Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the impending shutdown of NetEase's game "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," highlighting the challenges faced by the game and the broader implications for the MMORPG market in China [2][4]. Group 1: Game Shutdown Reasons - The official reason for the shutdown is the expiration of the IP cooperation period for "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" trilogy and adjustments in game operation strategy [4]. - The game's initial positioning aimed to focus on the "Jin Yong self-narrative universe," but issues with art style and character modeling led to significant problems [5][6]. Group 2: Game Performance and Feedback - Player feedback was overwhelmingly negative shortly after the game's launch, prompting a major overhaul that resulted in the release of version 2.0 [7]. - Despite the changes, the 2.0 version only served to prolong the game's life rather than revitalize it, as players were unlikely to invest more than two opportunities into the game [7][8]. Group 3: Market Context and Future Outlook - The shutdown of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" does not significantly impact NetEase's position in the MMORPG market, as other titles like "Yanyun Sixteen Sounds" are gaining traction with millions of users and substantial revenue growth [8]. - "Yanyun Sixteen Sounds" is positioned to inherit the legacy of NetEase's next-generation MMORPGs, demonstrating strong retention and conversion capabilities that pave the way for future growth [8].

Core Viewpoint - GRAVITY Co., Ltd. has officially launched Ragnarok M: Classic Global, an MMORPG mobile and PC game, in multiple regions including North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, certain areas of North Africa, and Oceania on September 3, 2025 [1]. Group 1 - Ragnarok M: Classic Global aims to provide a classic gaming experience reminiscent of early Ragnarok M: Eternal Love, featuring a Zeny-centered economy for fair gameplay [2]. - The game supports multiple languages including English, Portuguese, Spanish, and German, enhancing its accessibility to a broader audience [2]. - Positive feedback was received during the closed beta test (CBT) held in August, which has increased user anticipation for the official launch [2]. Group 2 - The PC version of Ragnarok M: Classic Global is available for download from the official website, while the mobile version can be accessed via Google Play and Apple App Store in their respective regions [2]. - The company expresses gratitude to global users for their patience and invites them to participate in various events celebrating the official launch [3]. - GRAVITY Co., Ltd. is recognized for its development and publishing of online and mobile games, with its principal product, Ragnarok Online, being popular in various markets including Japan and Taiwan, and currently offered in 91 regions [3].

Core Insights - Perfect World reported a revenue of 3.691 billion yuan for the first half of 2025, marking a year-on-year growth of 33.74% [1] - The company achieved a turnaround in net profit, with a net profit attributable to shareholders of 503 million yuan and a net profit of 318 million yuan after deducting non-recurring items [1] - The growth was primarily driven by the performance of the self-developed MMORPG "Zhu Xian World" and a stable contribution from the esports business [1] Financial Performance - The company recorded non-operating income of 185 million yuan, mainly from the disposal gains of the Chengfeng Studio in the first quarter [1] - The gaming segment generated 2.906 billion yuan in revenue, a year-on-year increase of 9.67%, with a gross margin of 68.9%, up 2.38 percentage points from the previous year [1] Business Structure - PC game revenue surged by 70.51% to 1.852 billion yuan, accounting for 50.18% of total revenue, while mobile game revenue fell by 33.04% to 968 million yuan, representing 26.23% of total revenue [2] - The decline in mobile game revenue was attributed to a strategic restructuring of projects, focusing resources on more promising titles [2] New Product Launches - The company accelerated the testing and launch of new products in the second quarter, with several games including "Persona: Nightshade" and "Zhu Xian 2" being released [3] - "I-Huan," a highly anticipated game, has garnered significant attention, with over 3 million taps on TapTap and over 1.5 million reservations on Bilibili [3] Film and Television Business - The film and television segment achieved revenue of 767 million yuan, a staggering increase of 756.35%, with a net profit of approximately 41.72 million yuan [4] - The company has produced several series and is actively developing short dramas, with "The Couple's Spring Festival" surpassing 500 million views [4]

Core Insights - The core issue identified by the company is the failure of the new game "解限机" to meet expectations, particularly in its monetization and player engagement strategies [1][4][11] Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, the company's gaming revenue was 1.988 billion yuan, a year-on-year decline of 10% [2] - Q2 revenue was 0.952 billion yuan, showing a year-on-year decline of 26% and a quarter-on-quarter decline of 8% [2] Game Launch and Reception - "解限机" generated approximately 0.1 billion yuan in its first month, but its peak player count on Steam dropped from 130,000 to 7,000 shortly after launch, indicating a significant decline in interest [4] - The game faced criticism for being both "pay-to-win" and requiring excessive time investment, leading to a perception of lost engagement among players [5][7] Key Mistakes Identified - The first major mistake was reducing the depth of monetization, which led to players feeling a lack of goals and engagement [5][7] - The second mistake involved uncontrolled gray market activities, which were exacerbated by the game's free-to-play model and multi-platform release, damaging the game's ecosystem [5][6] - The third mistake was the fragmentation of the player base across multiple platforms, which negatively impacted the matchmaking experience [6] Game Design Flaws - The game design failed to provide a satisfying feedback loop for player investment, leading to a sense of disinterest [8][10] - The initial player guidance was inadequate, failing to explain key gameplay mechanics, which contributed to player confusion [8] - The reward mechanisms were poorly structured, particularly in the early stages, discouraging casual players from engaging with the game [10] Industry Context - The company faces significant challenges in the mech and competitive gaming market, which has a naturally limited user base [11] - There is skepticism about whether the company can pivot "解限机" into a successful product without addressing its current issues, particularly in monetization and gameplay content [11]

Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, the company achieved operating revenue of 8.486 billion yuan and a net profit attributable to shareholders of 1.4 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year growth of 10.72% [1] - The company plans to distribute a cash dividend of 2.10 yuan per 10 shares, amounting to approximately 462 million yuan, with total dividends for the half-year expected to reach 924 million yuan [1] Product Development - The company has launched several successful new products, with the highest monthly revenue from mobile games reaching approximately 2.2 billion yuan [2] - Notable game releases include "Time Explosion," which topped the iOS free chart, and "Douluo Continent: Soul Hunter World," which quickly ascended to the iOS free chart and ranked 13th on the iOS revenue chart [2] - The company continues to maintain strong product vitality with titles like "Seeking the Great Thousand" and "Time Grocery Store," which have implemented innovative marketing strategies to enhance user engagement [2] Strategic Focus - The company is committed to deepening its focus on MMORPG, SLG, card games, and simulation management genres, with over twenty key products in development across various themes [3] - The company has established a robust return system for investors through consistent cash dividends, share buybacks, and executive stock purchases, with total cash dividends reaching 5.778 billion yuan over the past three fiscal years [3] - Starting in 2024, the company will increase its dividend frequency from semi-annual to quarterly, reinforcing its commitment to a stable and sustainable dividend policy [3]

Company Overview - GRAVITY Co., Ltd. is a developer and publisher of online and mobile games, known for its principal product, Ragnarok Online, which is popular in various markets including Japan and Taiwan [3]. Product Launch - PT Gravity Game Link, Gravity's subsidiary in Indonesia, has officially launched Dragonica Origin, an MMORPG PC game, in 10 regions of Southeast Asia on July 16, 2025 [1]. - Dragonica Origin features a fantasy world with dragons and magic, dynamic side-scrolling combat, and class-specific comic skills, offering a unique play style [2]. Market Positioning - The company emphasizes that Dragonica Origin combines nostalgic elements of classic online games with exciting side-scrolling action, targeting players looking for a retro-style gaming experience [3].

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The gaming industry is experiencing performance divergence in 2024, with Kaiying Network achieving impressive revenue of 1.35 billion and turning a profit, while 37 Interactive Entertainment and Taiyue Information fell short of expectations due to marketing expenses and product competition, indicating intensified industry competition [1][2][3] Core Companies and Their Performance - Kaiying Network and Huatuo are expected to have a higher success rate in the future. Jibite is anticipated to grow due to its reserve products like "Warship Legend" and "Nine Woods in the Wild," maintaining a relatively stable market position [3][1] - In Q1 2025, Kaiying's revenue was approximately 510 to 520 million, Perfect World reported 300 million, and Jibite achieved 283 million. ST Huadong performed exceptionally well at 1.35 billion, while Youzu managed to turn a profit [2] Emerging Technologies and Trends - The integration of AI and gaming shows promising prospects. Successful cases include 1V1 games that utilize AI models and VR/XR technologies, enhancing user experience through 3D AR scene construction. For instance, "Love and Deep Space" helped increase Zhe Paper's revenue from 1.4 billion to 7 billion [4][5] - The combination of AI, AR, and virtual human technologies is expected to further enhance immersion and user experience in gaming [4][5] Notable Game Genres - MMORPG, SLG, and casual gaming are highlighted as important areas to watch. MMORPG and SLG have long lifecycles and can integrate various gameplay styles, while casual games are performing well in the Western markets, with increased fragmented time in China providing opportunities [6][7] - The lifecycle of successful JSR games can reach 8 to 10 years, attracting high ARPU users and forming stable player communities [6] Upcoming Game Releases - A significant number of new games are set to launch in 2025, with Kaiying Network having the most reserves, including "Douluo Dalu: The Legend of the Exorcist" and "Tomb Raider: The Journey." Other companies like 37 Interactive Entertainment, Tencent, and NetEase also have substantial reserves [8][9] - Key products from Kaiying Network include "Douluo Dalu: The Legend of the Exorcist," which features deep design for combo attacks, and "Tomb Raider: The Journey," which combines Dungeons & Dragons and ARPG elements [10] Company-Specific Highlights - Jibite is launching "Sword Legend," a JRPG that incorporates a pet-catching system, and "Nine Woods in the Wild," which enhances real-time strategy gameplay [13] - Giant Network's new titles include "Supernatural Action Group," a Chinese horror-themed game, and "5000 Years," a historical strategy game [12] - Mingchen Health's core product is "Realm of the Blade," an ARPG featuring a death god IP, designed for cooperative play [11] Market Dynamics - The casual gaming sector is thriving in Western markets, with titles like "Candy Crush Saga" maintaining a long presence in the top sales charts. The increasing fragmented time in China due to longer working hours also benefits casual games [7] - The market may polarize into heavy games like MMORPG and SLG, and lighter casual games [7] Conclusion - The gaming industry is poised for significant developments in 2025, with numerous new titles and innovative technologies shaping the landscape. Companies like Kaiying Network, Jibite, and Giant Network are at the forefront of these changes, leveraging their unique products and market strategies to capture growth opportunities.

Core Insights - The mobile game "逆水寒" continues to thrive nearly two years post-launch, with the recent "国风民俗季" version integrating traditional Chinese cultural elements, enhancing player experience through immersive storytelling and gameplay [1][3][5] Game Development and Features - The new version features traditional cultural elements such as Yue opera and shadow puppetry, providing players with a unique cultural experience [5][9] - The game has upgraded its graphics, receiving positive feedback on social media platforms, which has contributed to its rise to the 8th position on the iOS game sales chart [3][9] - The introduction of new gameplay mechanics, such as the "戏影模式" for immersive viewing and interaction, showcases the game's commitment to enhancing user experience [7][9] Monetization Strategy - The game maintains a low-cost monetization model, primarily through free content and low-priced outfits, which has successfully stimulated player spending [3][9] - The "福利驱动" strategy, offering rewards for participation, has proven effective in driving player engagement and revenue [9][11] Player Demographics and Engagement - The game has attracted a diverse player base, with over 70% of users being new to the MMO genre, indicating its appeal to younger audiences [14][15] - The game's social media presence is significant, with related content on platforms like Douyin reaching over 1.6 billion views, enhancing community engagement [18][20] Technological Innovations - The game serves as a testing ground for new technologies, incorporating AI models to enhance gameplay and user experience, which also benefits other products within the company [20][21] - Continuous improvements in graphics and performance, such as a 70% increase in loading speed and support for 4K resolution, demonstrate the company's commitment to quality [20][21] Strategic Implications - The success of "逆水寒" reflects a shift in the MMO market towards accommodating younger players' preferences for low-pressure, aesthetically driven gameplay [12][15] - The game's ability to blend cultural elements with modern gaming technology positions it as a key player in the evolving landscape of the gaming industry, serving as a model for future developments [21]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the significant financial loss of Zhong Shouyou due to the underperformance of the game "Xianjian World," which is projected to incur a loss of up to 2.2 billion yuan in 2024 [1][3]. Group 1: Financial Performance - Zhong Shouyou issued a profit warning indicating a projected loss of no more than 2.2 billion yuan for the fiscal year 2024 [1]. - The revenue decline is attributed to several factors, including underperformance in certain game markets and increased non-operating expenses [3]. Group 2: Game Development Issues - "Xianjian World" is criticized for its poor development process, which is described as chaotic and lacking a coherent framework [6][7]. - The game attempted to incorporate various popular elements without a solid foundation, leading to inefficiencies and excessive rework [8][11][29]. - The development team is seen as lacking the necessary experience and industrialization capabilities to successfully create an open-world game [38][39]. Group 3: Intellectual Property Concerns - The "Xianjian" IP is facing challenges of aging and devaluation due to a lack of new quality releases [17][18]. - The article compares the "Xianjian" IP unfavorably to successful franchises like "Harry Potter" and "The Legend of Zelda," highlighting its failure to create a compelling and cohesive narrative [19][22]. Group 4: Industry Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of proper planning and execution in game development, particularly for open-world titles, which require a high level of industrialization [24][37]. - It suggests that the management's unrealistic expectations and lack of hands-on involvement in the development process contributed to the game's failure [60].

Core Viewpoint - The departure of key personnel from Tencent's Polar Aurora studio, particularly the producer of "Tianya Mingyue Dao," highlights the challenges faced by MMORPGs in adapting to changing user demographics and market conditions [2][5][6]. Group 1: Personnel Changes - Yang Feng, the producer of "Tianya Mingyue Dao," and Gu Tingting, the market head, have left Tencent, which is significant given their high-level positions [2]. - Their departures are rumored to be linked to the unsuccessful implementation of a seasonal model in "Tianya Mingyue Dao Mobile," which saw a brief rise in rankings but subsequently fell out of the top 500 in sales [2][3]. - Gu Tingting's departure coincided with discussions about the need for MMORPGs to evolve to meet the expectations of different player demographics [6][8]. Group 2: Project Challenges - The new project "Glow," which was developed over three years with significant investment, ultimately failed despite substantial resources being allocated from the "Tianya Mingyue Dao" team [3]. - The internal dissatisfaction stemmed from both the failure to innovate under Yang Feng's leadership and the perceived inadequate financial rewards for the team [4][5]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - The article emphasizes that the MMORPG market is changing, with older players seeking nostalgia and younger players desiring quick, engaging experiences [6]. - The need for MMORPGs to adapt to these shifting player expectations is critical for future success [5][6].