Core Viewpoint - The report from Credit Lyonnais indicates that NetEase's Q2 performance is expected to improve, with total revenue and adjusted EBIT projected to increase by 12% and 29% year-on-year, reaching RMB 28.5 billion and RMB 10.4 billion respectively [1] Revenue and Earnings - Total revenue is forecasted to rise by 12% year-on-year to RMB 28.5 billion [1] - Adjusted EBIT is expected to increase by 29% year-on-year to RMB 10.4 billion [1] Gaming Performance - The gaming revenue for the period is estimated to grow by 17.9% year-on-year [1] - Key games such as "Naraka: Bladepoint" and "Party Animals" have shown stable performance, while "Peak Speed" has resumed growth [1] - "Identity V" and new game titles are performing steadily [1] Future Product Line - The product lineup for the second half of the year includes RPG game "Marvel: Secret Wars," ARPG game "Diablo II: Resurrected," and FPS game "Voidstar" [1] - Approximately 21 new games have recently passed regulatory approval, which is expected to further drive company growth [1]

Industry Dynamics - In July, a total of 134 game licenses were issued, with 127 being domestic games, indicating a stable approval rate for the year with 893 domestic online games approved so far [2] - The proportion of casual puzzle games among the approved titles saw a significant decline, dropping to 27.6% [2] - The Chinese Football Association plans to establish a national esports football team to participate in various international esports football competitions [3] Company Developments - The domestic AAA game "Mingmo: Yuanshu Zhi Yu" was globally released, but faced controversy due to issues like identical content in different editions and price discrepancies, leading to a drop in its Steam rating from below 20% to 34% after the developers issued an apology and adjusted prices [4] - The game is expected to contribute to the growth of the single-player market in China, with industry experts suggesting that the market for high-quality domestic single-player games is on the rise [4][6] - The gaming company Paper Games experienced executive changes, with Yao Runhao resigning as the legal representative of multiple companies [7] - Zhejiang Shuju Culture held a shareholder meeting to increase its board members from 5 to 7, adding an independent director and a staff representative [8] - NetEase won a bid for a big data platform project with Huatai Securities, amounting to approximately 1.43 million yuan [9] International Developments - The international version of "No Man's Sky" was launched, with the domestic version expected to be released in the fall [11] - Finnish mobile gaming giant Supercell announced an investment in AI gaming company Glass Bead Games, founded by former Alibaba executives [12][13] Esports Events - The third anniversary celebration of "League of Legends Mobile" was successfully held, with teams JT, EW, and TT.Chenxi winning their respective championships [14] - The 2025 League of Legends World Championship will return to China, scheduled from October 14 to November 9 [15]

Group 1 - The gaming sector is experiencing fluctuations, with the gaming ETF (159869) slightly declining by around 0.5%, but it has seen a net inflow of funds for 10 consecutive trading days, totaling 1.994 billion yuan [1] - In 2025, a total of 127 domestic game licenses and 7 imported game licenses will be issued, indicating a stable quantity and frequency of approvals, which is expected to boost market confidence in the gaming industry [1] - The number of game licenses issued in the first half of the year has significantly increased compared to the same period in 2024, with 884 domestic and 62 imported licenses issued, reflecting a strong growth trend in the gaming market [1] Group 2 - The gaming sector is catalyzed by multiple factors including AI, content, and commercialization model transformations, with the upcoming annual gaming event ChinaJoy presenting potential investment opportunities in the gaming ETF (159869) [2]

Core Viewpoint - The approval of domestic and imported games in China has reached a record high in June 2025, indicating a recovery in the gaming industry with a total of 158 new games approved, surpassing previous months' records [3][5]. Group 1: Game Approval Statistics - In June 2025, a total of 158 games received approval, including 147 domestic and 11 imported games [1][3]. - For the first half of 2025, 812 games were approved, the highest in five years, with 757 domestic and 55 imported games [5]. - The average monthly approval rate for games in the first half of 2025 was 135, an increase from 115 in the same period last year [5]. Group 2: Major Game Releases and Issues - Tencent received 7 game approvals in the first half of 2025, including 4 imported and 3 domestic games [5][8]. - Notable games include "Honor of Kings World," which has high expectations with over 860,000 reservations and a score of 8.1 on Taptap [6]. - "Star Resonance," another Tencent game, faced significant issues at launch, including server instability and negative reviews, leading to a score drop to 4.0 on Taptap [6]. Group 3: Competitor Activities - NetEase secured 6 game approvals, including 3 imported and 3 domestic titles, with "The Last Home of Ice and Fire" receiving mixed reviews [10][12]. - Kyeing Network emerged as a significant player, holding over 10 game approvals and signing licensing agreements for popular IPs [12][14]. - Other companies like Perfect World and 37 Interactive Entertainment are also in the process of developing multiple games, with "Eternal Ring" generating high anticipation [15]. Group 4: Market Performance - The gaming industry in China is showing signs of recovery, with sales revenue exceeding 1.4 trillion yuan in the first five months of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 16.99% [17]. - Stock prices of gaming companies have generally risen, with 21 out of 26 companies seeing increases, and some experiencing significant gains of over 80% [17][18].

Core Viewpoint - The summer gaming season of 2025 is set to be unprecedentedly competitive, with over 20 new domestic games scheduled for release in July, highlighting the industry's peak period due to increased user engagement during student vacations [2][11]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - The summer season is traditionally a golden period for the gaming industry, with significant competition expected as major players like Tencent and NetEase launch products around the same time [2][4]. - The global gaming market also experiences a peak during this period, with Chinese game developers focusing on key products for overseas markets, particularly in Asia [2][9]. Group 2: Major Releases and Strategies - Tencent's strategy includes a dual approach with the launch of "Carbon Island" on July 2, which integrates low-carbon concepts into gameplay, and "Star Resonance" on July 17, a major title in the anime genre [5][6]. - NetEase is heavily investing in PC and overseas markets, with the release of "Uncharted Star Abyss" on July 17, developed by a studio founded by Blizzard's co-founder [5][6]. - The direct competition between NetEase's "Uncharted Star Abyss" and Tencent's "Star Resonance" on the same day is anticipated to be a significant highlight of the July gaming market [6]. Group 3: Trends in Game Development - The new game lineup for July reflects two major industry trends: the continued focus on core categories by major companies and a notable recovery in the PC gaming market [9][10]. - The revival of the PC gaming market is attributed to factors such as the normalization of game licensing, the recovery of internet cafes, and the increase in cross-platform games [2][9]. - The emergence of several new PC titles indicates a shift towards differentiated product offerings, as companies seek to provide stronger gaming experiences compared to the saturated mobile gaming market [9][10]. Group 4: Competitive Landscape - The competition among major gaming companies is expected to intensify as they launch multiple products, leading to increased marketing efforts and potential user acquisition challenges [8][9]. - The upcoming releases from both large and small developers aim to capture user attention through innovative gameplay, technological upgrades, and thematic breakthroughs [11].

Core Viewpoint - The gaming industry is experiencing a surge in new game releases during the summer of 2025, driven by the availability of university students and major events like ChinaJoy, which encourages companies to showcase their new titles [3][5]. Game Releases - In June, 20 new games were launched in China, with July seeing over 20 additional titles set to release, including Tencent's "Star Resonance" and NetEase's "Unowned Star Abyss" [4][6]. - Notable games include "Limitless Machine" by Xishanju and "Carbon Island" by Tencent, both released on July 2, marking the start of the summer gaming season [4]. Market Dynamics - The gaming stock market has shown volatility, with significant gains on July 8, as companies like Iceberg Network and Giant Network saw increases of over 10% and 5% respectively [3][8]. - The approval of 757 game licenses in the first half of the year, including a record 158 in June, indicates a stable trend in the gaming industry [8]. Nostalgia and Updates - Established games are also seeing updates and new versions, such as the nostalgic version of "Fantasy Westward Journey," which has attracted significant player interest, leading to server congestion [6][7]. - The strategy of updating older games helps maintain player engagement and ensures stable revenue for gaming companies [7]. Policy Support - Various local governments have introduced supportive policies for the gaming industry, focusing on promoting game exports and integrating AI technology [8]. - The trend of regular game license approvals is expected to continue, fostering a more robust gaming environment [8]. Industry Trends - The gaming industry is witnessing a diversification of genres, with companies exploring new gameplay mechanics and AI integration [9]. - The emergence of party games like "Goose Duck" is expected to intensify competition among major players like NetEase and Tencent [9].

Core Viewpoint - Duoyi Network plans to relocate its headquarters from Guangzhou and lay off over 1,000 employees, citing judicial decisions from the Huangpu Court as detrimental to its operational autonomy [1] Group 1: Management Controversies - The management style of Duoyi Network is characterized by a "high-pressure governance system" centered around founder Xu Bo's personal will [2] - Employees face punitive clauses, such as being charged for meals after leaving the company, which courts have deemed invalid [2] - There are reports of extreme management tactics, including confinement of employees in a "small black room" for refusing to resign [3] Group 2: Judicial Confrontation and Employee Impact - Duoyi Network has a pattern of punishing employees collectively following judicial losses, exemplified by the closure of its Chengdu office after a court ruling [4] - The company frames its legal defeats as a result of judicial unfairness, using employee layoffs as leverage against the judiciary [5] Group 3: Business Crisis - Duoyi Network is experiencing a dual collapse in product and market, with over 90% of its revenue coming from the "Shenwu" series, which has faced multiple IPO failures due to lawsuits [7] - New game releases have underperformed significantly, with combined revenues of less than 1.2 million yuan for two new titles in 2025 [7] - The company has seen a valuation bubble burst, dropping from a valuation of 27 billion yuan in 2023 to being absent from the 2024 Hu Run list [8] Group 4: Governance and Cultural Issues - The founder's controversial actions and statements have led to a collapse of the company's public image and governance structure [9] - The company's approach to labor relations has resulted in long-term damage to its talent ecosystem, with key personnel leaving [12] - The company's ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standing has deteriorated, leading to a loss of trust from local governments and investors [13] Group 5: Conclusion - The situation at Duoyi Network illustrates a clash between feudal management practices and modern legal frameworks, highlighting the risks of viewing the judiciary as an adversary [14]

Core Viewpoint - The summer gaming season of 2025 is expected to be highly competitive, with a record number of new game releases and significant industry changes driving this intense environment [2][4]. Group 1: Game Releases and Competition - A total of 26 new games are scheduled for release in July, along with 15 limited tests, marking one of the most competitive summer seasons in history [2]. - Tencent plans to launch two new games: the eco-friendly casual game "Carbon Island" on July 2 and the multiplayer RPG "Star Resonance" on July 17 [2]. - NetEase is set to release the highly anticipated PC game "No Master Star Abyss" on July 17, which has already gained significant attention by topping the global trial rankings during a recent Steam event [2]. Group 2: Regulatory Environment and Market Growth - The issuance of game licenses has significantly increased, with 158 games approved in June alone, marking a peak for the year and the highest monthly total since 2003 [5]. - From the beginning of the year to June, 757 domestic games and 55 imported games have received approval, indicating a trend towards regular issuance of licenses that supports industry growth [6]. - The Chinese gaming market showed a positive growth trend, with a market size of 28.051 billion yuan in May 2025, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 9.86% [6]. Group 3: International Expansion and Challenges - The global mobile gaming market is projected to reach 635.57 billion yuan in 2024, with Chinese mobile games accounting for 37.5% of the market, up from 32% in previous years [8]. - However, competition in overseas markets is intensifying, with companies like NetEase making significant cuts to their international operations, including layoffs in Japan and North America [8][9]. - Regulatory changes, such as the FTC's fine against miHoYo for its game "Genshin Impact," have added uncertainty to the industry, impacting revenue and market positioning [9][11]. Group 4: Domestic Market Dynamics - Despite the challenges in international markets, the domestic gaming market continues to show potential, with a focus on high-quality content leading to successful titles like "Honor of Kings" maintaining top revenue positions globally [15]. - The competitive landscape remains fierce, with companies needing to adapt their strategies to thrive in both domestic and international arenas, emphasizing the importance of quality and innovation [14][15].

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "stronger than the market," indicating an expected relative increase of over 10% in the industry index compared to the broader market within the next six months [7]. Core Insights - The report highlights a record high in game license approvals in June, with 147 domestic games and 11 imported games receiving approval, marking a total of 757 domestic games approved year-to-date [2]. - Tencent is increasing its focus on the FPS game segment, with two FPS titles, "Crossfire: Rainbow" and "Tactical Squad: Dawn Assault," receiving approval. These games are expected to leverage Tencent's established IP and development expertise for market success [2][3]. - Kingsoft's "Duck Duck Goose," a social deduction game, has also received approval for its mobile version, positioning it as a strong competitor against other party games in the market [3]. Summary by Sections Game License Approvals - In June, a total of 147 domestic games and 11 imported games were approved, with notable titles from major developers such as Tencent and Kingsoft [2]. - The approval of these games reflects a diverse range of genres and established companies, indicating a robust supply side in the gaming industry [2]. Tencent's FPS Strategy - Tencent's approval of two new FPS games demonstrates its commitment to this genre, with "Crossfire: Rainbow" being a new installment in a well-known series and "Tactical Squad: Dawn Assault" being a localized version of an existing game [2]. - The development teams behind these games have significant experience in FPS game production, which may enhance their market performance [2]. Competitive Landscape - The approval of "Duck Duck Goose" is expected to intensify competition in the party game segment, particularly against titles like NetEase's "Egg Party" and Tencent's "Dream Star" [3]. - The report suggests that the gaming market is becoming increasingly competitive, with new entrants and established players vying for market share [3].

Gaming Industry - The issuance of gaming licenses in China remains high, with 757 domestic game licenses issued in the first half of the year, a year-on-year increase of over 20% [1] - Key projects such as "Douluo Dalu: Soul Master Battle" by Kaiying Network and "Endless Cultivation" by Giant Network have received new licenses, indicating a recovery in the gaming sector [1] - The application of AI technology in gaming is becoming clearer, with expectations for more AI-native games to emerge, driving a revaluation of the gaming industry [1] Stablecoins - Hong Kong is accelerating the application of stablecoin policies to address long-standing issues in cross-border payments, aiming to enhance service to the real economy [2] - Stablecoins are seen as a cost-effective alternative in the traditional financial system, with potential to transform payment and capital market activities [2] - The stablecoin industry is expected to enter a period of compliant development as global regulatory policies are implemented [2] Foldable Phones - Honor is set to launch the Honor Magic V5, touted as the world's lightest and thinnest foldable phone, featuring advanced AI capabilities [3] - The Chinese foldable phone market is projected to maintain a 40% global market share, with shipments expected to exceed 17 million units by 2028, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 19.8% over the next five years [3] - Apple's entry into the foldable phone market is anticipated to boost global sales and drive innovation in the foldable supply chain [3] Regenerative Medicine - Chinese scientists have made a significant breakthrough in regenerative medicine by discovering a key "molecular switch" that regulates mammalian regeneration, marking a major original innovation [4] - The aging population in China is driving clinical demand for regenerative medicine, with technologies like stem cell therapy and 3D bioprinting entering a phase of clinical transformation [4] - The "14th Five-Year Plan" has identified regenerative medicine as a strategic emerging industry, indicating strong government support [4] Innovative Pharmaceuticals - The National Healthcare Security Administration is set to announce measures to support the high-quality development of innovative drugs, which is expected to benefit domestic innovative pharmaceutical companies significantly [5] - The Chinese innovative drug market is projected to exceed 1.22 trillion yuan by 2025, with an annual growth rate of 8.53% [5] - The implementation of policies to support innovative drug development is expected to accelerate the commercialization of new drugs, with 2025 potentially marking a turning point for profitability in the sector [5] Solid Waste Management - A nationwide campaign has been launched to address illegal dumping of solid waste, focusing on hazardous waste and construction debris [6] - The solid waste management industry is experiencing a dual boost from policy support and technological upgrades, with significant market expansion expected [6] - The "14th Five-Year Plan" emphasizes the importance of solid waste management as a pillar of the environmental protection industry [6] AI in Healthcare - Shanghai Ruijin Hospital has open-sourced its RuiPath pathology model, covering seven common cancer types, and initiated a global multi-center plan [7] - The integration of AI technology in healthcare is rapidly transforming the industry, with major tech companies accelerating their investments in AI healthcare solutions [7] - The development of large models in AI is expected to bring revolutionary changes to various medical applications, driving the intelligent upgrade of the healthcare industry [7] Photovoltaic Glass - Major domestic photovoltaic glass companies plan to collectively reduce production by 30% starting in July to alleviate supply-demand imbalances [8][10] - The average net profit of the photovoltaic glass industry has dropped to a historical low, indicating severe profitability challenges [8] - The production reduction is expected to improve market conditions and help companies find a new equilibrium in supply and demand [8][10]