Core Viewpoint - The Chinese "ACG (Anime, Comic, Game)" gaming sector is experiencing a resurgence after a period of stagnation, with several major titles receiving approval or launching, marking a new industry peak similar to previous waves in 2015 and 2020 [1][2][5] Industry Trends - The current wave of ACG games is characterized by domestic developers no longer blindly following trends but instead focusing on developing their own intellectual properties (IPs) and integrating ACG elements with familiar game types, exploring niche markets [1][11] - The market is seeing a significant influx of new and established players, leading to a competitive environment that may result in a reshuffling of market positions [4][11] Game Launches and Performance - Notable game launches include "Victory Goddess: NIKKE," which achieved $1 billion in global revenue by January 2025, and "Pretty Derby," which returned after a 622-day hiatus, generating approximately $203 million in its first 12 days [2][3] - Other successful titles include "杖剑传说," which generated over 200 million yuan in its first month, and "最终幻想14：水晶世界," which began testing in June 2025 [3][4] Market Dynamics - The ACG gaming sector has experienced three major peaks over the past decade, with the current trend being driven by a more mature understanding of the market and player preferences [5][6] - Previous failures in the sector were often due to a lack of depth in storytelling and gameplay, leading to a "winner-takes-all" scenario where only a few titles succeeded [6][10] Cultural Shifts - The rise of "Guochao" (national trend) has allowed domestic developers to resonate more with local audiences, reducing cultural barriers and enhancing emotional connections with players [12][13] - The development of game-related merchandise is gaining traction, reflecting a shift in focus towards creating a broader ecosystem around ACG titles [12][13] Future Outlook - The current trend indicates a diversification of gameplay styles, with developers exploring various genres such as ARPG, shooting, and open-world games, which may lead to new market opportunities [11][12] - There is speculation about the potential for a "GTA-style" ACG game to emerge, with titles like "异环" and "无限大" being closely watched for their market impact [14][15][16]

Group 1: Game Releases - Tencent's new MMO "Star Resonance" officially launched on July 17, 2023, and topped the iOS free chart on its opening day [1] - "I Am Surrounded by Beautiful Women! 2" was released on Steam on July 17, 2023, maintaining romance simulation elements while focusing on ancient costume comedy and suspense [3] - "The Age of Discovery: Legends" was launched on July 17, 2023, allowing players to navigate as sailors during the 16th-century Age of Discovery [5] - Nintendo's "Donkey Kong: Bananarama" was released on July 17, 2023, receiving an average score of 91 from 87 media outlets on Metacritic, with IGN giving it a perfect score [7] - "Lily's "Far Light 84" began its third testing phase on July 18, 2023, featuring first-person shooting and multi-civilization warfare gameplay [9] Group 2: Industry News - Century Huatong released its 2025 first-half performance data on July 14, 2023, reporting a consolidated revenue of approximately 17 billion, a year-on-year increase of about 83.27%, and an expected net profit of 2.4 billion to 3 billion, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 107.20% to 159.00% [15] - The Shanghai Game Industry Report for the first half of 2025 was published on July 15, 2023, indicating that the overall sales revenue of online games in Shanghai reached approximately 83.28 billion, a year-on-year increase of 10.80%, with domestic revenue at 68.74 billion and overseas revenue at 14.55 billion, both achieving double-digit growth [17]

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].

Group 1 - Tencent's new MMO game "Star Resonance" officially launched on July 17, based on the IP "Blue Protocol" from Bandai Namco, which ceased operations earlier this year. This launch may inject new vitality into the domestic ACG (Anime, Comic, and Game) market and strengthen Tencent's competitive advantage in this segment [1] Group 2 - Nintendo's new game "Donkey Kong: Bananapocalypse" was released on July 17, receiving an average score of 91 from 87 media outlets on Metacritic, with IGN giving it a perfect score. As a Switch 2 exclusive, this high rating may enhance Nintendo's competitiveness in the console gaming market and boost confidence in the monetization potential of its IPs [2] Group 3 - Chuangmeng Tiandi's tactical shooting game "Kara Bichu" mobile version began a limited paid testing phase on July 17, lasting until July 26, exclusively for Android. The original PC version performed well in Japan, indicating potential for monetization in the mobile market. Positive test results could enhance market perception of the company's game development capabilities, particularly in the niche of ACG and tactical shooting [3]

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 - 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 maintained as "Increase" [7][32]. Core Viewpoints - The media sector is expected to benefit from AI applications, IP monetization, and mergers and acquisitions, with a focus on multi-modal industry directions and companies with IP advantages [1][2]. - The Chinese gaming market reached a scale of 28.051 billion yuan in May 2025, showing a year-on-year growth of 9.86% and a month-on-month growth of 2.56% [3][21]. - The report highlights the emergence of new AI models and video generation technologies, indicating a shift towards dynamic content creation in the media industry [4][5]. Summary by Sections Market Overview - The media sector experienced a decline of 1.78% during the week of June 16-20, 2025, influenced by the overall market trend [11][12]. - The top five stocks in the media sector by growth during this period were Hualuo Baina (15.7%), Times Publishing (12.8%), Century Huachuang (11.7%), Ciweng Media (10.1%), and Giant Network (8.9%) [12][16]. Sub-sector Insights - Key focus areas include resource integration expectations with companies like Zhongshi Media and Guoxin Culture, AI applications with companies like Rongxin Culture and Aofei Entertainment, and gaming with companies like Shenzhou Taiyue and Kaixin Network [2][18]. - The report suggests monitoring state-owned enterprises in the media sector, such as Ciweng Media and Wuxin Media, due to increased capital advantages [2][18]. Key Events Review - The introduction of a new feature by WeChat allowing public accounts to link to WeChat stores enhances sales opportunities for merchants [20]. - The launch of the Kimi-Dev-72B open-source code model marks a significant advancement in AI software engineering capabilities [4]. Data Tracking - The gaming market's performance is tracked, with notable titles like "Kingshot" and "Genshin Impact" contributing to overseas sales growth [3][21]. - The box office for the week of June 14-20, 2025, reached approximately 302 million yuan, with "How to Train Your Dragon" leading the rankings [23].

Group 1: Global Esports Industry Development - The "2024 Global Esports Industry Development Report" indicates that Shanghai has become the most influential esports city globally in 2024, with China occupying four of the top ten cities in terms of esports influence [1] - Chinese users show a leading recognition and acceptance of the esports Olympics, which lays a foundation for the commercialization of potential international event IPs [1] - The report highlights a significant increase in female users in the esports sector, with the proportion of female viewers at offline events rising from 36% in 2020 to 71.8% in 2024 [1] Group 2: Game Development and Product Launches - Youzu Interactive has announced the upcoming "group hero test" for its major product "Youth Three Kingdoms 3" in early July, showcasing a rich product pipeline [2] - The launch of "Youth Three Kingdoms 3" reflects the company's innovative approach in game design, combining traditional aesthetics with new gameplay mechanics [2] - Tencent's "Star Resonance" is set for a non-deletion launch in July, enhancing the WeGame platform's content offerings and potentially increasing user engagement [3] Group 3: Market Dynamics and Future Outlook - The growth of female audiences in esports signals a diversification in user demographics, benefiting companies with offline operational capabilities [1] - The performance of new game tests will influence market perceptions of Youzu's development capabilities and the overall growth potential of the gaming sector [2] - The introduction of differentiated gameplay in new titles may lead to a reshaping of the value distribution within the gaming industry [3]