Game Releases - NetEase's "Marvel Secret War" began its Android paid test on September 15, focusing on team-building strategy and character development in a card RPG format, featuring Marvel superheroes like Doctor Strange and Iron Man [1] - ByteDance's "Shadow Hunter" launched its first domestic test on September 16, achieving over 180,000 concurrent players within 90 minutes and climbing to 7th place on Steam's global sales chart [3] - miHoYo's "Honkai: Origin Spirits" started its first closed test on September 17, combining sprite collection with auto-chess combat mechanics [6] - "Dungeon Castle 4: Knights and the Broken Chronicle" was officially released on September 17, continuing the dark dungeon adventure RPG series with 3D graphics and strategic gameplay [8] - Tencent's "The Finals" (translated as "Ultimate Contest") began its second limited test on September 19, developed by members of Embark Studios, featuring a PVP shooting game set in famous global cities [10] Industry News - Tencent's "Delta Force" celebrated its first anniversary on September 21, reporting a daily active user (DAU) count of 30 million, up from 12 million in April and 20 million in July [11] - McDonald's announced a collaboration with "Black Myth: Wukong" on September 19, launching limited-time meal sets and promotional items for the Mid-Autumn Festival [14] - "Love and Producer" revealed a new voice actor for the character Li Zeyan on September 20, following the departure of the previous actor [16] - Zulong Technology was ordered to pay 150,000 yuan for trademark infringement and unfair competition against Suzhou Die Paper Network Technology, due to improper use of registered trademarks in advertising [20] - miHoYo established two new companies in Shanghai, focusing on software development and AI applications, with a registered capital of 10 million yuan each [21]

Core Insights - The "search, fight, and retreat" (搜打撤) genre has gained significant traction, with major companies like Sony, Supercell, and Tencent actively participating in this space [1][3] - Tencent is currently the leader in the domestic "search, fight, and retreat" market, with games like "Dark Zone Breakout" and "Delta Action" solidifying its position [3][6] - The gameplay mechanics of "search, fight, and retreat" present inherent contradictions, making it challenging to balance tactical execution with fast-paced action [5][6] Tencent's Dominance - Tencent's "Delta Action" achieved an average daily active user (DAU) of 20 million in July, ranking among the top five in the industry [3] - "Dark Zone Breakout" was launched in 2022, focusing on a realistic approach that creates a "high-risk, high-reward" psychological experience [7] - The company has expanded its offerings, including the recent launch of "Dark Zone Breakout: Infinite" for PC, which has maintained a top 10 position in internet café rankings [9] Market Dynamics - Despite Tencent's stronghold, other companies like NetEase are also entering the "search, fight, and retreat" arena with unique approaches, such as the "Desert Gold" mode in "Naraka: Bladepoint" [15][19] - New entrants like "No Master Star Abyss," developed by former Blizzard CEO Mike Morhaime, are exploring innovative gameplay mechanics that combine cooperative and competitive elements [17][20] - The genre is evolving, with various companies experimenting with different gameplay styles and mechanics, indicating a competitive landscape that is not solely dominated by Tencent [26][27] Future Outlook - The "search, fight, and retreat" genre is characterized by its appeal to players' sense of risk and reward, creating a gambling-like experience that is distinct from traditional competitive shooting games [27] - The ongoing development of diverse gameplay experiences suggests that the future of this genre will not be monopolized by a single product but will instead cater to a variety of player preferences [26][27]

Core Insights - ByteDance's gaming division is planning to go public, with 40 launched games and nearly 30 in development, covering various genres including card games, strategy, shooting, and ARPG [1] Game Development Overview - The gaming division has a diverse portfolio with 40 launched titles and around 30 in development, including genres like card games, strategy, shooting, and ARPG [1] - The development teams are spread across various locations, including Beijing, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou, focusing on different game types [2][5] Specific Game Projects - A notable project is a girl-themed card strategy game developed by Beijing's Blue Sea studio, which may incorporate elements from Japanese flower card games [3] - Shooting games are being developed across multiple studios, with a focus on different gameplay styles, including a sci-fi survival shooter led by a former producer of "Counter-Strike" [5][7] - The ARPG "Shadow Hunter" is set for a 2025 release, with significant player engagement during beta testing [7][9] IP and Market Strategy - ByteDance is actively managing its IPs, with plans for sequels to existing games like "Crystal Core" and "Idle Girl" [14] - The company is also exploring new genres, including UGC and simulation games, with projects like "Berry Town" and a fairy-tale style life simulation game [12][13]