Game Releases - The mobile RPG "Black Clover: Path of the Magic Emperor" was officially launched on November 6, featuring a 3D world based on the anime and allowing players to experience Asta's journey alongside popular characters [1] - MiHoYo's first life simulation game "Starry Valley" began its "habitable test" on November 7, allowing players to engage in activities like planting and fishing across different planets [3] Industry Developments - The DLC for "Elden Ring: Night's Fall" is currently in development and is expected to be released in the fiscal year 2025, with performance exceeding initial expectations [6] - The 2025 KPL Grand Finals set a new record for the highest attendance at an esports event, with 62,196 attendees, as Chengdu AG Super Play Team claimed the championship [8] Company News - Rockstar Games announced a delay for "GTA VI," pushing the release date from May 26, 2026, to November 19, 2026, which caused a nearly 10% drop in its parent company Take-Two's stock price [11] - Chen Rui stepped down as General Manager and CFO of Shanghai Bilibili Technology, with the company stating that this change is a normal adjustment and does not affect his role as Chairman and CEO [13] Market Performance - In Q3 2025, China's gaming market generated actual sales revenue of 880.26 billion yuan, reflecting a quarter-on-quarter growth of 6.96%, with leading companies like Kaixin Network and Giant Network reporting net profits exceeding 500 million yuan and growth rates above 35% [15]

Core Insights - The gaming sector experienced a decline in early trading on November 7, with the gaming ETF (159869) dropping around 0.5% and most constituent stocks showing weakness [1] - As of November 6, the gaming ETF (159869) had a product scale of 11.306 billion yuan, providing investors with a convenient way to invest in leading A-share gaming companies [1] - The unveiling of the new game "Black Myth: Wukong" at the 2025 Wuzhen Summit highlights the strong development momentum of domestic games as one of the "new three samples" of culture [1] Industry Overview - The gaming industry, along with online literature and web dramas, forms a new vehicle for Chinese culture to go global, driven by a dual force of "culture as the soul" and "technology as the wings" [1] - The unique cultural appeal of works like "Black Myth" is rooted in Eastern aesthetics and traditional narratives, while the application of cutting-edge technologies such as AI and NVIDIA DLSS significantly enhances game quality and player experience globally [1] - With accelerated international expansion, deepening technological innovation, and continuous improvement in content quality, the gaming industry is expected to maintain a strong growth trajectory [1] Growth Drivers - The long-term positive outlook for the gaming sector is supported by AI technological innovation, content ecosystem upgrades, and the evolution of commercialization models [1] - The gaming ETF (159869) closely tracks the CSI Animation and Gaming Index, focusing on core assets in the A-share animation and gaming industry, making it a quality tool for investing in the gaming sector's development [1]

Core Viewpoint - ByteDance is launching a new gaming distribution platform called GameTop, aimed at overseas markets, which signifies a strategic shift in its gaming business focus from traditional development and distribution to a self-owned platform model [2][6][22]. Group 1: GameTop Platform Launch - GameTop is designed to provide personalized gaming content and integrate game distribution, creation tools, and social features for users [2]. - The platform aims to leverage TikTok's global influence to promote its offerings and reduce reliance on third-party platforms like Google Play and App Store [22][23]. - ByteDance's recruitment for GameTop indicates that the platform is still in its early stages, focusing on user engagement and monetization strategies [19]. Group 2: Strategic Adjustments in Gaming Business - ByteDance's gaming strategy has evolved from aggressive expansion to a more focused approach, emphasizing resource integration and innovation for long-term stability [6][8]. - The company has previously invested heavily in the gaming sector, with over 300 billion yuan spent on 22 investments across 19 gaming companies from 2019 to 2022 [7]. - The management's goal is to potentially achieve an independent IPO for its gaming business while ensuring stable operations rather than seeking short-term explosive growth [6][8]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - ByteDance's GameTop will face significant competition from established platforms like Steam, which currently holds a dominant market share of approximately 70%-75% in the global PC gaming distribution market [13][14]. - Unlike Steam, which caters primarily to hardcore gamers, GameTop is targeting casual gamers, which may limit its ability to directly compete with Steam's established user base [19]. - The gaming market is witnessing a shift towards mobile platforms, and GameTop aims to capitalize on this trend, potentially positioning itself as a "mobile version of Steam" [20]. Group 4: Market Opportunities - The global gaming market is projected to see substantial growth, with Chinese game exports expected to reach $18.557 billion in 2024, marking a 13.39% increase year-on-year [22]. - ByteDance's GameTop could benefit from the growing trend of game exports, particularly in regions like Southeast Asia and the Middle East, where competition is less intense compared to Western markets [22]. - The platform's focus on casual gaming and social interaction may create new opportunities for user engagement and retention, leveraging TikTok's existing user base [19][22].

Core Insights - Globant and Riot Games have announced a multi-year strategic partnership aimed at enhancing innovation initiatives and fan communities in esports, particularly for League of Legends and VALORANT [1][2][6] - The partnership will focus on technological advancements, including artificial intelligence to improve esports viewing experiences and mobile integration capabilities [2][6] Company Overview - Riot Games, founded in 2006, is known for its player-focused games, with League of Legends being one of the most-played PC games globally. The company has expanded its portfolio with titles like VALORANT and has created significant esports events [4] - Globant is a digitally native company with over 30,000 employees across 35 countries, specializing in digital transformation and AI solutions for various industries, including media and entertainment [5] Partnership Details - The collaboration is described as the largest agreement in the gaming sector for Globant, emphasizing their commitment to pushing technological boundaries in esports [6] - Both companies share a vision of leveraging technology and creativity to enhance community engagement and entertainment experiences for players and fans [3][6]

Core Insights - The gaming sector is experiencing a positive trend with significant growth in both revenue and profit, driven by policy support and strong product performance [1][2] Industry Summary - The gaming industry reported a revenue of 30.362 billion yuan, marking a year-on-year increase of 28.6% and a quarter-on-quarter growth of 9.48% [1] - Profit surged by 112% year-on-year to 5.777 billion yuan, with profit margins improving to 19% [1] - Over half of the companies in the sector achieved performance growth, indicating a broad-based recovery [1] - The issuance of domestic game licenses in 2025 has already surpassed the total for the previous year, providing strong momentum for continued growth [1] Investment Recommendations - Companies with rich product reserves are recommended, including Kying Network, Giant Network, G-bits, and 37 Interactive Entertainment, along with Perfect World, which has potential for performance reversal [1] - Firms with strong overseas expansion strategies, such as Shenzhou Taiyue, are highlighted for investment [1] - Companies actively engaging in AI developments, including Yaoji Technology and Zhejiang Shuju Culture, are also recommended [1] - Overall, the gaming sector is seen as having significant investment value due to favorable policies, product cycles, AI empowerment, and overseas growth opportunities [1]

Group 1 - The gaming sector is experiencing fluctuations, with the gaming ETF (159869) narrowing its decline to around 0.5%, while individual stocks show mixed performance [1] - As of November 5, the gaming ETF (159869) has a product scale of 11.158 billion yuan, facilitating investors to easily invest in A-share gaming leaders [1] - Bilibili's TeamSoda studio launched the single-player PVE game "Escape from Duckkov" on October 16, achieving over 2 million sales on Steam by November 2, ranking fifth on the platform's most popular games list [1] Group 2 - Guotai Junan Securities projects continued growth in the gaming industry, with Q3 2025 revenue reaching 30.362 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 28.6% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 9.48% [2] - The industry's profit in Q3 2025 reached 5.777 billion yuan, with a profit margin of 19%, reflecting significant improvements both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter [2] - The number of domestic game licenses issued has reached a new high, with 1,354 domestic licenses granted in 2025, surpassing the total of 1,306 for the entire year of 2024 [2]

Core Insights - The Chinese gaming industry is experiencing a new active period with the normalization of game license approvals, leading to a peak in overseas expansion, supported by successful titles like "Black Myth: Wukong" and "Genshin Impact" [1] - The release of the "Game Overseas Service Manual" highlights the need for game companies to adjust their overseas strategies in response to changing global market dynamics [1] Group 1: Market Analysis - The "Service Manual" focuses on both mature markets (like the US, Japan, and South Korea) and emerging markets (like Indonesia and Vietnam), analyzing growth points and profit models [3] - In the North American market, user preferences are diversifying, with a strong appeal for social and family-related elements, while strategy and simulation games have significant potential [3][4] - Emerging markets, despite lower consumption power, are growing faster than mature markets, presenting opportunities for small and medium-sized developers [4] Group 2: Operational Strategies - Companies need to explore and iterate their overseas strategies based on practical experiences, focusing on competitive gameplay and high-quality content to attract users [5][6] - The importance of selecting appropriate payment channels for different markets is emphasized, as payment methods vary significantly across regions [7] - Compliance with local regulations is crucial, with specific requirements like the GRAC certification in South Korea being highlighted as essential for market entry [8]

Industry Overview - The gaming industry continues to show a growth trend, with significant performance from leading companies. In Q3 2025, industry revenue reached 30.362 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year increase of 28.6% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 9.48%. The industry's profit also saw a substantial year-on-year growth of 112%, reaching 5.777 billion yuan, with a profit margin of 19% [1][2]. Key Companies Performance - Leading companies such as ST Huatuo, Sanqi Interactive, Giant Network, Kaiying Network, and G-bits reported quarterly net profits exceeding 500 million yuan, all demonstrating growth rates above 35% [1][2]. - Kaiying Network achieved a net profit of 630 million yuan in Q3 2025, marking a record high for a single quarter and a year-on-year increase of 34.5%. The company's gross profit margin improved to 84.2%, indicating a higher proportion of high-margin business [3]. - Giant Network reported a revenue of 2.15 billion yuan in Q3 2025, a 101.5% increase from Q2 2025, driven by the performance of its key product "Supernatural Action Group" [3]. - G-bits recorded a net profit of 569 million yuan in a single quarter, a remarkable year-on-year increase of 307.7%. The game "Staff Sword Legend" generated a total revenue of 1.166 billion yuan in the first three quarters of 2025 [4]. - ST Huatuo's successful overseas product "Whiteout Survival" has shown stable performance in both domestic and international markets, while its new product "Kingshot" has validated the feasibility of the "casual + SLG" model [4]. Market Dynamics - The issuance of game licenses has stabilized, with a record number of domestic licenses issued in 2025, totaling 1,354, surpassing the entire year of 2024 [2]. - The actual sales revenue of the Chinese gaming market from January to September 2025 increased by 7.11% year-on-year, with a continuous quarter-on-quarter growth, driven by excellent product performance [2].

Core Insights - The gaming industry in Guangzhou is experiencing significant changes, with notable departures from major companies like NetEase, indicating potential instability in the workforce [1][2] - Despite challenges, Guangzhou remains a strong player in the gaming sector, contributing 43.2% of China's total gaming revenue in 2024, amounting to approximately 1406.67 billion yuan [10][12] - The cost of living in Guangzhou is lower compared to cities like Shanghai, making it an attractive option for some professionals, although salaries are also generally lower [3][4][6] Industry Dynamics - Recent departures from NetEase and other companies highlight a trend of talent migration within the gaming industry, with professionals weighing their options carefully [1][2] - Guangzhou's gaming industry is characterized by a mix of strong revenue generation and a reliance on traditional business models, such as user acquisition through buying traffic [10][12][18] - The competitive landscape is intense, with companies under pressure to innovate and respond quickly to market changes, leading to increased workloads and expectations for employees [6][9][18] Employment Landscape - The average salary in Guangzhou is about 30% lower than in Shanghai, which affects the bargaining power of employees [3][4] - Many professionals express a preference for stability and a more manageable work-life balance in Guangzhou, despite the high demands of the gaming industry [6][9][20] - The perception of Guangzhou as a more "realistic" environment for work contrasts with the more competitive atmosphere in cities like Shanghai, influencing talent retention [13][20] Future Outlook - The potential for Guangzhou to become a leading hub in the gaming industry is debated, with some professionals optimistic about its growth while others see Shanghai as the primary center for opportunities [20] - The industry is evolving, with a growing focus on content-driven projects and international revenue, although traditional gaming genres still dominate [12][18] - The ability of Guangzhou companies to adapt to new trends and technologies will be crucial for their long-term success in the competitive gaming market [18][20]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company [4] Core Insights - The company's Q3 2025 performance met expectations, with a slight decline in revenue and net profit, while the overseas market remains stable, and there is optimism for the new game cycle [1][2] - The decline in net profit is primarily due to a significant recovery of a large lawsuit receivable in the same period last year, which reduced bad debt provisions by 245 million [2] - The company is focusing on building a "2+2+N" product matrix, emphasizing the SLG genre, with two new games currently in overseas commercialization testing [3] Financial Overview - Q3 2025 revenue was 1.38 billion (down 5.3% YoY), with a net profit of 215 million (down 53.6% YoY) and a non-GAAP net profit of 208 million (down 3.2% YoY) [2] - The gross margin for Q3 2025 was 56.17% (down 5.02 percentage points YoY), with sales expenses of 178 million and a research and development expense of 84 million [2] - Revenue projections for 2025-2027 are 6.93 billion, 8.94 billion, and 9.93 billion respectively, with net profits of 1.29 billion, 1.96 billion, and 2.15 billion [4][6] Product Development - The company has released two new games, "Stellar Sanctuary" and "Next Agers," which are currently in testing phases and have received domestic licenses for release [3] - The AI product line, avavox, is being promoted as a key new product, integrating various AI technologies to enhance its commercial application [3]