Core Insights - The top six mobile game publishers remain unchanged, with Tencent, DianDian Interactive, NetEase, miHoYo, and Florere Game showing strong performance, leading to a quarter-over-quarter revenue increase for publishers [2][33] - Notable revenue growth was observed for several games, including "恋与深空" (Love and Deep Space) and "地下城与勇士：起源" (Dungeon and Fighter: Origin), contributing to the overall revenue surge for their respective publishers [2][24] Group 1: Publisher Performance - Tencent's global revenue increased by 20% in July, maintaining its position as the top mobile game publisher in China [3] - DianDian Interactive's game "Kingshot" saw a 34% revenue increase, with total global revenue surpassing $200 million [10] - NetEase's "蛋仔派对" (Egg Party) achieved a revenue increase of 100% in July, contributing to a 23% rise in the company's overall revenue [12] - miHoYo's revenue surged by 28%, driven by the success of "崩坏：星穹铁道" (Honkai: Star Rail) which saw a 325% revenue increase [16] - Florere Game's revenue grew by 24%, supported by the success of "Last Z: Survival Shooter" which saw a 44% increase [18] Group 2: Game Updates and Events - "三角洲行动" (Delta Action) experienced a 166% revenue increase following a major update and collaboration event, ranking third in the iOS market [8] - "地下城与勇士：起源" (Dungeon and Fighter: Origin) saw a 42% revenue increase after a significant content update, ranking sixth in the iOS market [8] - "恋与深空" (Love and Deep Space) achieved record revenue following a major version update, with a 33% increase in revenue [24] - New titles from publishers like 沐瞳科技 (Muto Technology) and 游卡网络 (Youka Network) also showed strong performance, with revenue increases of 32% and 110% respectively [25][27] Group 3: Market Trends - The competition among mobile game publishers remains intense, with many companies leveraging flagship products and new releases to drive revenue growth [33] - The overall revenue for the top 100 global mobile game publishers reached $19.5 billion, accounting for 34% of the total revenue in this period [2]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for several companies in the media sector, indicating a positive outlook for their stock performance [6][9]. Core Insights - The media industry (Shenwan) saw a weekly increase of 2.15%, ranking 18th among industries, outperforming the Shanghai Composite Index and the CSI 300 Index [12][20]. - Key companies such as Happiness Blue Ocean, Xinhua Media, and InSai Group showed strong performance, with notable weekly gains [20]. - The report highlights the approval of 134 game licenses in July, with 127 domestic and 7 imported game licenses issued, indicating a robust gaming market [30][31]. Industry Performance - The media sector's sub-segments experienced overall growth, with the gaming sector rising by 2.96%, advertising by 0.90%, and film by 2.00% [12][15]. - The top three best-selling games as of July 24 were "Dungeon & Fighter: Origin," "Honor of Kings," and "Peacekeeper Elite" [27]. Key Data and Updates - AI applications saw significant download numbers, with the top apps being Doubao and Quark, indicating a growing interest in AI technologies [24]. - The film industry reported a total box office of 9.57 billion yuan for the week of July 18-24, with "The Lychee of Chang'an" leading the box office [38][39]. Investment Recommendations - The report recommends focusing on themes such as AI applications and cultural exports, particularly in gaming, IP, short dramas, and publishing sectors [4][43]. - Specific companies to watch include Giant Network, Kae Ying Network, Yaoji Technology, and Meitu Company, among others [4][43].

Group 1 - The gaming market has shown significant recovery over the past year, with a notable increase in the number of game approvals [1][6] - In June, the National Press and Publication Administration approved 147 domestic game licenses and 11 imported game licenses, marking a recent high in the number of approvals [1][6] - For the first half of 2025, the number of domestic game licenses reached 757, with a consistent monthly increase in approvals [5][6] Group 2 - In 2024, a total of 1,416 new game licenses were issued, including 1,306 domestic and 110 imported licenses, returning to the approval levels seen in 2020 [6] - The Chinese gaming market size reached 280.5 billion yuan in May, reflecting a year-on-year growth of approximately 9.9% [6] - Tencent's games, such as "Honor of Kings" and "Crossfire: Gunfight King," achieved record quarterly revenues, contributing to the overall market growth [6][7] Group 3 - The approval speed for game licenses has accelerated, providing strong support for manufacturers to launch new products [7] - Despite the increase in the number of licenses, competition in the gaming market has intensified, emphasizing the importance of quality in addition to quantity [7]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses Tencent's potential acquisition of Nexon, a significant player in the gaming industry, for approximately $15 billion, which could mark a historic deal in China's internet sector [2][3][4]. Group 1: Tencent's Acquisition Interest - Tencent is reportedly considering acquiring Nexon, the parent company of Neople, for $15 billion (approximately 107.7 billion RMB) [2][3]. - This acquisition could surpass Tencent's previous record of acquiring 84.3% of Finnish game company Supercell for $8.6 billion, making it the largest acquisition in the history of Chinese internet companies [3][4]. Group 2: Historical Context - Tencent's relationship with Nexon dates back to 2008 when it secured the rights to operate DNF (Dungeon & Fighter) in China after a lengthy negotiation process [5][6]. - DNF became a massive success in China, generating over $500 million in revenue for Neople in 2015, which accounted for 87.6% of its total revenue [5][6]. Group 3: Nexon's Market Position - Nexon, known for classic IPs like DNF and Bubble Fighter, has a significant market presence and was valued at approximately $15.8 billion (about 114 billion RMB) as of recent reports [9][10]. - The company has a history of successful acquisitions and growth, having gone public in 2011 and becoming a major player in the gaming industry [7][9]. Group 4: Challenges and Considerations - The potential acquisition faces challenges due to the recent passing of Nexon's founder, Kim Jung-ju, and the subsequent management transition to his family, which complicates negotiations [9][10]. - The current valuation of Nexon appears reasonable given its historical performance and market position, making the acquisition an attractive opportunity for Tencent [12].

Core Viewpoint - Tencent is considering acquiring Nexon for $15 billion, which would mark a significant move in the gaming industry, potentially making it the largest acquisition by a Chinese internet company to date [3][4][19]. Group 1: Historical Context - Korean games played a pivotal role in the development of the Chinese gaming market, with titles like "Legend," "Dungeon & Fighter (DNF)," and "MapleStory" shaping the gaming landscape [2][3]. - Tencent's long-standing relationship with Neople, the developer of DNF, began in 2008 when it secured the rights to operate the game in China after a protracted negotiation process [9][10]. Group 2: Acquisition Details - The potential acquisition of Nexon is seen as a strategic move for Tencent to consolidate its position in the gaming industry, especially given Nexon's portfolio of popular IPs [6][19]. - The acquisition price of $15 billion is viewed as reasonable considering Nexon's market position and historical performance, especially after its IPO in 2011 [16][19]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - The gaming industry has evolved significantly since Tencent's initial dealings with Neople, and the current landscape presents new challenges and opportunities for acquisitions [15][19]. - Tencent's strategy has shifted towards a more aggressive investment approach, aiming to secure future hits in the gaming market by expanding its portfolio through acquisitions [18][19].

Core Viewpoint - The gaming market in China is witnessing the return of two major titles, Tencent's "Victory Goddess: New Hope" and Bilibili's "Shining! Yujun Girl," both of which have shown unexpected market performance after their respective launches [1][22]. Group 1: Game Performance - "Shining! Yujun Girl" had a long development cycle of five years and was initially launched in Japan in February 2021, generating over 5.1 billion yuan in its first month and approximately 50 billion yuan in total revenue for the year [3][17]. - The game returned to the Chinese market on May 22, 2023, after nearly two years of absence, but its performance has been underwhelming, with only 203 million yuan in revenue over 12 days on iOS [6][12]. - "Victory Goddess: New Hope" generated 24 million yuan in revenue within its first 12 days, which is significantly lower than other major titles like "Dungeon and Fighter: Origin" [32][37]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - Both games faced challenges in their marketing strategies, with "Shining! Yujun Girl" opting for a low-profile re-launch that coincided with the release of "Victory Goddess," impacting its visibility and player engagement [16][37]. - The download trends for "Shining! Yujun Girl" showed a decline, with approximately 66,000 downloads over 12 days, indicating a lack of sustained interest [12][25]. - The competitive landscape in the Chinese mobile gaming market is intensifying, with players becoming more selective and demanding higher quality content, making it increasingly difficult for overseas titles to succeed upon their return [37][38]. Group 3: Future Outlook - The future success of "Shining! Yujun Girl" will depend on the developers' willingness to invest in marketing and content optimization to attract new and returning players [16][37]. - The performance of "Victory Goddess" is being closely monitored, as its initial results are considered average compared to expectations set by its overseas success [32][37]. - The overall trend suggests that the chances of overseas games succeeding in the Chinese market are diminishing, with local developers having a better chance of success with self-developed titles [37][38].

Investment Rating - The industry rating is "Recommended" [5] Core Insights & Investment Recommendations - Trade uncertainties have resurfaced, with President Trump threatening a 50% tariff on EU imports, which may disrupt market risk appetite temporarily. However, China's core assets still hold low-positioning value due to domestic demand resilience, industrial chain upgrades, and policy support [2][25] - OpenAI's acquisition of the AI hardware startup io for $6.5 billion marks its entry into the hardware sector, indicating a strategic shift from a "pure software ecosystem" to an "end-side closed-loop" strategy. This move is expected to lower the technical usage threshold and accelerate the commercialization of AI applications in consumer scenarios [2][25] - Investment opportunities include: 1) Hong Kong internet leaders benefiting from consumption promotion and employment stability; 2) The gaming industry, which is expected to see growth due to policy incentives and technological empowerment; 3) The film and cultural tourism industry, which will benefit from consumption policies promoting cinema recovery [3][26] Industry Data - The top three films at the box office are "Dumpling Queen" with 31.83 million yuan (21.10% market share), "Hunting Gold: Game" with 29.16 million yuan (19.40% market share), and "Life Opens the Door" with 25.13 million yuan (16.70% market share) [4][63]

Group 1 - The gaming sector is experiencing a continuous upward trend, with the gaming ETF (159869) rising nearly 1.5% on May 22, 2023, and several stocks such as Kunlun Wanwei (300418) and Youzu Interactive (002174) showing significant gains [1] - In May 2023, the National Press and Publication Administration approved 130 domestic and 14 imported online games, totaling 144 approvals, marking a record for monthly approvals in nearly two years [1] - According to Gamma Data, the Chinese gaming market size reached 85.704 billion yuan in Q1 2025, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 17.99%, with overseas sales of self-developed games amounting to 4.805 billion USD, also up 17.92% [1] Group 2 - Great Wall Securities forecasts that the gaming industry will reach a historical high in 2024, with growth rates expected to accelerate from Q3 2024 onwards [2] - The industry is anticipated to benefit from the launch of new products and increased consumer demand, indicating a long-term positive trend for gaming sector performance [2]

Group 1: Game Approval and Market Trends - In May, the National Press and Publication Administration approved 130 domestic online games and 14 imported games, totaling 144 approvals, setting a new record for monthly approvals in nearly two years [1] - Notable domestic games include Perfect World's "异环," which has garnered significant attention with 9.6 million views on Bilibili and over 2.01 million reservations on TapTap [1] - The gaming industry is showing signs of recovery, with the Chinese game market size reaching 857.04 billion yuan in Q1 2025, a year-on-year growth of 17.99% [3] Group 2: Tencent's Innovations and Financial Performance - Tencent launched an industrial-grade AIGC game content production engine, which is expected to enhance efficiency for small and independent game developers [2] - Tencent's gaming revenue for Q1 2025 reached 59.5 billion yuan, with international market revenue growing by 23% to 16.6 billion yuan [2][4] - The introduction of AI technologies in games like "和平精英" has led to a 16% year-on-year increase in user engagement [2] Group 3: Other Companies' Performance - NetEase reported Q1 2025 revenue of approximately 28.8 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of over 7%, with net profit exceeding 10.3 billion yuan, marking a record high for the company [4] - Zhongjiu Mobile plans to launch a new game, "代号：暗夜传奇," in H1 2025, focusing on agile development to enhance competitiveness in the mini-game market [4]

Group 1 - The Chinese gaming industry is experiencing a new round of policy benefits due to government support for cultural and entertainment consumption, with the market size reaching 857.04 billion yuan in the first quarter of 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 17.99% [1] - Both mobile and client game markets contributed to the overall growth, with new products and cross-platform releases driving incremental revenue [1] - The client game market size was 179.19 billion yuan in the first quarter, showing a year-on-year increase of 6.85% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 3.62%, supported by seasonal promotional activities [1] Group 2 - The actual sales revenue of the Chinese mobile game market was 636.26 billion yuan in the first quarter, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 20.29% but a quarter-on-quarter decline of 2.18% [2] - Long-standing top products like "Honor of Kings" and "CrossFire: Gunfight King" achieved record-high quarterly revenues, while new products contributed to the year-on-year growth [2] - The overseas market for self-developed Chinese games generated actual sales revenue of 4.805 billion USD in the first quarter, marking a year-on-year increase of 17.92%, driven by significant contributions from titles like "Last War: Survival Game" and "Whiteout Survival" [2]