Group 1: Game Releases and Updates - "Diablo II: Resurrected" opened pre-orders on August 12, with three versions priced at 168 yuan, 288 yuan, and 458 yuan, and technical testing starting on August 27 [1] - "Whispers from the Star," an AI interactive game, was released on August 15 on Steam, priced at 33.99 yuan, with an 80% discount available for the first two weeks [2] - "Destiny: Stars" began a limited paid closed test on August 15, featuring a sci-fi RPG setting and customizable characters [4] - "Path of Exile: Ascendancy" will hold an offline trial event in Shenzhen on August 17, allowing players to explore new gameplay features [6] - The independent game "Exorcism Agency" launched on Steam, with a promotional price of 43.2 yuan for the first week [8] - The first promotional video for the single-player ARPG "Ancient Sword" was released on August 16, generating over 7.4 million views on Bilibili within a day [9] Group 2: Industry Events and Financial Reports - The KPL finals for "Honor of Kings" will take place at the Bird's Nest on November 8, expecting over 50,000 attendees [12] - The mobile game "World Flipper" officially ceased operations on August 14, with compensation options for players [14] - The 2025 Dahuaxiyou Carnival will be held in Tianjin from August 16 to 17, featuring local cultural experiences and game-related activities [16] - Tencent reported Q2 2025 revenue of 184.5 billion yuan, a 15% year-on-year increase, with gaming revenue at 59.2 billion yuan, up 22% [18] - NetEase announced Q2 2025 revenue of 27.9 billion yuan, a 9.4% increase, with gaming revenue at 22.8 billion yuan, up 13.7% [21]

Core Insights - China has become a major player in the global gaming market, with its gaming footprint expanding worldwide, as highlighted by the success of games like "荒野行动" in various international locations [2][3] - The past decade has been a golden era for mobile gaming in China, with NetEase achieving significant breakthroughs across multiple game genres, including MMORPGs and other categories like racing and sports [2] - NetEase's success in diversifying its game offerings is attributed to its robust industrial foundation, enabling large-scale and efficient development of high-quality products, which is essential for global expansion [2][3] Industry Trends - The collaboration with Blizzard on "Diablo Immortal" has underscored the need for a more localized strategy to penetrate mainstream markets [3] - The gaming industry in China has seen a 60-fold increase in NetEase's gaming revenue over the past 20 years, indicating substantial growth and the ability to support AAA game development [3] - Upcoming high-quality products such as "燕云十六声," "遗忘之海," and "无限大" are set to be launched in overseas markets, marking a new push for global market presence [4]

Group 1: Core Insights - Zhu Xiaohu believes that large models will dominate 90% of AI agents, expressing strong optimism about the AI sector despite existing bubbles in the embodied intelligence space [2] - Zhu's investment firm, Jingshan Capital, has invested in various AI-related startups, including Robopoet, Aha Lab, LiblibAI, and FancyTech, indicating a strategic focus on AI innovation [2] - The current AI agent entrepreneurship is likened to the early days of personal website creators in the internet era, suggesting that today's AI entrepreneurs can learn from those historical examples [2] Group 2: Characteristics of Early Internet Entrepreneurs - Successful early internet entrepreneurs often started by addressing fundamental user needs such as information access, communication, and navigation, which helped build user loyalty [3][9] - The early personal website creators were characterized by a practical approach to technology, focusing on real-world problem-solving and grassroots promotion methods [3][9] - These entrepreneurs capitalized on the rapid growth of internet users in China during the late 1990s to early 2000s, a period marked by an undefined competitive landscape [3][9] Group 3: Notable Examples of Early Internet Success - Netease, founded by Ding Lei in 1997, evolved from providing personal homepage services to becoming a major internet giant, successfully listing on NASDAQ [6][7] - Tencent, established by Ma Huateng and a small team in 1998, initially developed OICQ (later QQ) and expanded into a vast ecosystem including social media, gaming, and payment services [7][9] - Hao123, created by Li Xingping, gained massive traffic by meeting the needs of novice internet users and was acquired by Baidu for a significant sum, exemplifying the potential for personal websites to achieve substantial commercial success [8][9]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of game operation in the current era of stagnant growth in the gaming industry, highlighting that effective player management and engagement are crucial for retaining users and extending the lifecycle of games [8][16][54]. Group 1: Game Operation Challenges - The gaming industry is transitioning into a phase where retaining existing users is more critical than acquiring new ones, as evidenced by a mere 0.94% growth in China's gaming user base in 2024 [15][16]. - The operational strategies of game companies must adapt to the new reality of stagnant user growth, necessitating a focus on player retention and satisfaction [16][54]. - A significant operational incident in the game "绝地潜兵2" illustrates how poor management can lead to player dissatisfaction, despite initial successes [5][7]. Group 2: Player Engagement Strategies - Effective player operation involves understanding user behavior and proactively addressing potential churn risks, with companies employing data-driven strategies to monitor player engagement [27][30]. - Companies are increasingly using personalized communication and incentives to keep players engaged, such as sending tailored messages or rewards to those showing signs of disengagement [28][30]. - The concept of "超预期服务" (exceeding expectations) is highlighted, where companies go beyond standard service to create emotional connections with players, thereby enhancing loyalty [42][45]. Group 3: Historical Context and Evolution - The evolution of game operation practices over the past two decades reflects a shift from basic customer service to sophisticated user lifecycle management, driven by technological advancements and market competition [46][50]. - The rising costs of acquiring new players have made it imperative for companies to invest in retaining existing users, as the cost of acquiring a light user has increased to 35-40 yuan by 2024 [53][54]. - Historical insights reveal that early game companies did not prioritize extensive user engagement, but the current landscape demands a more nuanced approach to player relationships [56][58].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of game operation in the current market, highlighting that success or failure often hinges on effective player engagement and retention strategies in a saturated gaming environment [6][18][56]. Group 1: Game Operation and Player Engagement - The recent incident in "Battlefield 2" illustrates how crucial game operation is, as player dissatisfaction arose from perceived operational flaws despite the game's initial success [3][5]. - Tencent's strategic officer noted that stagnation in a game often points to issues within the operational team rather than the game itself, stressing the need for the right personnel to manage player engagement [15]. - The gaming industry is transitioning from a phase of rapid growth to one focused on retaining existing players, making player operation more critical than ever [17][18][19]. Group 2: Challenges in Player Retention - In 2024, China's gaming user growth was only 0.94%, indicating a shift towards a more competitive landscape where retaining existing players is paramount [17]. - Companies are now tasked with keeping older games engaging for long-term players, which presents unprecedented challenges for player operation roles [19][30]. - Effective player operation involves monitoring user behavior and intervening before players decide to leave, utilizing data-driven strategies to enhance user experience [28][30]. Group 3: Evolution of Game Operation - The evolution of player operation has been significant, moving from basic customer service to a comprehensive lifecycle management approach that addresses user needs at every stage [49][52]. - The cost of acquiring new players has increased dramatically, necessitating a focus on retaining existing users to justify the investment made in acquiring them [55][56]. - Companies are learning from successful long-standing games, implementing strategies to extend their lifecycle and maintain player interest [57][58]. Group 4: The Role of Player Operation Teams - Player operation teams are now expected to provide "exceeding expectations" services, creating emotional connections with players to enhance retention [43][48]. - Successful player operation involves not just addressing complaints but also proactively engaging with players through personalized interactions and community-building activities [43][44][67]. - The emotional aspect of player operation is highlighted, as operators often form bonds with players, which can lead to increased loyalty and reduced churn [66][72].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the critical importance of game operation in the current market, highlighting that success or failure often hinges on effective player engagement and retention strategies [5][7][9]. Group 1: Game Operation Importance - Game operation has become increasingly vital as the gaming industry transitions into a phase of stagnant user growth, with only a 0.94% increase in China's gaming user base in 2024 [8]. - The era of coarse growth in the gaming industry has ended, necessitating a focus on retaining existing users rather than acquiring new ones [9]. - Effective game operation can lead to significant player retention, as evidenced by the resurgence of player numbers in games like "绝地潜兵2" through strategic operational efforts [4][5]. Group 2: Player Engagement Strategies - Companies are now employing detailed player operation strategies, including personalized communication and proactive engagement to prevent player churn [14][15]. - The use of data analytics allows companies to identify at-risk players and intervene before they decide to leave, with some companies reporting a 70% chance of player loss if no action is taken [15][29]. - The concept of "全用户全生命周期服务" (full user lifecycle service) is being adopted, indicating that engagement starts from the moment a player shows interest in a game [15][28]. Group 3: Challenges in Player Operation - The operational teams face immense pressure to manage player expectations and emotions, often acting as a buffer between the players and the game developers [19][20]. - High turnover rates and the emotional toll of dealing with frustrated players are common challenges faced by game operation staff [20][21]. - Companies are implementing measures to support the mental health of their operational teams, recognizing the need for emotional resilience in high-stress environments [21][23]. Group 4: Historical Context and Evolution - The evolution of game operation practices has been significant over the past two decades, transitioning from basic customer service to sophisticated user engagement strategies [27][29]. - The gaming industry has shifted from a focus on acquiring new players to extending the lifecycle of existing games, driven by increased competition and rising user acquisition costs [29][30]. - Historical practices in player engagement, such as community events and personalized interactions, are being revisited and enhanced with modern technology [30][31].