Core Viewpoint - The company is initiating coverage on Century Huatong with a "Buy" rating and a target price of 24.52 yuan, based on a 21X PE for 2026 [1] Group 1: Business Strengths - The core business advantage lies in its subsidiary, Diandian Interactive, which is a leader in the SLG game sector, particularly excelling in overseas markets with popular titles like "Whiteout Survival" and "Kingshot" [1][2] - The company has established a mature methodology for producing hit games, which includes strategies for user acquisition, modular gameplay reuse, and phased payment designs, enhancing the success rate of new projects [2] - The SLG genre is characterized by long life cycles and low post-launch operational costs, making it a highly profitable and sticky category, which is expected to drive sustained revenue growth [2] Group 2: IP Development and Collaboration - In 2023, the company secured a five-year cooperation agreement with a Korean copyright holder for the "Legend" IP, allowing for exclusive rights in mainland China, which is expected to contribute to revenue growth [3] - The collaboration with Tencent provides not only traffic and distribution support but also facilitates the continuous launch of hit products, further solidifying the company's position in the MMO sector [3] Group 3: Market Perspective - The company believes that the successful validation of the SLG genre serves as a core moat for navigating industry cycles, with head products consistently generating stable cash flow [4] - The competitive landscape for user acquisition is becoming more rational, and as SLG products enter the profit realization phase, the company's revenue and overall profitability are expected to improve [4] - Diandian Interactive's ability to innovate within the SLG genre and expand into casual gaming is anticipated to create a "dual-driven" growth pattern [4] Group 4: Financial Projections and Valuation - The company forecasts net profits attributable to shareholders of 57.55 billion, 86.06 billion, and 106.35 billion yuan for the years 2025 to 2027, respectively [5] - Comparable companies in the gaming sector have an average PE of 20.7X for 2026, and given the company's strong positioning in the X+SLG sector, a target valuation of 180.726 billion yuan is set, with a target price of 24.52 yuan [5]

Core Insights - The article highlights the rapid growth and global success of Chinese mobile games, with 33 Chinese companies making it to the top 100 global mobile game publishers, generating $2 billion in revenue, accounting for 38.4% of the total [3] - Chinese mobile games have seen a significant increase in overseas revenue, reaching $18.56 billion in 2024, with a year-on-year growth rate of 13.39% [3][5] - The shift in strategy from domestic-focused development to global-first design has been crucial for the success of Chinese games in international markets [5][6] Industry Growth - The mobile gaming sector has become a dominant force for Chinese games, with approximately 25% of the top 50 global mobile publishers being Chinese [3] - The revenue from Chinese games in overseas markets has grown from less than $1 million to over $100 billion in five years, with a consistent annual growth rate exceeding 10% [4][5] Strategic Shifts - Companies have transitioned from primarily exporting game copyrights to designing games with global releases in mind from the outset [5][6] - Successful titles like "Black Myth: Wukong" and "Genshin Impact" were developed with global audiences in mind, featuring multi-language support from launch [5][6] Market Understanding - Chinese game developers have deepened their understanding of overseas markets, tailoring content to local preferences and cultural contexts [6][7] - Different strategies are employed for various regions, with IP collaborations being more effective in Japan and Korea compared to Western markets [7] Technological Advancements - Chinese game developers have surpassed their international counterparts in mobile game development efficiency and technology application [9][16] - The use of advanced game engines and AI technology has contributed to the leading position of Chinese mobile games [16] Marketing and Promotion - Chinese companies have leveraged social media and targeted marketing strategies to enhance visibility and user acquisition in international markets [17][19] - The integration of local cultural elements into games has been positively received, enhancing the appeal of Chinese games abroad [21] Cultural Impact - The success of Chinese games abroad reflects the broader trend of Chinese cultural products gaining international recognition, with a significant increase in cultural exports [22][23] - The gaming industry's growth is indicative of China's rising global influence and competitiveness in various sectors [23]