Core Viewpoint - The recent withdrawal of NetEase games from OPPO's app store highlights a growing tension between game developers and traditional Android distribution channels, primarily due to high revenue sharing models that limit profit margins for developers [1][4][15]. Group 1: Game Withdrawal from OPPO - NetEase games, including popular titles like "Onmyoji: Yokai House" and "Fantasy Westward Journey," will cease operations on OPPO channels starting from November 2024, with a complete withdrawal expected by October 2025 [1]. - This trend of withdrawing from OPPO channels began last year and reflects a broader industry shift away from traditional Android distribution methods [1][4]. Group 2: Revenue Sharing Issues - The high revenue sharing model, often referred to as "Android tax," has become a critical issue for game developers, with reports indicating that Android channels take up to 50% of revenue, significantly higher than the 30% typically charged by platforms like Apple's App Store [6][15]. - The "hardcore alliance" established by major Android manufacturers in 2014 set a standard revenue share of 50% for game developers, which has persisted in the industry [8]. Group 3: Alternative Distribution Models - Developers are increasingly exploring alternative distribution methods, such as using platforms like TapTap, which do not charge revenue shares, allowing for greater profitability [10][12]. - Successful titles like "Genshin Impact" and "Awakening of Nations" have demonstrated that it is possible to achieve significant revenue without relying on traditional Android channels [12][14]. Group 4: Industry Evolution - The gaming industry is transitioning from a "traffic-driven" model to a "content-driven" model, where the quality of the game itself becomes the primary factor in attracting users [14]. - Despite the shift, the costs associated with customer acquisition through alternative channels have increased, as seen in NetEase's substantial advertising expenditures [14][15].

Core Insights - Apple's CEO Tim Cook has been visiting Chinese gaming companies, including Lilith Games, Mihayou, and Paper Games, which are collectively referred to as the "Four Little Dragons" of Shanghai gaming [1][4] - The importance of service revenue, including gaming, is increasing for Apple, with service revenue reaching a new high of $27.4 billion, accounting for nearly 30% of total revenue in the latest quarterly report [1][4] Group 1: Tim Cook's Visits - Tim Cook's recent visit to Lilith Games included a mention of their product "Sword and Expedition: Journey," which is set to release in 2024 and has been recognized as the iPhone game of the year by App Store Awards 2024 [2] - Cook's visits to Chinese gaming companies have become a routine, with previous visits to Kuro Game, Paper Games, NetEase, and Mihayou, highlighting Apple's focus on the gaming sector [4] Group 2: Lilith Games Overview - Lilith Games, established in 2013, is known for its mobile games such as "Tiny Legends," "Sword and Home," "Awakening of Nations," and "Sword and Expedition," focusing on SLG and idle RPG genres [3] - The game "Awakening of Nations" set a record for monthly revenue for Chinese strategy mobile games when it was released in 2018, and as of September this year, it ranks 18th in the revenue chart for Chinese mobile games abroad [3] Group 3: Service Revenue Growth - Apple's financial performance for Q3 FY2025 showed total revenue of $94 billion, a 10% year-over-year increase, with service revenue growing by 13% [4] - The growing significance of service revenue, particularly from gaming, reflects a strategic shift for Apple as it diversifies its income sources beyond hardware [1][4]

Core Insights - Chengdu is developing a trillion-level digital cultural and creative industry, with a projected total scale of 381.9 billion yuan by 2024 [1] - The Chengdu High-tech Zone has over 12,000 employees in the digital cultural and creative sector, with an industry scale exceeding 110 billion yuan [1] Group 1: Industry Development - The Tianfu Changdao Digital Cultural and Creative Park hosts 64 enterprises focusing on animation, gaming, digital music, and ultra-high-definition video, creating a closely-knit collaboration network [1] - The park's enterprises have a "grapevine effect," where the establishment of one company leads to the emergence of many others, exemplified by Tencent's new cultural headquarters attracting over 50 related entities [2] Group 2: Economic Policies and Support - Chengdu High-tech Zone has implemented "26 digital economy policies" to support game development, esports events, and ultra-high-definition products, offering financial rewards for game developers and operators [4] - Companies that obtain game licenses can receive rewards of 500,000 yuan for overseas expansion [4] Group 3: International Expansion and Achievements - The gaming industry in the park is expected to generate over 400 million USD in overseas revenue by 2024, with the game "Wanguo Awakening" having over 100 million global players [4] - AG Esports has established 14 overseas branches and recently won the championship at the Saudi Esports World Cup, attracting 350 million global fans [4] Group 4: Cultural Representation - The game "Jiangmu" showcases traditional Chinese "mortise and tenon" culture internationally and has been featured in exhibitions in Europe [5]

Group 1 - In May 2025, 33 Chinese companies made it to the global mobile game publisher revenue TOP 100, collectively earning $2.02 billion, which accounts for 36.6% of the total revenue of the TOP 100 publishers [1] - Point Interactive's flagship product "Whiteout Survival" showed strong growth despite a high revenue base, contributing to a 13% month-over-month revenue increase for the company, securing the second position in the global revenue ranking for Chinese mobile game publishers [2] - Lemon Micro's multiple synthesis games, including "Gossip Harbor," achieved a 10% month-over-month revenue growth, setting a new historical high and reinforcing its leading position in the synthesis game segment [2] Group 2 - Florere Game's two survival strategy games, "Dark War Survival" and "Last Z: Survival Shooter," saw revenue growth of 4% and 33% respectively, leading to a 12% increase in overall revenue and advancing to the 8th position in the revenue ranking [4] - Lilith Games' "AFK Journey," in collaboration with the popular IP "Fairy Tail," experienced a 55% revenue surge, contributing to a 12% month-over-month revenue increase and moving up to the 10th position in the ranking [4] - Joy Net Games' RPG "갓깨비 키우기" (Korean version of "Idle Journey: Illustrated World") saw a remarkable 208% revenue increase, propelling the company to the 20th position in the global revenue ranking [6] Group 3 - Tencent's "Peacekeeper Elite" experienced a 21% revenue increase due to the SS33 season update and collaboration with DC, maintaining its second position in the Chinese App Store mobile game revenue ranking [8] - The mobile game "Arknights" saw a 250% revenue surge following the launch of a new side event, successfully returning to the revenue ranking at the 13th position [8]