Core Insights - The Chinese gaming industry has shown stable growth despite a lack of blockbuster new releases in 2025, indicating maturity and resilience against cyclical downturns [1][27] - Tencent maintained its leading position in global mobile game revenue, with significant contributions from its long-standing titles like "Honor of Kings" and "Peacekeeper Elite" [3][5] - The absence of new hits in 2025 is attributed to the high production costs and long development cycles of new games, making it difficult for newcomers to compete with established titles [9][14] Group 1: Industry Performance - The Chinese gaming market achieved a 10.23% growth in overseas revenue despite a stagnating global gaming industry [17] - The top five Chinese game publishers in terms of global revenue included Tencent, DianDian Interactive, NetEase, Lemon Microfun, and miHoYo, with Tencent leading the pack [3][20] - The performance of "Honor of Kings" was particularly notable, generating over $1.6 billion in revenue and dominating the global mobile game revenue charts for eight months [3][5] Group 2: Game Development Trends - The long-standing games strategy has proven effective, allowing companies to maintain cash flow and user engagement during market stagnation [7][27] - The development costs for new games have increased significantly, leading to longer production times and fewer new releases [14][27] - The second year of decline in the two-dimensional game segment, with a 3.64% drop in revenue, highlights the challenges faced by this niche [11][24] Group 3: Market Dynamics - The success of established titles has created a high barrier for new entrants, limiting opportunities for smaller developers [9][16] - The SLG (Simulation and Strategy Game) genre remains a strong performer in overseas markets, with titles like "Whiteout Survival" achieving over $4 billion in cumulative revenue [20][22] - The rise of female gamers has been identified as a new growth engine in the gaming market, supporting the success of titles like "Love and Deep Space" [13][24]

Core Viewpoint - NetEase's CEO Ding Lei acknowledged that the company's main products are facing competition, particularly from Giant Network's new hit game "Supernatural Action Group" [1][2] Company Performance - "Supernatural Action Group," launched in January 2025, has seen over 1 million concurrent users within six months and reached the top 4 in the iOS sales chart, indicating strong market performance [3][17] - The game’s Halloween version significantly boosted its rankings, moving from around 20 to the top 10 in both the iOS free and sales charts [10][11] Team and Development - The game was developed by a young team, primarily consisting of post-95 and post-00 members, who have prior experience with successful projects like "Ball Battle" and "Space Kill" [4][16] - The team’s deep understanding of young users and their preferences has been a key factor in the game's success, as evidenced by their active engagement on social media [5][10] Industry Trends - The success of "Supernatural Action Group" reflects a broader trend in the gaming industry where studios are increasingly led by younger teams who are more in tune with current user preferences [4][17] - The game has redefined the micro-horror genre by combining cultural familiarity with social connectivity, appealing to younger audiences [17][20] Company Strategy - Giant Network emphasizes a long-term approach to game development, focusing on nurturing young talent and allowing them autonomy in their projects [12][14] - The company has shifted away from chasing market trends to a strategy of deepening expertise in areas where they have established knowledge [13][20] Competitive Landscape - The emergence of "Supernatural Action Group" has created competitive pressure on existing titles like "Identity V," as indicated by the decline in its rankings following the new game's release [17][20] - The gaming industry is witnessing a shift where established players must adapt to the innovative strategies of newer competitors like Giant Network [20]

Core Insights - NetEase's CEO Ding Lei acknowledged that the company's main products are facing competition, particularly from Giant Network's new hit game "Supernatural Action Group" [1][2] - "Supernatural Action Group" has shown remarkable growth, surpassing 1 million concurrent users within six months of its launch and reaching the top 4 in the iOS sales chart [3][11] - The success of "Supernatural Action Group" is attributed to its young development team, which has a deep understanding of the preferences of younger users [4][5] Company Performance - Giant Network's "Supernatural Action Group" has maintained a strong presence in the iOS free and sales charts, with its Halloween version propelling it from around 20th to the top 10 [9][11] - The game is positioned as a long-term product rather than a short-term hit, reflecting the company's strategy of focusing on sustainable growth and user engagement [12][13] Industry Trends - The gaming industry has seen a shift towards teams that are sensitive to current user preferences, which has contributed to the success of "Supernatural Action Group" [4] - The game redefines the micro-horror genre by combining cultural familiarity with social connectivity, appealing to the younger demographic's dual needs for cultural recognition and social sharing [17] - The competitive landscape has shifted, with "Supernatural Action Group" impacting the performance of established titles like "Identity V," as evidenced by their respective rankings on the iOS charts [17][20] Organizational Strategy - Giant Network is implementing a young talent strategy, allowing younger team members to take on leadership roles and participate in strategic decision-making [14][15][16] - The company emphasizes a long-term approach to game development, focusing on continuous improvement and user satisfaction rather than chasing fleeting trends [13][12] Market Impact - The success of "Supernatural Action Group" has created competitive pressure on existing products, leading to strategic adjustments in the industry [20] - The game's performance has prompted industry leaders to reassess their strategies and understand the importance of connecting with younger audiences [20]

Core Insights - NetEase's revenue growth in Q3 2025 was primarily driven by its game "Evergreen Games," achieving a net income of 28.4 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 8.2% [2] - The company reported a net profit of 9.5 billion yuan under non-GAAP standards, reflecting a significant year-on-year growth of 33.3% [2] Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, NetEase's net income reached 28.4 billion yuan, compared to 27.9 billion yuan in the previous quarter and 26.2 billion yuan in the same quarter last year [3] - Revenue from games and related services was 23.3 billion yuan, with a 2.2% increase from the previous quarter and a 11.5% increase year-on-year [3] - Online games accounted for approximately 97.6% of the revenue in this segment, up from 97.1% in the previous quarter and 96.8% year-on-year [3] Game Performance - The increase in online game revenue was attributed to self-developed games like "Dream of the Westward Journey" and "Reverse Water Cold," as well as several agency games [3] - "Dream of the Westward Journey" achieved a record high of 3.58 million concurrent players, marking a strong performance in long-term game operation [3][4] - The launch of the "Dream of the Westward Journey" free play server aimed to attract long-lost users and new players by simplifying gameplay and removing time-based charges [4][5] New Game Development - NetEase introduced several new games in Q3, including "Fate: Stars" and "Reverse Water Cold," which performed well in both domestic and international markets [6] - The company is focusing on the upcoming game "Forgotten Sea," which is being developed with a self-built engine and will be available on multiple platforms [7] Industry Context - Tencent's gaming revenue in Q3 was 63.6 billion yuan, with significant growth in both domestic and international markets, highlighting the competitive landscape [7] - Analysts noted that while NetEase's older games are evolving into IP extensions, Tencent's established titles continue to perform strongly, indicating differing strategies in a saturated market [8] Internal Adjustments - Following the return of CEO Ding Lei, NetEase has undergone organizational adjustments, including staff changes aimed at enhancing focus and efficiency [9][10] - The company is prioritizing long-term projects and optimizing resources towards successful teams while being decisive about underperforming ones [10]

Core Insights - Tencent reported Q3 2025 revenue of 192.87 billion RMB, a 15% increase year-over-year from 167.19 billion RMB in Q3 2024 [1] - Operating profit reached 63.55 billion RMB, up 19% year-over-year, while adjusted net profit was 70.55 billion RMB, an 18% increase [1] - For the first three quarters of 2025, total revenue amounted to 557.40 billion RMB, a 14% increase compared to 487.81 billion RMB in the same period of 2024 [1] Gaming Business Performance - Tencent's gaming revenue for Q3 was 63.60 billion RMB, with domestic market revenue at 42.80 billion RMB (15% growth) and international market revenue at 20.80 billion RMB (43% growth) [1][4] - International gaming revenue accounted for 33% of total gaming revenue, marking the highest growth rate since the segment began disclosing performance separately [4] - The growth in international revenue was driven by Supercell's game performance and contributions from recently acquired game studios, particularly the success of "Dying Light: Stay Human" [4] Key Game Titles and Innovations - Supercell's titles, including "Clash Royale" and "Brawl Stars," achieved record highs in daily active users and revenue, contributing to international growth [4] - "Dying Light: Stay Human," released by Techland, has seen pre-orders exceed 1 million, with estimated total sales surpassing 1.5 million [4][6] - Tencent's long-standing games like "Honor of Kings" and "Peacekeeper Elite" continue to drive growth, with "Peacekeeper Elite" achieving a peak DAU of 37 million [6][10] Future Outlook - Tencent's gaming segment is expected to maintain steady growth, with upcoming titles like "Ultimate Showdown" and "Rock Kingdom: World" set to launch in Q4 [12] - The company is focusing on a diverse gaming ecosystem, leveraging long-term strategic investments in R&D, global expansion, and product innovation [10][12]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The gaming industry is experiencing continuous innovation in game genres and breakthroughs in evergreen games, with significant growth potential despite a slowdown in user acquisition competition and gameplay innovation [2][9] - The market for female-oriented games in China is projected to reach 8 billion yuan in 2024, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 124%, driven by an increasing female user base [6] Key Companies and Performance - Notable companies in the gaming sector include Giant Network, G-bits, Perfect World, Kain Technology, Shenzhou Taiyue, and 37 Interactive Entertainment, all showing strong performance [3] - Giant Network's "Supernatural Action Group" has achieved significant daily active users (DAU) and is expected to release strong performance in Q3 [21] - G-bits has seen its profit forecasts revised upwards due to the success of its games, including "Wanjian Changsheng" [26] - Perfect World is entering a new game release cycle, with promising results from its recent titles [28] - Kain Technology is leading in AI layout and is expected to see significant profits from its collaboration on legendary games [3] Game Trends and Innovations - The "search and escape" gameplay has gained popularity due to its high-risk, high-reward mechanics, appealing to players' psychological tendencies [5] - "Supernatural Action Group" fills a market gap with its low entry barrier and strong social attributes, attracting a large female user base, with 62% of its players being female [7] - The introduction of innovative gameplay elements in "Supernatural Action Group" has improved user retention and community engagement [10] Market Dynamics - The overseas SLG (strategy) mobile game market is expected to grow, with revenues projected to reach $12.5 billion in 2024 and $7.3 billion in the first half of 2025, reflecting year-on-year growth of 17% and 25% respectively [13][14] - Chinese companies are expected to generate $18.6 billion in overseas revenue in 2024, with strategy games accounting for approximately 41% of this figure [14] Challenges and Opportunities - The SLG mobile game segment faces challenges such as high user acquisition costs and low success rates, but successful titles can yield long lifecycles and stable profit releases [15][20] - The importance of evergreen games for small and medium-sized developers is highlighted, as they offer higher profit margins and more stable revenue streams compared to short-term products [12] Future Outlook - The gaming industry is expected to maintain strong growth momentum, with companies like ST Huadong, G-bits, and 37 Interactive Entertainment showing promising Q2 results [9] - The upcoming third quarter is anticipated to be crucial for performance, with several companies poised for growth based on their product pipelines and strategic positioning [9][23] Conclusion - The gaming industry is evolving with innovative gameplay and a focus on long-term engagement, particularly among female players. Companies that adapt to these trends and leverage their strengths in product development are likely to see continued success and growth in the coming years [2][9][12]

Summary of Evergreen Games Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference focuses on the evergreen games sector, highlighting the potential for significant revenue growth through effective operations, as demonstrated by Tencent's Supercell game "Clash Royale," which achieved $140 million in revenue in Q2 2025, a 90% quarter-over-quarter increase and over 40% year-over-year growth [2][3] - Companies with evergreen game potential typically possess high Daily Active Users (DAU) and social gameplay attributes, or own classic native IPs that can be continuously iterated and updated, particularly in SLG (Simulation and Strategy Games) and MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) genres, which have high player sunk costs and stronger user retention [2][5] Key Insights and Arguments - Evergreen game companies generally have valuations above the industry average, with companies like Nintendo, Take-Two, and Nexon showing strong forward Price-to-Earnings (PE) ratios, indicating high market expectations for future earnings [2][6] - As of early 2025, Nintendo's forward PE was 36, TikTok's was 27, and Nexon's was 26, averaging 26, which is higher than the average valuation of the A-share and Hong Kong game sectors, which is below 20 [7] - The operational methodology for evergreen games includes simple content updates, seasonal updates, and continuous iteration of core gameplay and monetization strategies, creating a platform that encourages ongoing player engagement and spending [9][10] Company-Specific Strategies - Tencent's strategy for 2025 emphasizes the operation of headlining games while adjusting its organizational structure to enhance producer incentives, focusing on long-term development and middle-tier games like "Crossfire" and "League of Legends" [4][11] - Nintendo aims to maintain user engagement by expanding gameplay on its platforms, creating "infinite" products that encourage continuous player interaction and consumption [12][13] - Tencent's overseas game revenue accounts for approximately 30%, with Supercell, Riot Games, and Miniclip being significant contributors [14] Potential Companies for Evergreen Games - Companies with successful evergreen game potential typically have large DAU advantages and social gameplay attributes, such as Tencent and Giant Network's new title "Supernatural Action Team" [5] - Companies with classic native IPs that can be continuously updated, like Nintendo with its Mario and Pokémon franchises, and Nexon with its Dungeon Fighter Online (DNF) IP, also show strong potential [5][29] - SLG and MMO games are identified as having longer lifecycle potential due to their inherent player engagement characteristics [30] Valuation Insights - Evergreen game companies are generally valued significantly higher than the industry average, with stable and continuous revenue growth being a key factor supporting these high valuations [6] - The report highlights the importance of maintaining a balance between hardware and software revenue, with Nintendo's software revenue becoming a more significant contributor as hardware sales plateaued [18][19] Conclusion - The evergreen games sector is characterized by companies that can maintain player engagement through continuous updates and strong IPs, leading to sustained revenue growth and higher valuations compared to the broader gaming industry. The strategies employed by leading companies like Tencent and Nintendo serve as benchmarks for success in this evolving market.

Core Viewpoint - The gaming sector is experiencing a surge, with Giant Network's stock hitting a new high, driven by strong financial performance and the launch of new games [1][3]. Financial Performance - In the first half of the year, Giant Network achieved revenue of 1.662 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 16.47%, and a net profit of 777 million yuan, up 8.27% [3]. - The company plans to distribute a cash dividend of 1.50 yuan per 10 shares to all shareholders [1]. - The flagship game "Original Journey" has added over 20 million new users in the first half of the year, with a stable monthly revenue of 100 million yuan [3]. New Game Launches - Giant Network's new game "Supernatural Action Group" launched on January 23, 2025, has seen significant market acceptance, with a monthly revenue of approximately 49.98 million yuan in June, a 141% increase [6]. - The upcoming game "Moonlight Night CCG" will begin limited testing on September 4, 2023, featuring a 1v1 card battle mode [7]. Strategic Development - The company is focusing on developing mini-games based on existing IPs to leverage user growth and revenue expansion [4][5]. - Analysts suggest that the integration of classic IPs with new game formats can create a sustainable development foundation for the company [8].

Core Viewpoint - Tencent is shifting its focus towards "evergreen games" as a strategic response to the changing dynamics in the gaming industry, particularly in light of recent legal challenges and market conditions [4][6][21]. Group 1: Evergreen Games Strategy - The term "evergreen games" refers to projects that have sustained popularity and revenue over time, with Tencent defining them as games generating annual revenue of at least 4 billion RMB and maintaining a daily active user (DAU) count of over 5 million for mobile games [6][7]. - Tencent currently has 14 games that meet the evergreen standard, including flagship titles like "Honor of Kings" and "Peacekeeper Elite" [7][11]. - The gaming industry has experienced a significant downturn since 2020, leading to a reduction in new project launches and a scarcity of blockbuster games, which has prompted Tencent to focus on maximizing the potential of its existing evergreen titles [7][12]. Group 2: Market Dynamics and Challenges - The gaming industry is facing a cyclical downturn, with a shift in player preferences towards diverse entertainment options such as live streaming and short videos, making the development of evergreen games a necessity for survival [43][44]. - Tencent's investments in content-heavy games and large-scale projects have not yielded the expected returns, leading to a strategic pivot back to platform games that leverage its established social networks and user bases [21][25][44]. - The company has faced significant challenges in developing new content-driven games, as evidenced by the high costs and risks associated with such projects, which have led to a preference for investing in existing successful titles [27][31]. Group 3: Development and Innovation - Tencent's approach to game development emphasizes the importance of industrialized processes and the ability to produce engaging content consistently, which is crucial for maintaining player interest in evergreen games [40][41]. - The company has recognized that the success of its evergreen games relies not only on strong operational strategies but also on the capability of development teams to deliver interesting content regularly [10][12]. - Tencent's historical investments in various game genres, including first-person shooters and MOBA games, have positioned it well to capitalize on the evergreen game strategy, as these genres typically have higher player retention rates [34][40].

Core Insights - The article discusses the historical significance of Shengda Network and its transformation into Shengqu Games, highlighting the emotional connection of the "Sheng Warriors" to the company's legacy and their aspirations for its future [1][4][6]. Group 1: Company History and Transformation - Shengda Network, founded by Chen Tianqiao, acquired the rights to the game "The Legend of Mir 2" in 2001, which significantly changed the company's trajectory and reshaped entertainment for Chinese youth [2][4]. - The success of games like "Bubble Hall" and "Adventure Island" led to Shengda's IPO on NASDAQ in 2004, establishing it as a major player in the gaming industry [4][6]. - The rebranding of Shengda Games to Shengqu Games in 2019 marked a formal separation from Shengda Network, although it retained significant brand value and user base [5][6]. Group 2: Leadership and Vision - Peng Cheng's return as CEO of Shengqu Games in 2024 is seen as a symbolic "Sheng Warrior return," aiming to revive the company's former glory and complete unfinished business [1][6]. - Peng Cheng emphasizes the need for a cultural and strategic shift within the company, focusing on innovation and revitalizing old IPs to drive growth [6][24]. Group 3: Financial Performance - Century Huatong's mid-year performance forecast indicates a revenue increase of approximately 83% to around 17 billion yuan, with a projected net profit growth of 107% to 159% [6][24]. - Shengqu Games has maintained a positive growth trajectory by refining gameplay and content, successfully rejuvenating the popularity and commercial value of its legacy IPs [6][24]. Group 4: Challenges and Strategies - The company faces challenges such as an aging workforce and the need for talent rejuvenation, with plans to lower the average age of employees while retaining experienced staff [18][19]. - Peng Cheng's strategy includes consolidating operations and focusing on core competencies, particularly leveraging existing IPs before exploring new product lines [24][25]. Group 5: Market Trends and Future Outlook - The gaming industry is evolving, with a focus on "evergreen games" and the challenge of reviving classic IPs while appealing to modern players [28][29]. - The company aims to balance nostalgia with contemporary gaming preferences, ensuring that new versions of classic games resonate with both old and new audiences [28][29].