Core Points - Zhang Dong, a prominent figure in the Chinese gaming industry and former general manager of Giant Network, has resigned for personal reasons, effective immediately [2][5] - Following his resignation, Liu Wei, the current president of Giant Network, has been appointed as the new general manager [9][12] Company Overview - Zhang Dong held the position of general manager at Giant Network since 2024, with a reported annual salary of 3.37 million yuan, which was higher than that of the chairman [6][8] - Liu Wei has a long history with Giant Network, having served in various roles since 2006, including CEO and president [11][12] Financial Performance - Giant Network reported a significant increase in revenue for Q3, achieving 1.7 billion yuan, a year-on-year growth of 115.6%, and a net profit of 640 million yuan, up 81.2% [13][14] - The company's stock price has more than doubled this year, closing at 47.92 yuan per share, with a market capitalization of approximately 73.4 billion yuan [13][16] Product Development - The new game "Supernatural Action Team," launched in January, has been a key driver of revenue growth for the company [16]

Core Points - Zhang Dong, the general manager of Giant Network, has resigned for personal reasons, effective immediately upon submission of his resignation to the board [1][3] - Liu Wei has been appointed as the new general manager, with his term starting from the board's approval until the end of the sixth board's term [3][6] Summary by Sections Management Changes - Zhang Dong's resignation will not affect the company's normal operations, as his responsibilities have been handed over [3] - Liu Wei, who has a long history with Giant Network, returns to the role of general manager after previously serving in various capacities, including CEO [6] Compensation - In 2024, Zhang Dong's pre-tax compensation was reported at 3.37 million yuan, which is significantly higher than the 1.19 million yuan received by the chairman, Shi Yuzhu [4][5]

Core Points - Blizzard Entertainment is set to relaunch its major game product, StarCraft II, in the Chinese market, with a technical test starting on October 21 and a full return scheduled for October 28 [1] - The company has retained all account data from previous versions of StarCraft II, ensuring a seamless transition for players [1] - Blizzard is also focusing on building an esports ecosystem for the Chinese market, with plans to support community events and host a StarCraft II invitational tournament in Hangzhou in late November 2025 [1] Group 1 - Blizzard Entertainment's partnership with NetEase ended in January 2023, leading to the suspension of several games [2] - In April 2024, Blizzard announced that its games would return to the Chinese market under a new publishing agreement, including popular titles like World of Warcraft and Hearthstone [2] - The return of these games has faced initial challenges, such as server congestion due to high player demand, but issues have gradually improved over time [2] Group 2 - The relaunch of StarCraft II marks the completion of Blizzard's strategy to bring back all major game products to the Chinese market by 2024 [2] - Other titles, including Overwatch and Diablo III, have also successfully returned to the market this year [2]

Core Points - Blizzard announced the return of its popular game "StarCraft II" to the Chinese market on October 28, 2023, following the resolution of a contract dispute with NetEase, which led to the suspension of several Blizzard games in China earlier in the year [1][7]. Group 1: Game Return Details - "StarCraft II" will be available for pre-download starting October 19, with technical testing beginning on October 21, allowing players to access the game as early as that date [2]. - Players who previously purchased "StarCraft II" will not need to buy it again, and their account data will be preserved for seamless access upon the game's return [2]. - Players can recover their accounts through the "NetEase Da Shen app" or the Blizzard China website, requiring accurate registration information for successful recovery [2]. Group 2: Esports and Community Events - Alongside the game's return, various esports events will resume, including the "StarCraft II" Star Invitational on November 29-30 at the Hangzhou Esports Center, as well as community leagues and tournaments [4]. Group 3: Historical Context and Market Impact - Since the summer of 2022, five Blizzard games have returned to China, following a contract dispute with NetEase that led to the suspension of services for several titles [7]. - The acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft for $68.7 billion in October 2023 has led to a strategic shift in management, facilitating the resumption of operations in China [7]. - The return of "World of Warcraft" and other titles has seen significant player engagement, with "World of Warcraft" achieving a record of over 120,000 players on a single server [8]. Group 4: Future Prospects and Challenges - Despite the return of Blizzard games, the company faces challenges in regaining its former player base, as the gaming landscape has evolved significantly since its peak in 2009 [11]. - Analysts suggest that Blizzard's previous management decisions may have alienated loyal players, and the current market dynamics favor new entrants and mobile gaming experiences [11]. - The potential return of less popular titles like "Heroes of the Storm" and "Warcraft III: Reforged" is viewed skeptically due to their limited audience and past performance issues [10].