Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" [7] Core Insights - The company is a leading game developer specializing in SLG and classic IP, excelling in overseas game markets. Its two flagship games, "Whiteout Survival" and "Kingshot," are expected to continue exceeding expectations in terms of lifecycle and profitability, with significant revenue and profit growth anticipated [1][2] - The market perceives that the revenue from "Whiteout Survival" and "Kingshot" may peak and decline over time, but the report argues that the revenue for "Whiteout Survival" is likely to stabilize with low chances of decline, while "Kingshot" is still in its growth phase, especially with the potential from its domestic version [1][2] - The report highlights the replicability of the company's success in the "SLG+X" category, suggesting that the development and marketing experience from "Whiteout Survival" and "Kingshot" can be reused for future titles [2] Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, the company achieved revenue of 172.07 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 85.5%, and a net profit of 26.56 billion yuan, up 129.33% year-on-year. The revenue growth was primarily driven by the strong performance of "Whiteout Survival" and "Kingshot" [13] - The company expects to maintain high revenue and profit contributions from "Whiteout Survival" and "Kingshot," with projected revenues of 424 billion yuan, 531 billion yuan, and 592 billion yuan for 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively, and net profits of 61 billion yuan, 102 billion yuan, and 116 billion yuan for the same years [5][12] Market Potential - The global SLG game market is projected to exceed 20 billion USD by 2027, indicating a strong growth trajectory following a two-year adjustment period [15] - The "SLG+X" model, which integrates additional gameplay elements into SLG games, is expected to enhance user acquisition and retention, thereby increasing long-term monetization potential [19] Future Outlook - The company is set to submit a "de-listing" application after rectifying prior accounting errors, which is expected to enhance its market position [3] - The domestic version of "Kingshot" is showing promising growth, with its ranking in the app store improving significantly, indicating strong revenue potential [22][24]

Summary of the Conference Call Company and Industry Overview - The conference call discusses Century Huatong and its subsidiary, Diandian Interactive, focusing on the SLG (Simulation and Strategy Game) market, which holds over 14% of the global market share and is expected to grow at approximately 20% year-on-year from 2024 to the first half of 2025 [2][4]. Key Points and Arguments - Diandian Interactive is a leader in the SLG gaming industry, with its flagship game "Frosty Apocalypse" generating annual revenue between 20 billion to 25 billion RMB, while another title, "Bouncing Kingdom," is projected to reach 10 million USD in overseas monthly revenue by August [2][4]. - The combined annual revenue from these two products is expected to exceed 35 billion RMB [2][4]. - The SLG gaming sector has evolved from gameplay iteration to user diversification, with user acquisition becoming a primary growth driver since 2020, despite traditional SLG games facing challenges in user acquisition and retention [2][6]. - Diandian Interactive has innovated with the "SLG+X" formula, merging simulation management with SLG elements, utilizing cartoon art styles and apocalyptic themes to reduce user acquisition costs and enhance retention [2][10]. Development Trends and Innovations - The SLG market has seen significant innovations since 2014, with key titles introducing new gameplay mechanics. However, since 2020, the industry has relied more on user acquisition innovations rather than gameplay innovation [8][9]. - Traditional SLG games have struggled with user retention due to core gameplay being less engaging initially, leading to lower early retention rates [8][9]. - The introduction of casual elements and secondary gameplay has helped some companies improve user acquisition costs, but retention remains a challenge [9]. Future Outlook - Diandian Interactive is currently in a growth phase, with expectations of sustained revenue growth and profit increases over the next 1 to 3 years [7][11]. - The company is benefiting from a favorable cycle in both product and category, with its successful titles in long-term operation, indicating potential for continued revenue growth [3][11]. - The innovative approach of combining SLG with simulation management is expected to yield further success, as evidenced by the performance of "Endless Winter" and other titles [10][11]. Additional Important Insights - The SLG market primarily attracts middle-aged males interested in historical military themes, but the introduction of more diverse gameplay and themes is broadening the user base [5][6]. - The high payment characteristics of SLG games, with monthly spending typically ranging from 600 to 800 RMB, indicate a high user value, albeit with high acquisition costs [6]. This summary encapsulates the key insights from the conference call regarding Century Huatong and the SLG gaming industry, highlighting growth opportunities, challenges, and innovative strategies.

Investment Rating - The report assigns a "Buy" rating for the company [5][72]. Core Views - The company's gaming business, led by its wholly-owned subsidiary Kemu Games, has a strong track record in overseas game publishing, with past titles like "Age of Origins" and "War and Order" generating revenues exceeding 30 billion and 10 billion respectively. Future titles such as "Stellar Sanctuary" and "Next Agers" are expected to exceed revenue expectations [1][4]. - The company is positioned in the low-performing segment of the gaming sector for 2025, with its current stock price reflecting only the expected performance of existing games and not accounting for new product lines [3][4]. - The company is projected to achieve revenues of 69.3 billion, 89.4 billion, and 99.3 billion for 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively, with net profits of 12.9 billion, 19.6 billion, and 21.5 billion [5][72]. Summary by Sections Company Overview - The company, established in 1998 and listed in 2009, aims to be a leader in the digital economy with a focus on game development and AI technology [18][19]. - Its gaming business is a top-tier player in the domestic mobile game market, with over 250 million registered users across more than 150 countries [19]. Industry Analysis - SLG games are characterized by high entry barriers and sustained revenue generation, with a typical lifecycle of 6 to 8 years [26]. - The "SLG+X" model, which integrates various gameplay elements, has gained popularity and is expected to enhance user acquisition and retention [35]. Financial Performance - The company has shown significant revenue growth, with a peak revenue of 19.4 billion in Q4 2024 and a record net profit of 4.63 billion in Q3 2024 [23][25]. - The overall expense ratio has improved, with a notable decrease in sales expense ratio from 54.5% in Q1 2021 to 43.5% in Q1 2025 [25]. New Product Development - The upcoming titles "Stellar Sanctuary" and "Next Agers" are set to initiate a new product cycle, with "Stellar Sanctuary" expected to contribute significantly to revenue [53][66]. - The company has multiple SLG games in development, with plans for commercial testing in the near future [60]. Valuation and Market Potential - The estimated target market capitalization for 2026 is around 400 billion, based on a P/E ratio of 20 times projected earnings [4][72]. - The global SLG game market is anticipated to exceed 20 billion USD by 2027, indicating strong growth potential for the company [30].

Core Insights - The SLG (Simulation Game) genre has experienced a significant surge, with a year-on-year growth of 180%, making it one of the fastest-growing categories in the mini-game platform market [1] - Major titles like "Rate of the Land" and "Three Kingdoms: Strategy" have launched mini-game versions to tap into this emerging market, achieving high rankings in the WeChat mini-game sales charts [3][5] - The trend of integrating SLG into mini-game platforms reflects a shift towards lighter gameplay, aiming to attract a broader user base and enhance user engagement through social features [5][18] Industry Trends - The SLG products on mini-game platforms can be categorized into two types: those that blend SLG with casual gameplay (e.g., "Pocket Warrior") and traditional SLG titles that maintain their core gameplay [3][5] - The mini-game versions of established SLG titles have undergone significant adaptations, such as simplified mechanics and vertical screen formats, to cater to the platform's user experience [10][12] - The development environment for mini-games has matured, allowing for the successful adaptation of SLG games, which previously faced challenges in transitioning to lighter formats [16][18] User Demographics - The user demographics for SLG mini-games have diversified, with a notable increase in female users and younger audiences, indicating a shift from the traditional male-dominated user base [18][19] - The introduction of features like "youth servers" in titles like "Rate of the Land" has successfully attracted a younger demographic, enhancing the game's appeal [19][21] Competitive Landscape - The competition within the SLG genre is evolving, with a focus on integrating casual elements and exploring new themes to attract a wider audience [22][23] - The mini-game platform presents a unique opportunity for SLG titles to reach new users, leveraging the platform's social features and lower entry barriers [23][27] - As more SLG products enter the mini-game space, the potential for innovation in gameplay and monetization strategies is expected to increase, reshaping the competitive dynamics of the genre [21][22]

Group 1 - The core concept of the news revolves around the success of tap4fun's game "Apex Girl," which combines SLG (Simulation and Strategy Game) elements with idol cultivation and business simulation, creating a unique gaming experience [3][22][42] - "Apex Girl" has achieved significant market success, with nearly 8 million downloads and over $26 million in in-app purchases as of April 2025, making it one of tap4fun's most successful overseas products [1][27] - The game features a low entry barrier for players, allowing them to engage in artist recruitment, song recording, and world tours, which effectively attracts and retains a broad user base [6][26] Group 2 - The SLG genre is experiencing a trend towards "SLG+X" integration, where traditional SLG mechanics are combined with other gameplay elements to enhance user engagement and broaden the audience [2][43] - Tap4fun has a history of successful SLG titles, including "Kiss of War" and "Age of Apes," which have helped the company regain its position in the market after facing challenges in 2017 [27][31] - The company has recognized the importance of localized strategies and cultural adaptation in its game development process, which has contributed to its success in international markets [29][42] Group 3 - The game "Apex Girl" utilizes AIGC (Artificial Intelligence Generated Content) technology for character design and marketing, enhancing its appeal to the target audience [24][26] - Tap4fun's approach to game development emphasizes the integration of light content to lower user acquisition costs while gradually converting casual players into core SLG users [42][44] - The company is exploring new opportunities in the SLG market by focusing on niche themes and innovative gameplay, indicating a shift from broad, generic titles to more specialized offerings [43][44]