Core Viewpoint - The gaming industry is witnessing a significant shift towards "light entertainment," with mini-games rapidly gaining popularity due to their convenience, low entry barriers, instant gratification, and social attributes [3][4][18]. Market Growth - The mini-game market size was 27.5 billion yuan in 2021, projected to reach 200 billion yuan in 2023 and 398.36 billion yuan in 2024, with expectations to exceed 600 billion yuan by 2025 [3][15]. - Industry insiders predict that the mini-game market will surpass 1 trillion yuan within the next three years [3]. Game Development Trends - Game developers are increasingly focusing on lightweight gameplay to cater to "light players," who prefer quick and easy gaming experiences over traditional heavy games [4][5][12]. - The summer gaming season is crucial for developers, with many new titles emphasizing strong narratives and moderate social interaction to retain players [3][4]. Popular Titles and Innovations - Recent popular mini-games include titles like "Silver Crow Dream" and "Delta Action," which have gained traction in the App Store rankings [5][9]. - Innovative mini-games such as "Endless Winter" have successfully combined light gameplay with engaging mechanics, maintaining a strong presence in the market [15][17]. User Engagement and Behavior - Mini-games have over 500 million monthly active users on WeChat, with users playing an average of six games simultaneously and spending 10% more time online compared to the previous year [13][15]. - The appeal of mini-games lies in their ability to provide instant feedback, a sense of control, and social interaction, fulfilling various psychological needs [17][18]. Future Outlook - The rise of the "light player" demographic indicates a shift in the gaming industry towards more diverse and fragmented user groups, emphasizing the need for developers to adapt to changing player behaviors and preferences [18].

Core Viewpoint - The report evaluates the accessibility and efficiency of customer service for minors in gaming, focusing on the ability to resolve issues such as refunds and recharge disputes, reflecting the commitment of game companies to protect minors' rights [1][2]. Group 1: Customer Service Accessibility - Customer service is a direct communication channel between game companies and minor users or their guardians, with the introduction of smart customer service to reduce costs [2][5]. - In the evaluation of 20 games, 19 provided easy access to customer service within five steps, allowing direct communication or redirection to external platforms [3][8]. - An example of a game needing improvement is "Cloud Under," where customer service is locked behind certain game progress, creating a gap between recharge and customer service access [3][11]. Group 2: Refund Process and Legal Support - The legal framework supports minors in requesting refunds for unauthorized charges, with specific provisions for those under eight years old and those over eight if the charges are disproportionate to their age and consent is not obtained [6][8]. - In the current evaluation, 15 out of 20 games improved their refund processes, allowing users to provide transaction details for refunds directly within the platform [8][11]. - Notably, some games still require external channels for refund requests, although this has decreased from nine games last year to two this year [11]. Group 3: Challenges in Customer Service Interaction - Some games require users to input specific phrases or reach a certain dialogue threshold to connect with human customer service, creating barriers for minors seeking assistance [12][16]. - An example is "Sword and Expedition," where users faced delays and difficulties in reaching human support, highlighting the need for more straightforward access to customer service [12][16].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the implementation and effectiveness of anti-addiction mechanisms in mobile games for minors, highlighting the compliance of major game developers with regulations aimed at protecting young players from excessive gaming and inappropriate content. Group 1: Time Restrictions - All 20 evaluated mobile games have implemented time restrictions as mandated by the regulations, allowing minors to play only on weekends and holidays for a limited time [3] - Upon entering minor identity information, users receive pop-up notifications indicating the restricted playtime, and non-compliance results in forced log-off or inability to log in [3] Group 2: Recharge Limitations - The regulations specify that minors under 8 years old cannot make in-game purchases, while those aged 8 to under 16 are limited to a maximum of 50 RMB per transaction and 200 RMB per month; for those aged 16 to under 18, the limits are 100 RMB per transaction and 400 RMB per month [2] - All evaluated games strictly enforce these recharge limits, with some games only displaying restrictions at the payment interface, which may inadvertently encourage spending [5][6] Group 3: Content Filtering - The evaluation indicates that 7 games have implemented content filtering mechanisms to protect minors from inappropriate content, with improvements noted from previous assessments [12] - Major developers like Tencent and NetEase have established youth modes that restrict access to certain content based on age, demonstrating progress in content protection measures [12][13] Group 4: Parental Monitoring - Companies like Tencent, NetEase, and miHoYo have introduced external platforms for parents to monitor their children's gaming activities, including time and spending management [13] - These platforms allow parents to set custom restrictions and request refunds for unauthorized charges, enhancing parental control over minors' gaming experiences [13]