Core Insights - Sony's PlayStation games have generated over $1.5 billion in total revenue on the Steam platform, with a net income of approximately $1.2 billion after Valve's share [1] - The revenue primarily comes from classic titles that were released years ago, indicating a reliance on older games for income [3] Group 1: Revenue and Sales Performance - PlayStation has achieved cumulative sales of 43 million copies on Steam, with "The Last of Us Part II" being the best-selling title at over 12.7 million copies [3] - Other top-selling titles include "Horizon Zero Dawn," "God of War," "Days Gone," and the remastered versions of "Marvel's Spider-Man," all of which are older games [3] Group 2: Market Trends and Challenges - Recent releases such as "Horizon Forbidden West," "God of War: Ragnarök," and "Marvel's Spider-Man 2" have seen significant declines in sales compared to their predecessors, suggesting a decrease in freshness for PlayStation games on PC [3] - Sony's previous strategy of developing PC ports as a controlled-cost investment source is now facing challenges, as relying solely on classic game ports may not sustain ongoing revenue from the PC platform [5]

Group 1 - Sony's PlayStation games are thriving on the Steam platform, generating a total revenue of $1.5 billion (approximately 106.69 billion RMB) [1][3] - After deductions from revenue sharing with Valve Corporation (20%-30%), Sony's net revenue amounts to $1.2 billion (approximately 85.35 billion RMB), while Valve receives $350 million (approximately 24.89 billion RMB) [3] - A total of 43 million PlayStation games have been sold on Steam, with the highest-selling title being "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds 2," which sold 12.7 million copies, making it Sony's most profitable PC game with $400 million (approximately 28.45 billion RMB) in revenue [3][5] Group 2 - The second best-selling game is "Horizon Zero Dawn," with 4.5 million copies sold, followed by "God of War," "Days Gone," and "Spider-Man: Remastered" [5] - Despite the strong revenue growth, PC players still prefer multiplayer online service games, indicating that single-player PS games have not performed as well on PC [5] - Sony is considering whether to release more single-player titles on Steam, showing a more open attitude towards multiplayer games, and there are rumors about a potential cross-platform purchase mechanism for PS5 and PC, which could lead to the development of a PlayStation Windows client to bypass Valve's revenue cut [5]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of game operation in the current era of stagnant growth in the gaming industry, highlighting that effective player management and engagement are crucial for retaining users and extending the lifecycle of games [8][16][54]. Group 1: Game Operation Challenges - The gaming industry is transitioning into a phase where retaining existing users is more critical than acquiring new ones, as evidenced by a mere 0.94% growth in China's gaming user base in 2024 [15][16]. - The operational strategies of game companies must adapt to the new reality of stagnant user growth, necessitating a focus on player retention and satisfaction [16][54]. - A significant operational incident in the game "绝地潜兵2" illustrates how poor management can lead to player dissatisfaction, despite initial successes [5][7]. Group 2: Player Engagement Strategies - Effective player operation involves understanding user behavior and proactively addressing potential churn risks, with companies employing data-driven strategies to monitor player engagement [27][30]. - Companies are increasingly using personalized communication and incentives to keep players engaged, such as sending tailored messages or rewards to those showing signs of disengagement [28][30]. - The concept of "超预期服务" (exceeding expectations) is highlighted, where companies go beyond standard service to create emotional connections with players, thereby enhancing loyalty [42][45]. Group 3: Historical Context and Evolution - The evolution of game operation practices over the past two decades reflects a shift from basic customer service to sophisticated user lifecycle management, driven by technological advancements and market competition [46][50]. - The rising costs of acquiring new players have made it imperative for companies to invest in retaining existing users, as the cost of acquiring a light user has increased to 35-40 yuan by 2024 [53][54]. - Historical insights reveal that early game companies did not prioritize extensive user engagement, but the current landscape demands a more nuanced approach to player relationships [56][58].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of game operation in the current market, highlighting that success or failure often hinges on effective player engagement and retention strategies in a saturated gaming environment [6][18][56]. Group 1: Game Operation and Player Engagement - The recent incident in "Battlefield 2" illustrates how crucial game operation is, as player dissatisfaction arose from perceived operational flaws despite the game's initial success [3][5]. - Tencent's strategic officer noted that stagnation in a game often points to issues within the operational team rather than the game itself, stressing the need for the right personnel to manage player engagement [15]. - The gaming industry is transitioning from a phase of rapid growth to one focused on retaining existing players, making player operation more critical than ever [17][18][19]. Group 2: Challenges in Player Retention - In 2024, China's gaming user growth was only 0.94%, indicating a shift towards a more competitive landscape where retaining existing players is paramount [17]. - Companies are now tasked with keeping older games engaging for long-term players, which presents unprecedented challenges for player operation roles [19][30]. - Effective player operation involves monitoring user behavior and intervening before players decide to leave, utilizing data-driven strategies to enhance user experience [28][30]. Group 3: Evolution of Game Operation - The evolution of player operation has been significant, moving from basic customer service to a comprehensive lifecycle management approach that addresses user needs at every stage [49][52]. - The cost of acquiring new players has increased dramatically, necessitating a focus on retaining existing users to justify the investment made in acquiring them [55][56]. - Companies are learning from successful long-standing games, implementing strategies to extend their lifecycle and maintain player interest [57][58]. Group 4: The Role of Player Operation Teams - Player operation teams are now expected to provide "exceeding expectations" services, creating emotional connections with players to enhance retention [43][48]. - Successful player operation involves not just addressing complaints but also proactively engaging with players through personalized interactions and community-building activities [43][44][67]. - The emotional aspect of player operation is highlighted, as operators often form bonds with players, which can lead to increased loyalty and reduced churn [66][72].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the critical importance of game operation in the current market, highlighting that success or failure often hinges on effective player engagement and retention strategies [5][7][9]. Group 1: Game Operation Importance - Game operation has become increasingly vital as the gaming industry transitions into a phase of stagnant user growth, with only a 0.94% increase in China's gaming user base in 2024 [8]. - The era of coarse growth in the gaming industry has ended, necessitating a focus on retaining existing users rather than acquiring new ones [9]. - Effective game operation can lead to significant player retention, as evidenced by the resurgence of player numbers in games like "绝地潜兵2" through strategic operational efforts [4][5]. Group 2: Player Engagement Strategies - Companies are now employing detailed player operation strategies, including personalized communication and proactive engagement to prevent player churn [14][15]. - The use of data analytics allows companies to identify at-risk players and intervene before they decide to leave, with some companies reporting a 70% chance of player loss if no action is taken [15][29]. - The concept of "全用户全生命周期服务" (full user lifecycle service) is being adopted, indicating that engagement starts from the moment a player shows interest in a game [15][28]. Group 3: Challenges in Player Operation - The operational teams face immense pressure to manage player expectations and emotions, often acting as a buffer between the players and the game developers [19][20]. - High turnover rates and the emotional toll of dealing with frustrated players are common challenges faced by game operation staff [20][21]. - Companies are implementing measures to support the mental health of their operational teams, recognizing the need for emotional resilience in high-stress environments [21][23]. Group 4: Historical Context and Evolution - The evolution of game operation practices has been significant over the past two decades, transitioning from basic customer service to sophisticated user engagement strategies [27][29]. - The gaming industry has shifted from a focus on acquiring new players to extending the lifecycle of existing games, driven by increased competition and rising user acquisition costs [29][30]. - Historical practices in player engagement, such as community events and personalized interactions, are being revisited and enhanced with modern technology [30][31].