Core Insights - The development of "Squad Busters" will end, with the final update scheduled for December 2025, as the game did not meet Supercell's long-term quality standards despite initial success [2][4][5] - Supercell acknowledges the lessons learned from the failure of "Squad Busters" and emphasizes the importance of creating games that players can enjoy for years [3][5][16] - The decision to cease development was made after months of reflection, as the game failed to maintain its player base and did not evolve into a global phenomenon [3][10][23] Summary by Sections Game Launch and Initial Reception - "Squad Busters" launched in May 2024 and initially attracted millions of players, leading to optimism about its potential success [1][9] - The game received positive feedback at launch, which led Supercell to believe it could become a major hit alongside their other successful titles [2][9] Development Challenges - Despite efforts to address core issues, including the introduction of a new "Heroes" system, the game could not find a lasting solution to its problems [3][10] - By early 2025, Supercell faced a critical decision point regarding the game's future, ultimately opting for a bold creative change that did not yield the desired results [3][10] Conclusion of Development - The decision to end active development was described as extremely difficult, with a final update planned for December 2025, after which the game will remain available for a limited time before being closed in 2026 [4][5][20] - Supercell aims to redirect the talented team behind "Squad Busters" to new projects and existing successful games to enhance player experiences [6][11] Player Transition and Rewards - In-app purchases were disabled on October 30, 2025, and players can transfer their purchases to other Supercell games starting November 10, 2025 [6][12] - As a gesture of appreciation, players will receive free bundles in other Supercell games based on their playtime in "Squad Busters" [7][14] Industry Context - The announcement of "Squad Busters" ending its operations marks a significant moment for Supercell, which has historically maintained a 100% success rate for new game launches prior to this title [22][23] - Despite the setback, Supercell continues to see success with its established titles, indicating resilience in its long-term game development strategy [29][30]

Summary of Evergreen Games Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference focuses on the evergreen games sector, highlighting the potential for significant revenue growth through effective operations, as demonstrated by Tencent's Supercell game "Clash Royale," which achieved $140 million in revenue in Q2 2025, a 90% quarter-over-quarter increase and over 40% year-over-year growth [2][3] - Companies with evergreen game potential typically possess high Daily Active Users (DAU) and social gameplay attributes, or own classic native IPs that can be continuously iterated and updated, particularly in SLG (Simulation and Strategy Games) and MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) genres, which have high player sunk costs and stronger user retention [2][5] Key Insights and Arguments - Evergreen game companies generally have valuations above the industry average, with companies like Nintendo, Take-Two, and Nexon showing strong forward Price-to-Earnings (PE) ratios, indicating high market expectations for future earnings [2][6] - As of early 2025, Nintendo's forward PE was 36, TikTok's was 27, and Nexon's was 26, averaging 26, which is higher than the average valuation of the A-share and Hong Kong game sectors, which is below 20 [7] - The operational methodology for evergreen games includes simple content updates, seasonal updates, and continuous iteration of core gameplay and monetization strategies, creating a platform that encourages ongoing player engagement and spending [9][10] Company-Specific Strategies - Tencent's strategy for 2025 emphasizes the operation of headlining games while adjusting its organizational structure to enhance producer incentives, focusing on long-term development and middle-tier games like "Crossfire" and "League of Legends" [4][11] - Nintendo aims to maintain user engagement by expanding gameplay on its platforms, creating "infinite" products that encourage continuous player interaction and consumption [12][13] - Tencent's overseas game revenue accounts for approximately 30%, with Supercell, Riot Games, and Miniclip being significant contributors [14] Potential Companies for Evergreen Games - Companies with successful evergreen game potential typically have large DAU advantages and social gameplay attributes, such as Tencent and Giant Network's new title "Supernatural Action Team" [5] - Companies with classic native IPs that can be continuously updated, like Nintendo with its Mario and Pokémon franchises, and Nexon with its Dungeon Fighter Online (DNF) IP, also show strong potential [5][29] - SLG and MMO games are identified as having longer lifecycle potential due to their inherent player engagement characteristics [30] Valuation Insights - Evergreen game companies are generally valued significantly higher than the industry average, with stable and continuous revenue growth being a key factor supporting these high valuations [6] - The report highlights the importance of maintaining a balance between hardware and software revenue, with Nintendo's software revenue becoming a more significant contributor as hardware sales plateaued [18][19] Conclusion - The evergreen games sector is characterized by companies that can maintain player engagement through continuous updates and strong IPs, leading to sustained revenue growth and higher valuations compared to the broader gaming industry. The strategies employed by leading companies like Tencent and Nintendo serve as benchmarks for success in this evolving market.

Group 1 - The 22nd China International Digital Interactive Entertainment Expo (ChinaJoy) officially opened on August 1 in Shanghai, with Tencent Games showcasing 17 products, occupying nearly half of the N4 hall [1] - Tencent Games' theme for this year's event is "COOL Goose Summer Camp," which aims to enhance product experience and booth services, featuring over ten gameplay categories and popular new releases such as "Runeterra: League of Legends Card Battle" and "Dance Dance Revolution: Party" [1] - The event includes immersive trial experiences and interactive activities like esports competitions and challenge games, providing a comprehensive exhibition service for attendees [1] Group 2 - The "COOL Goose Summer Camp" consists of a central square, a comprehensive exhibition area, and three independent exhibition zones, highlighted by a 40-meter "Goose MAX" screen that connects various experiences [2] - Attendees can engage in "cyber interaction" by projecting hand-drawn images and real-time comments onto the "Goose MAX" screen, with live leaderboards for competitive events displayed [2] - The central square features a green camp design with multiple interactive areas, allowing players to participate in fun activities and earn rewards, such as reciting a poem to use a loudspeaker or generating AI-customized memorabilia [2] Group 3 - The central square is flanked by a comprehensive exhibition area and three independent booths, showcasing 17 game products with diverse interactive experiences [3] - The comprehensive exhibition area features 11 products, including popular titles like "Honor of Kings" and games from Supercell, covering various genres such as strategy and simulation [3] - Independent booths include major titles from the Dungeon Fighter IP and new releases like "Valorant" and "Runeterra," offering extensive trial activities and a unique exhibition experience for players [3]