Core Viewpoint - Zulong Entertainment reported significant revenue growth in the first half of 2025, but still faced losses, indicating a potential for future profitability with ongoing challenges in R&D costs and overseas market expansion [1][8]. Revenue Growth and Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, Zulong Entertainment achieved revenue of 634 million RMB, a 44.4% increase from 439 million RMB in the same period of 2024 [2][5]. - The company reported a loss of 11.7 million RMB, a substantial reduction of 91.3% compared to a loss of 134 million RMB in the previous year [1][8]. - Adjusted net loss was 7.7 million RMB, down 93.6% year-on-year [1][2]. Key Products Driving Growth - The mobile game "In the Name of the Shining" has become a star product for Zulong, achieving over 2 billion RMB in global revenue and surpassing previous years' average daily active users (DAU) in the first half of 2025 [3][4]. - New games "Dragon Tribe: Cassel's Gate" and "Treading the Wind" contributed significantly to revenue, with the former topping the iOS free charts upon release [4][6]. Market Performance and Challenges - Domestic revenue reached approximately 512 million RMB, a 68.3% increase, accounting for 80.7% of total revenue [5][6]. - Overseas revenue was 123 million RMB, a decrease of 9.5%, with its share dropping from 30.8% to 19.3% [6][8]. - The company plans to expand its successful titles into Southeast Asia and South Korea to seek overseas growth [6]. Future Outlook - The gaming industry is experiencing increased competition, with a shift from scale expansion to quality competition [8]. - Zulong's strategy of focusing on high-quality, diverse products and global expansion may lead to profitability in the second half of 2025 [8].

Core Insights - Zulong Entertainment (09990.HK) reported a significant revenue increase of 44.4% year-on-year, reaching 634 million RMB in the first half of 2025, marking the third consecutive mid-term report with growth [1][2] - Despite the revenue growth, the company incurred a loss of 11.7 million RMB, although this represents a substantial reduction of 91.3% compared to a loss of 134 million RMB in the same period last year [1][7] - Adjusted net loss was 7.7 million RMB, down 93.6% year-on-year [1][2] Revenue Growth - The revenue growth was primarily driven by the successful launch of new games "Dragon Tribe: Cassel's Gate" and "Treading the Wind," along with the stable performance of the flagship product "In the Name of Shine" [2][4] - The gross margin remained high at 71.4%, indicating efficiency in game development and operations [2] Game Performance - "In the Name of Shine" has become a star product for the company, achieving over 2 billion RMB in cumulative global revenue and surpassing previous years' average daily active users (DAU) in the first half of 2025 [3] - "Dragon Tribe: Cassel's Gate" launched in September 2024, quickly topped the iOS free charts and became a new growth point for the company [4] - "Treading the Wind," a Chinese-style RPG, also performed well upon its launch in the first half of 2025, topping the iOS free charts on its release day [4] Market Dynamics - Domestic revenue accounted for approximately 5.12 billion RMB, a 68.3% increase year-on-year, making up 80.7% of total revenue [5] - Conversely, overseas revenue decreased by 9.5% to 1.23 billion RMB, dropping its share from 30.8% to 19.3% [6] Challenges and Future Outlook - The company faces challenges including high R&D expenditures and declining overseas market revenue [8] - The gaming industry has seen user growth reaching 679 million, but competition is intensifying [8] - The company plans to expand "Dragon Tribe: Cassel's Gate" and "In the Name of Shine" into Southeast Asia and South Korea in the second half of 2025 to seek overseas growth [6][8] - The strategic focus on quality over quantity in the gaming industry may help the company transition from losses to profitability [8]

Game Releases - NetEase's "Marvel Secret War" began its Android paid test on September 15, focusing on team-building strategy and character development in a card RPG format, featuring Marvel superheroes like Doctor Strange and Iron Man [1] - ByteDance's "Shadow Hunter" launched its first domestic test on September 16, achieving over 180,000 concurrent players within 90 minutes and climbing to 7th place on Steam's global sales chart [3] - miHoYo's "Honkai: Origin Spirits" started its first closed test on September 17, combining sprite collection with auto-chess combat mechanics [6] - "Dungeon Castle 4: Knights and the Broken Chronicle" was officially released on September 17, continuing the dark dungeon adventure RPG series with 3D graphics and strategic gameplay [8] - Tencent's "The Finals" (translated as "Ultimate Contest") began its second limited test on September 19, developed by members of Embark Studios, featuring a PVP shooting game set in famous global cities [10] Industry News - Tencent's "Delta Force" celebrated its first anniversary on September 21, reporting a daily active user (DAU) count of 30 million, up from 12 million in April and 20 million in July [11] - McDonald's announced a collaboration with "Black Myth: Wukong" on September 19, launching limited-time meal sets and promotional items for the Mid-Autumn Festival [14] - "Love and Producer" revealed a new voice actor for the character Li Zeyan on September 20, following the departure of the previous actor [16] - Zulong Technology was ordered to pay 150,000 yuan for trademark infringement and unfair competition against Suzhou Die Paper Network Technology, due to improper use of registered trademarks in advertising [20] - miHoYo established two new companies in Shanghai, focusing on software development and AI applications, with a registered capital of 10 million yuan each [21]

Core Insights - Zulong Entertainment (09990) shares rose nearly 12%, currently up 11.79% at HKD 2.18, with a trading volume of HKD 4.7765 million [1] Group 1: Game Launch and Performance - On September 10, Zulong Entertainment's female-oriented 3A simulation game "Shining Name" was officially launched in South Korea, achieving the top position on both the iOS and Google Play free game charts [1] - Despite being launched in mainland China over two years ago, "Shining Name" has seen its average daily active users in the first half of 2025 surpass the total for 2023 and 2024, with record highs in July and August [1] - The game has generated over RMB 2 billion in cumulative global revenue to date [1] Group 2: Upcoming Game Releases - The strategy card game "Dragon Tribe: Castle Gate," based on the "Dragon Tribe" IP, is set to launch in the Greater China region in April 2025, achieving the top position in the iOS free game chart during the pre-download phase [1] - Following its launch, the game secured fifth and sixth positions on the iOS best-seller charts in Hong Kong and Taiwan, respectively [1] - In August, the game was released in Thailand, entering the iOS free game chart's top three on its first day and maintaining a position in the top five for several consecutive days [1]

Core Insights - Zulong Entertainment's game "Shining Name" has successfully launched in South Korea, achieving the top position in both iOS and Google Play free game charts, marking a significant milestone in the company's global expansion strategy [1] - The game has seen an average daily active user count in the first half of 2025 surpassing the total averages of 2023 and 2024, with a cumulative revenue exceeding RMB 2 billion globally [3] - The game's appeal to global female players is attributed to its extensive customization options and high-quality graphics, which cater to diverse aesthetic preferences across different regions [4] Company Performance - Zulong Entertainment has launched 24 mobile games in over 170 markets, supporting 14 languages, with a total registered user base exceeding 200 million and cumulative revenue surpassing RMB 22 billion [5] - The company has demonstrated strong performance with another game, "Dragon Tribe: Cassel's Gate," achieving top rankings in various regions, indicating robust operational capabilities and market responsiveness [5] - The company plans to expand the release of "Dragon Tribe: Cassel's Gate" to Japan, South Korea, and other global markets in 2026, focusing on localized strategies for different regions [6] Industry Trends - The Chinese gaming industry's overseas revenue reached USD 18.557 billion in 2024, showing a year-on-year growth of 13.39%, highlighting the potential for further expansion in international markets [8] - The favorable policy environment in China is expected to support the growth of gaming exports, aligning with Zulong Entertainment's long-term global strategy [5][8]

Core Insights - The report highlights the competitive strength of Chinese gaming companies, with Zulong Entertainment recognized for its premium strategy and significant achievements in technology development, cross-platform expansion, and global business [1][3]. Group 1: Competitive Analysis - Zulong Entertainment has been awarded a place in the "Top 10 Strong Foundation Leaders," reflecting its robust growth and industry benchmark value [3]. - The report evaluates gaming companies based on key indicators such as scale, stability, self-operated game products, and investment in gaming businesses [1]. Group 2: Business Performance - Zulong Entertainment has achieved a "three consecutive increases" in revenue, showcasing the effectiveness of its premium strategy and strong product capabilities [5]. - The company’s games, such as the female-oriented mobile game "In the Name of Shine" and the strategy card game "Dragon Tribe: Castle of Cassel," have received widespread acclaim and performed well in the market [5]. Group 3: Future Outlook - Zulong Entertainment emphasizes a "long-termism" approach as a core principle for development, focusing on content expansion, gameplay iteration, and diverse IP collaborations to enhance player experiences [6].

Core Viewpoint - The gaming industry in A-shares and Hong Kong stocks has shown significant revenue growth, with A-share gaming companies reporting a 22% year-on-year increase in gaming business revenue and Hong Kong gaming companies reporting a 16% increase, indicating overall profit improvement for manufacturers [1] Group 1: Revenue Growth Drivers - The performance of new and evergreen games has driven revenue growth, with successful new releases such as Tencent's "Delta Action" and Xindong's "Fantasy Land M: Original Server" contributing to revenue increases in Southeast Asia and the Greater China region [2] - Flagship evergreen games from Tencent and NetEase have also seen growth, with several mid-sized manufacturers experiencing a rebound in older games [2] Group 2: Marketing and AI Strategies - Marketing strategies vary among manufacturers due to product cycle differences, with increased marketing investments noted for new game versions, while some companies have reduced sales expense ratios due to AI-driven efficiency improvements [3] - AI applications in gaming focus on enhancing user engagement through AI NPCs and UGC creation, while company-level applications aim to improve efficiency in art, coding, and customer service [3] Group 3: Future Outlook - The outlook for A-share gaming companies in Q3 is optimistic, with new game releases expected to significantly contribute to profits, exemplified by Giant Network's "Supernatural" and JiBit's "Staff Sword Legend" [4] - Continued focus on the sustainability of new games and the value of evergreen games, alongside global expansion efforts, is anticipated to drive demand [4]

Core Viewpoint - Zulong Entertainment reported significant revenue growth and a substantial reduction in losses for the first half of 2025, indicating an improving operational situation [1][3]. Financial Performance - The company achieved a revenue of 634.3 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 44.4% [1]. - Losses narrowed to 11.7 million yuan, a 91.3% reduction compared to the previous year's loss of 120 million yuan [1][3]. - Revenue from the domestic market reached 512 million yuan, up 68.3% from 304 million yuan in the same period last year [1]. Game Performance - The mobile game "Shining Bright" has been a key driver of revenue, consistently ranking in the top ten of the iOS bestseller list since its launch [2]. - The game has generated over 2 billion yuan in cumulative revenue globally, with significant growth in daily active users (DAU) during the summer of 2025 [2]. - The strategy card game "Dragon Tribe: Kassel Gate," based on a popular IP, also performed well, topping the iOS free chart on its launch day [2]. R&D and Future Projects - R&D expenses for the first half of 2025 were 265 million yuan, slightly up from 264 million yuan in the previous year [3]. - The company is undergoing a restructuring of its project pipeline, delaying several game launches, including "Code: Odin" and "Code: One" [3]. - The gross margin remained high at 71.4%, indicating effective cost control in game operations [3]. Global Strategy - Zulong Entertainment plans to expand its successful games into Southeast Asia and South Korea, having launched 24 mobile games in over 170 markets [4]. - Revenue from regions outside of mainland China decreased to 123 million yuan, accounting for 19.3% of total revenue, down from 30.8% the previous year [4]. Technological Innovation - The company is focusing on next-generation 3A rendering and immersive experiences, exploring AI applications in game development [5]. - An intelligent NPC based on a popular character was introduced in "Dragon Tribe: Kassel Gate," enhancing user interaction [5].

Core Viewpoint - The company expects significant financial improvement in 2025 compared to the previous year, driven by the successful development and launch of new games, including "Project Code: Xiaoyao," "Project K," and "Project G" [1] Financial Performance - For the first half of 2025, the company's revenue reached RMB 634.3 million, marking a 44.4% increase year-on-year [2] - The cost of revenue increased by 54.2% to RMB 181.5 million, while gross profit rose by 40.8% to RMB 452.8 million [2] - Research and development expenses were approximately RMB 265.5 million, showing a slight increase of 0.5% compared to the previous year [2] - Sales and marketing expenses increased by 28.7% to RMB 222.3 million, while administrative expenses decreased by 4.7% to RMB 44.8 million [2] - Other income rose significantly by 135.3% to RMB 4.0 million, contributing to the overall positive financial performance [2] Strategic Direction - The company's sustained growth is attributed to its commitment to a premium strategy, focusing on technological innovation and a diverse product matrix [2][3] - As of the announcement date, the company has released 24 premium mobile games, generating over RMB 22 billion in total revenue and accumulating over 200 million registered users globally [3] - The flagship product "In the Name of Shining" has generated over RMB 2 billion, serving as a stable growth engine for the company [3] Innovation and Technology - The company emphasizes the importance of continuous innovation and R&D investment, with R&D personnel accounting for nearly 80% of its workforce [3] - The integration of advanced technologies, such as AI and Unreal Engine, into game development has allowed the company to create a diverse range of high-quality products [4] - The first female-oriented AAA mobile game "In the Name of Shining" utilizes AI for enhanced player interaction, receiving positive feedback from users [4][6] Market Trends - The gaming user base in China reached approximately 679 million in the first half of 2025, setting a historical record [8] - Policy support for the gaming industry is increasing, with initiatives encouraging technological innovation and collaboration among leading and smaller enterprises [10] - The company's growth potential is expected to be further enhanced by the dual drivers of "engine technology + AI" in the current market environment [10]

Core Viewpoint - Zulong Entertainment (09990.HK) reported a significant increase in revenue for the first half of 2025, achieving 634.3 million yuan, a year-on-year growth of 44.4%, marking a successful "three consecutive increases" in revenue [1] Revenue Performance - The revenue growth of 44.4% in the first half of 2025 follows previous growth rates of 25.6% in 2024 and 55.5% in 2023, indicating a strong market performance [1] - The adjusted net loss was reduced by 93.6% compared to the same period last year, reflecting continuous improvement in operational conditions [1] Game Launches and Performance - The performance improvement is attributed to the successful launches of "Dragon Tribe: Cassel Gate" and "Treading Wind" in the second half of 2024 and the first half of 2025, respectively, along with the stable performance of "Shining Name" [1] - "Shining Name" achieved a historical high in monthly profit in January 2025, with total global revenue exceeding 2 billion yuan as of the announcement date [2] - "Treading Wind," a Chinese-style RPG developed using Unreal Engine 4, topped the iOS free games chart on its launch day in May 2025 [2] Global Strategy - Zulong Entertainment maintains a global strategy, focusing on a research and operation integration model to customize differentiated strategies for various markets [2] - The company aims to deepen local market engagement and enhance value while continuing to expand internationally [2] Game Quality and Operations - The company emphasizes a "research and operation integration" model to enhance game quality and extend revenue cycles, with several classic games maintaining stable long-term performance [3] - The gross margin remains above 70%, showcasing a competitive edge in the industry, supported by effective cost management and innovation in research and development [3] Future Outlook - Zulong Entertainment plans to continue its core strategies of quality, multi-category development, research and operation integration, and globalization [3] - The company aims to explore AI applications in game development, enhancing dynamic gameplay through intelligent NPCs and integrating user-generated and AI-generated content [3]