Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the current challenges faced by NetEase in the gaming industry, highlighting executive departures, underwhelming game launches, and internal management issues, while contrasting its performance with Tencent's growth [6][11][13]. Group 1: Executive Departures and Internal Challenges - Recent departures of key executives, including the producer of "World Beyond" and the head of NetEase's tenth business unit, have raised concerns about the company's stability and future direction [7][10]. - The internal management structure is under strain, with a notable shift in talent from the Guangzhou team to the rapidly rising Hangzhou headquarters, indicating a potential imbalance in resource allocation [15][20][21]. - The company has faced issues with internal corruption, which, while not directly impacting revenue, could lead to broader organizational dysfunction [24]. Group 2: Game Launch Performance - Despite launching three new games in October, the market response has been disappointing, with "Marvel Secret War" achieving only 292,000 downloads and 2.88 million in revenue in its first week, which is considered underwhelming for a title with a well-known IP [10][11]. - The overall gaming revenue for NetEase in Q2 was 228 billion yuan, reflecting a 13.7% year-on-year growth, but this was below market expectations, indicating potential issues in sustaining growth [11][12]. - Compared to Tencent's gaming revenue of 592 billion yuan, which saw a 17% increase in the domestic market, NetEase's performance appears lackluster [13]. Group 3: Strategic Direction and Market Position - The article suggests that NetEase's current strategy of frequent new game launches may not be a coherent plan but rather a reaction to market pressures, as none of the new titles have emerged as hits [31][32]. - The gaming industry is shifting towards deeper value creation, where success is increasingly tied to emotional resonance and user engagement rather than just monetization strategies [33]. - The need for NetEase to reconnect with its original passion for game development is emphasized, as the company faces competition from both Tencent and emerging players like miHoYo [29][33].

Core Viewpoint - The departure of Li Kaiming, the producer of the popular SLG game "Rate of the Land," from NetEase marks a significant shift in the company's gaming strategy amidst a challenging industry environment [2][7]. Group 1: Departure of Li Kaiming - Li Kaiming announced his departure from NetEase on the 10th anniversary of "Rate of the Land," citing personal career development plans [2][3]. - He has been with NetEase since July 2013, holding various leadership roles and contributing to successful projects like "Rate of the Land" and "Endless Lagrange" [5]. Group 2: Impact on NetEase and the Gaming Industry - The gaming industry is experiencing a downturn, leading companies, including NetEase, to become more sensitive to project decisions [8]. - The next project Li was set to lead, "Ten Thousand People Long Song: Three Kingdoms," has been paused due to unsatisfactory market feedback [7][8]. - NetEase's previous successful development model, which relied on producer-led large projects, is undergoing changes, necessitating a focus on mature or high-potential projects rather than new, less proven titles [8].