Core Viewpoint - The mobile game "Cooking Party" developed by Friendship Time has officially launched its public beta, generating significant interest in the capital market due to its strong user engagement and market performance [1][11]. Group 1: Game Features and Mechanics - "Cooking Party" features a unique multiplayer cooperation mode, immersive cooking experiences, and a variety of character configurations, quickly gaining attention in the gaming community [3][6]. - The game incorporates a competitive "chaotic" mode where players must quickly switch ingredients and manage cooking times, enhancing the excitement and unpredictability of gameplay [3][4]. - In addition to cooking competitions, the game introduces simulation management gameplay, allowing players to upgrade from chefs to restaurant managers, thus diversifying the gaming experience [4][6]. Group 2: Target Audience and Market Positioning - The game targets a female audience while also appealing to a broader demographic through its engaging characters and gameplay, creating a "breaking the circle" effect [6][12]. - The integration of food culture and regional culinary elements strengthens the game's cultural relevance and enhances player engagement [6][9]. Group 3: Marketing and Collaborations - On its first day of public testing, "Cooking Party" announced collaborations with popular brands and institutions, enhancing its appeal through special in-game events and unique content [7][9]. - The game plans to collaborate with over 30 food and beverage brands, creating a diverse ecosystem of activities and brand interactions [7][9]. Group 4: Performance Metrics and Future Outlook - The game has shown promising metrics, with over one million users on its first day and a high level of engagement reflected in its rankings across various platforms [1][11]. - The party game genre has seen significant growth, with a reported 84.4% increase in user spending in 2023, indicating a strong market potential for "Cooking Party" [12][11]. - The game has received a score of 8.0 on TapTap, with over 800,000 pre-registrations, validating its market potential and sustainability [12][11]. Group 5: Technological Innovations - The game utilizes AI to enhance player experience by optimizing level interactions and providing feedback for game balance, showcasing the company's commitment to technological advancement [14][16]. - Future updates will include new seasons, user-generated content, and continuous iteration based on player feedback, ensuring the game remains fresh and engaging [14][16].

Core Insights - The departure of Xu Dongyuan, head of NetEase's Japanese strategic investment, signals a significant retreat from overseas gaming operations, particularly in Japan and North America [1][3] - NetEase's ambitious goal of having overseas business account for 40%-50% of its revenue is becoming increasingly unattainable as the company faces operational challenges and market competition [1][3] - The strategic shift from expansion to contraction reflects a need for NetEase to reassess its overseas investment strategies and focus on core competencies [4][12] Summary by Sections Strategic Adjustments - In 2024, NetEase began restructuring its overseas operations, including the closure of multiple products in Japan and layoffs at its Sakura Studio, which was pivotal for its Japanese market expansion [2][3] - Concurrently, layoffs occurred in North America, affecting studios like Skybox Labs and Worlds Untold, which struggled to compete in the market [2][3] Market Dynamics - The global mobile gaming market is projected to reach 635.57 billion yuan in 2024, growing by 4.8% year-on-year, indicating increased competition and challenges for Chinese companies like NetEase [6][7] - Cultural differences and localization challenges have hindered the success of NetEase's products in Japan, with recent titles failing to maintain initial momentum [7][10] Competitive Landscape - The Japanese gaming market, historically a stronghold for NetEase, is becoming increasingly competitive, with local companies like Nintendo and Sony dominating the space [13][15] - The rise of domestic competitors, such as miHoYo with its game "Genshin Impact," has further eroded NetEase's market share in Japan [13][15] Future Outlook - Despite the strategic contraction, NetEase is not abandoning overseas markets but is likely to pursue a more pragmatic approach, focusing on quality over quantity [4][12] - The company aims to consolidate resources in core areas while maintaining essential products in key markets, indicating a shift towards refined operational strategies [12][15]

Group 1 - The A-share gaming sector is experiencing strong performance, with the gaming ETF (159869) rising nearly 2% as of May 29, 2023, and several stocks such as Zhejiang Shuju Culture and Shunwang Technology seeing significant gains [1] - The Chinese gaming industry is projected to achieve a record revenue of 455.06 billion yuan in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.8% over the past two decades, indicating robust growth potential [1] - The user base for the gaming industry is expected to exceed 750 million by 2024, with a CAGR of 18.6% over the last twenty years, providing a solid foundation for ongoing industry development [1] Group 2 - In May 2025, a total of 130 domestic game licenses and 14 import licenses were issued, reflecting an increase in quantity and frequency, with 610 domestic and 44 import licenses issued year-to-date, significantly higher than the same period in 2024 [1] - The types of licenses cover multiple platforms, including mobile, client, and console games, indicating a trend towards normalization in the approval process [1] - The industry's fundamentals are gradually improving due to optimized license supply, strong overseas performance, and a surge in new game launches, with AI technology application and long-term operational capabilities becoming key competitive factors for companies [1]

Group 1 - Tencent's game "Delta Action" has banned over 116,000 cheating accounts in one week, showcasing its commitment to anti-cheat technology upgrades [1] - The bans include ten-year suspensions and leaderboard data resets for the involved accounts, indicating a strict approach to combating cheating [1] - Effective management of cheats is expected to extend the retention period of active users, indirectly supporting revenue stability [1] Group 2 - Nexon announced the global shutdown of "MapleStory 2," marking the end of a game that operated for nearly a decade [2] - The company's core revenue still relies on classic titles like "MapleStory" and "Dungeon & Fighter," raising concerns about Nexon's ability to modernize its classic IPs following the failure of "MapleStory 2" [2] - This event may heighten market caution regarding Nexon's innovation capabilities, as recent attempts to modernize older games have yielded mixed results [2] Group 3 - From Software released a promotional video for the Chinese version of "Elden Ring: Night's Call," confirming its launch on major platforms on May 30 [3] - The release is considered a key event in the gaming industry for 2025, with implications for sales and the expansion of the commercial boundaries of high-difficulty action games [3] - The multiplayer aspect is expected to attract new users and foster a vibrant community, potentially boosting the stock prices of Bandai and Kadokawa, and may lead to more derivative content like esports and animations [3]

本报记者 郭冀川 当NPC开口讲起了冷笑话，当玩家轻敲键盘就能创造出一个奇幻世界，当游戏角色学会在凌晨三点向你发送"早安"……AI （人工智能）正在彻底改变游戏行业。 《2025年游戏行业现状报告》显示，52%的开发者所在公司使用生成式AI工具，这一数据也揭示该技术从概念探索阶段迈 入规模化应用阶段。近期，腾讯推出了基于混元大模型的工业级AIGC（人工智能生成内容）游戏内容生产引擎，显著优化了 游戏资产生成和游戏制作流程。 当人工智能与游戏产业深度融合，已初步展现出令人振奋的"化学反应"。AI为游戏开发者提供了更为丰富、多元的创意和 灵感，助力他们创造出更加精彩绝伦、引人入胜的游戏。同时，AI也为玩家提供了更加个性化、定制化的游戏体验，让他们在 游戏中找到属于自己的乐趣与满足。 国内游戏厂商 广泛布局AI赛道 进入2025年，国内各大游戏厂商在AI赛道上疾驰奋进，网易、巨人网络等众多游戏厂商纷纷在旗下游戏中嵌入AI模型，以 此丰富游戏剧情内容、增强玩家互动体验。 "AI+游戏"也在资本市场的助力下加速合作与战略达成。例如，港股上市公司中旭未来与A股上市公司恺英网络近期签署合 作备忘录，合作内容包括积极通过AI ...

Group 1 - Apple has confirmed the acquisition of Canadian independent game studio RAC7, marking its first foray into game content creation [1][3] - RAC7 is known for its creative puzzle games, including award-winning titles like "Splitter Critters" and "Dark Echo," aligning with Apple's strategy of content differentiation [3] - The acquisition aims to address the content supply bottleneck of Apple Arcade, which, despite having over 400 games, lacks exclusive major titles that affect user retention [3] Group 2 - RAC7 will become Apple's first fully-owned game development team, allowing Apple to develop high-quality exclusive content and enhance the appeal of its platform [3] - Industry observers believe Apple's entry could reshape the mobile gaming market, leveraging its hardware integration and closed ecosystem to create new gaming experiences [4] - Analysts from Newzoo suggest that if Apple can consistently deliver quality exclusive content, it will significantly enhance its bargaining power in the gaming industry [4]

杨军介绍，三七互娱通过原创IP与网文IP双轨并行，推动文化输出。此外，三七互娱还在多款游戏中融 入中国功夫、岭南骑楼等元素，吸引不少海外玩家来到中国实地打卡。 面对人工智能浪潮，三七互娱加速技术迭代。杨军表示，AI已贯穿游戏研发、运营全流程。此外，三 七互娱还自研大模型"小七"开发400余个智能体，覆盖美术、客服、市场分析等环节，推动游戏工业化 生产迈向高效化。 （文章来源：深圳商报） 作为中国最早开拓海外市场的游戏企业之一，三七互娱目前已在全球200多个国家与地区开展业务，发 行超过120款游戏。2024年，三七互娱实现境外收入57.22亿元，占营业收入比重32.81%。 在发言中，杨军用"研运一体、IP生态、科技赋能"三个关键词，揭示了三七互娱文化出口经验：即在发 行、运营与研发领域深度绑定、深度协同，实现产品与全球各地市场的双向奔赴；借助中华传统文化IP 与国际顶级IP跨界联动，切实提升旗下游戏品牌全球影响力，让全球玩家沉浸感受中华文明的魅力；在 科技赋能领域，通过AI动作捕捉加码核心研发能力，并利用AI重塑游戏管线提升游戏开发效率。 【深圳商报讯】（记者范宏韬）在数智赋能文化贸易论坛上，三七互娱党委书 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the success of the mobile game "Endless Winter," developed by Point Interactive, which has outperformed major competitors in the mobile gaming industry, achieving significant revenue milestones and user engagement metrics [4][6][34]. Group 1: Game Performance and Revenue - "Endless Winter" has generated a total revenue of $2.25 billion (over 160 billion RMB) globally since its launch, making it one of the fastest mobile games to surpass $2 billion in revenue within five years [5][34]. - The game ranked first in the overseas revenue chart for Chinese mobile games, surpassing established titles from companies like MiHoYo, Tencent, and NetEase [4][34]. - In April 2025, the iOS version of "Endless Winter" achieved a monthly revenue of 380 million RMB, maintaining its position as the top-grossing mobile game in the overseas market [34]. Group 2: Marketing and User Acquisition Strategies - The game employs aggressive advertising strategies, frequently appearing in casual games and short video platforms to capture potential users during their fragmented time [10][11]. - Point Interactive has invested heavily in user acquisition, with marketing expenses reaching 7.46 billion RMB in 2024, a significant increase from 3.37 billion RMB in 2023 [21][36]. - The game utilizes a dual approach of offering players the option to either spend money or watch ads, effectively drawing in users from casual gaming backgrounds [8][10]. Group 3: Game Mechanics and User Engagement - "Endless Winter" initially presents itself as a casual simulation game but transitions into a strategy game (SLG) as players progress, which has led to high user retention rates [27][28]. - The game has a monthly retention rate of 8%, exceeding the typical 3.2% for SLG games, attributed to the time investment required for town building and social features [28][34]. - Players often feel compelled to spend money to remain competitive, leading to perceptions of the game being "pay-to-win" [38]. Group 4: Financial Impact on Parent Company - The parent company, Century Huatong, reported a record revenue of 22.62 billion RMB in 2024, a 70.27% increase year-over-year, largely driven by the success of "Endless Winter" [35][36]. - Point Interactive's revenue for 2024 was approximately 15 billion RMB, contributing 70% to the overall revenue of Century Huatong [36][37]. - The success of "Endless Winter" has positioned Point Interactive among the top 50 global mobile app publishers, ranking 19th in 2024 [34].

Group 1 - Tencent's new game "Under the Other" has started a beta test, indicating its entry into the competitive market of 2D games [1] - The Chinese 2D game market is expected to see a significant turning point by May 2025, with several new titles receiving approval from the National Press and Publication Administration [1] - The 2D game sector, which was once thriving, is now experiencing a downturn with a reduction in new game releases and ongoing service terminations [1][2] Group 2 - Major companies are adjusting their strategies in the 2D game market, with Tencent notably reducing its investments in this area [2] - The success of miHoYo's "Genshin Impact" has led to increased competition and investment in the 2D game sector, but Tencent's focus has shifted towards maintaining its core competitive games [2][3] - The demand for deeper gameplay and content updates is rising among players, which has posed challenges for existing games like "White Night: Aurora" [2][3] Group 3 - The market for "pan-2D" users in China is projected to grow from 354 million in 2019 to 570 million by 2029, indicating a strong potential for 2D game IPs [4] - The revenue from the pan-2D market is expected to increase significantly, from 298.3 billion yuan in 2019 to 834.4 billion yuan by 2029 [4] - The unique cultural appeal and user engagement of 2D games continue to attract major companies despite the current market challenges [4] Group 4 - Tencent's recent release "Victory Goddess: New Hope" has performed well, reaching the top of the iOS free charts and maintaining a position in the top 20 of the best-selling charts [5] - Tencent is focusing on a niche of "2D beautiful girls" combined with shooting games, which reflects its strengths in traffic generation and social retention [5] - The competitive landscape is shifting, with companies needing to balance visual appeal and innovative content to attract younger audiences [6] Group 5 - NetEase is restructuring its approach to 2D games, focusing on long-term operations of established IPs like "Onmyoji" while reducing investment in new projects [6] - The 2D game market is undergoing a new round of reshuffling, with established IP holders focusing on sustaining existing products while newcomers aim to disrupt the market with innovative gameplay [6] - The future success in the 2D game market will depend on companies' abilities to balance visual appeal with engaging content that resonates with Generation Z [6]

Core Insights - The National Press and Publication Administration announced the approval of 619 domestic online games from January to May 2025, with 130 games approved in May alone, setting a new monthly record for domestic game approvals [1] - Perfect World’s game "Yihuan" is highlighted, having reached 2.8 million global platform reservations in its first week, with a planned launch by the end of 2025 or early 2026 [1] - Perfect World reported significant losses in its 2024 financial results, with a revenue of 5.57 billion yuan, a year-on-year decline of 28.5%, and a net profit loss of 1.288 billion yuan, marking a 361.98% decrease [1][2] Company Performance - The losses for Perfect World stem from underperforming domestic games and film projects, leading to the cancellation of several initiatives and workforce optimization [2] - Investment losses also contributed to the profit decline, as the company invested in multiple small to medium-sized enterprises in the gaming and film sectors, which faced poor performance due to industry changes [2] - Perfect World has struggled to capitalize on mobile and mini-game trends, missing key market opportunities compared to competitors like Tencent and NetEase [3] Management Changes - The company has undergone significant leadership changes, with the resignation of CEO Xiaohong and co-CEO Lu Xiaoyin, alongside a major workforce reduction of 32% [3] - The transition in leadership began over a decade ago when the founder shifted focus to film, leading to a lack of game development experience in the new management [2][3]