial aerospace, and CPO concept stocks, while themes related to cross-strait integration and AI applications showed strength [1] - As of December 2, the game ETF (159869) reached a product scale of 11.221 billion, facilitating investors to easily invest in leading A-share gaming companies [1] - The number of game approvals in November reached a new high for the year, with a total of 178 games approved, including titles from well-known manufacturers such as Bilibili and Perfect World. Year-to-date, 1,532 domestic games have been approved, while 93 imported games have been approved, with 6 in November [1] Group 2 - Among the games approved in November, "Star Sand Island," a life simulation game set in a subtropical island, has gained market attention. It features activities like fishing, livestock farming, and exploration. The game has previously appeared at major gaming events and has over 400,000 wish list entries on Steam as of November 13 [2] - Wanlian Securities predicts that competition in the life simulation game sector will intensify by 2026, with major game developers like miHoYo and Tencent entering the market. The success of "Star Sand Island" will depend on its differentiation and leveraging multi-platform advantages [2] - Related ETFs include the game ETF (159869), which focuses on leading companies in the A-share IP gaming industry, and the cultural and entertainment media ETF (516190), which provides balanced exposure across marketing, film, tourism, and IP toy sectors [2]

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Outperform the Market," indicating an expected relative increase of over 10% in the industry index compared to the broader market within the next six months [4][7]. Core Insights - The number of game approvals in November reached a record high, with 178 domestic games and 6 imported games approved, contributing to a total of 1,532 domestic games approved year-to-date [2][3]. - The game "Star Sand Island," developed by SEED LAB, is positioned in the life simulation genre and has garnered significant market attention, with over 400,000 wish list entries on Steam as of November 13 [2]. - The competitive landscape for life simulation games is expected to intensify in 2026, with major developers like miHoYo and Tencent entering the market, making differentiation crucial for success [2]. Summary by Sections Game Approval Statistics - In November, 178 domestic games and 6 imported games received approval, marking a significant increase in the approval rate [2]. - Year-to-date, 1,532 domestic games and 93 imported games have been approved [2]. Market Trends - The approval of diverse game types indicates a stable trend in the normalization of game approvals, contributing to the ongoing recovery of the industry [3]. - The report highlights the importance of product reserves, R&D capabilities, and diverse thematic layouts for leading companies in the industry [3]. Competitive Landscape - "Star Sand Island" is highlighted as a key title in the life simulation genre, with its success dependent on differentiation and leveraging multi-platform advantages [2]. - The report anticipates a competitive environment with several major players entering the life simulation market, emphasizing the need for unique offerings [2].