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 Viewpoint - The sponsorship of Chinese DOTA teams by Lilith's game "Small Ice Ice Legend" signifies a deeper commitment to the esports ecosystem, transcending mere commercial interests [1][7]. Group 1: Sponsorship and Support - "Small Ice Ice Legend" has previously sponsored four Chinese DOTA2 clubs for the Riyadh Masters, demonstrating ongoing support for the Chinese DOTA2 training system [2][3]. - The game has announced sponsorship for the YB team, which is self-funded, as well as for the DOTA16 league finals, indicating a proactive approach to nurturing the esports community [1][12]. Group 2: Historical Context and Impact - "Small Ice Ice Legend," originally known as "Dota Legend," launched in July 2014 and achieved significant success, generating over 2.16 billion in revenue within six months [5]. - The game faced copyright disputes with Blizzard and Valve, leading to a name change and a substantial settlement, highlighting the importance of intellectual property in the gaming industry [5][7]. Group 3: Current Challenges in DOTA2 - The DOTA2 scene in China is experiencing a decline, marked by talent loss and reduced sponsorship, with TI prize pools dropping from 40 million in 2021 to just 2.6 million for TI13 in 2024 [8][10]. - The lack of stable sponsorship and the operational challenges faced by clubs, such as LGD, indicate a critical need for revitalization in the DOTA2 ecosystem [10][11]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The revival of "Small Ice Ice Legend" through the launch of a nostalgic version has garnered positive player feedback, suggesting potential for a resurgence in both the game and the DOTA2 scene [5][7]. - The commitment from "Small Ice Ice Legend" to support the esports community reflects a belief in the eventual revival of Chinese DOTA2, as expressed by the game's team [13].