Core Insights - The article discusses how mobile game developers are increasingly directing players to external payment options to avoid Apple's 30% commission, referred to as the "Apple tax" [1][3][12] - A study by Liquid & Grit analyzed over 30 cases of leading mobile game companies like Supercell and Niantic, focusing on their strategies to sell in-app purchases (IAP) directly to players outside of the App Store [1][3] Group 1: Strategies for Redirecting Players - Liquid & Grit categorized the new store designs into four main types: offering web store discounts in the native IAP store, pop-ups, buttons on the main game interface, and using in-game news and email systems for guidance [1][3] - "Social Casino" games are the most proactive in redirecting players to web stores, utilizing all four methods, while other game categories show varied adoption [3][5] - Specific games like "Dragon City" and "PUBG Mobile" employ different strategies, such as banners and pop-ups, to encourage players to use web stores for purchases [5][7] Group 2: Incentives and Challenges - To enhance conversion rates, developers must reduce payment friction and increase player motivation to choose external payment options over Apple’s [11][12] - Companies like Epic Games offer incentives, such as a 20% cash back, to encourage players to opt for web payments [11] - The report suggests that the most effective design so far is the "purchase pop-up," which allows players to complete transactions without leaving the game, thus maintaining a seamless experience [11][12] Group 3: Alternative Payment Solutions - Companies with in-house resources are encouraged to build their own web stores and utilize payment processors like Stripe or Adyen to handle transactions [12] - For developers who prefer not to create their own stores, managed web store service providers like Xsolla and Stash are available, offering a quicker setup at a cost lower than Apple's commission [12]

Core Insights - The article highlights the significant advancements in AI technology within the gaming industry, particularly showcased at the recent Devcom developer conference alongside the Cologne International Game Show. Major companies like Microsoft, Tencent, Google, and Meta presented over 20 discussions focused on how AI can enhance game art production efficiency and integrate seamlessly with traditional workflows [1][3]. Group 1: AI Tools and Solutions - Tencent Games launched its AI-driven comprehensive game creation solution, VISVISE, which includes tools for animation production, model creation, digital asset management, and intelligent NPCs, aimed at alleviating the repetitive and labor-intensive tasks in game art development [3][8]. - The MotionBlink tool within VISVISE can automatically complete animation sequences based on minimal user input, significantly reducing the time required for animation production from several days to just seconds [3][15]. - The GoSkinning tool, part of VISVISE, automates the skinning process for 3D models, improving efficiency by up to 60% in animation skinning tasks, and has been successfully implemented in popular games like "PUBG Mobile" and "Peacekeeper Elite" [8][24]. Group 2: Challenges in Game Art Production - Traditional game art production consumes 50%-60% of time on asset creation, with 3D modeling and animation being the most labor-intensive processes. The complexity of these tasks often leads to inefficiencies, particularly in skinning and animation adjustments [9][10]. - The article discusses the limitations of traditional methods such as manual keyframing and motion capture, which can be time-consuming and require extensive corrections, highlighting the need for AI solutions to streamline these processes [10][11]. Group 3: Development and Future of AI in Gaming - Tencent's approach to developing VISVISE was driven by actual development needs, beginning its exploration of AI in gaming as early as 2016. The system was officially launched in 2024, integrating various AI tools tailored to different aspects of game creation [24][26]. - The future of AI in gaming is seen as a critical area for development, with the potential for AI to enhance NPC interactions and create more immersive gaming experiences. The relationship between gaming and AI is described as symbiotic, with games serving as both a testing ground and a catalyst for AI advancements [29][30][32].

Core Viewpoint - Tencent's Q2 2025 financial performance shows strong growth across multiple business segments, driven by gaming, advertising, and AI strategies, leading to a significant increase in revenue and profit margins [4][6]. Financial Performance - Q2 revenue reached 184.5 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 15% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 2% [6]. - Non-IFRS operating profit was 69.25 billion yuan, up 18% year-on-year [6]. - Non-IFRS net profit stood at 63 billion yuan, reflecting a 10% year-on-year growth [6]. - Gross margin improved to 57%, an increase of 4 percentage points, benefiting from high-margin business optimization [6]. - Free cash flow amounted to 43 billion yuan, with capital expenditures of 19.1 billion yuan [6]. Business Highlights and Strategic Directions 1. **Gaming Business Recovery** - Domestic market: "Delta Action" achieved over 20 million daily active users, contributing to top revenue [7]. - International market: "PUBG Mobile" reached a record high monthly revenue, while "Clash Royale" saw a seven-year revenue peak with a fixed exchange rate growth of 33% [7]. 2. **Advertising Business Driven by AI** - Video account advertising surged by 50%, with AI optimization increasing click-through rates (CTR) to 3% [8]. - WeChat search revenue grew by 60%, aided by large model optimization for product intent understanding [8]. 3. **Steady Growth in Financial Technology and Enterprise Services** - Growth in enterprise services accelerated due to GPU leasing and API calls, with Tencent Cloud being recognized as a global leader in CPaaS for three consecutive years by Gartner [9]. 4. **Accelerated Investment in AI Strategy** - R&D expenses reached 20.25 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 17%, with the "Hunyuan" large model ranking first in 3D generation capabilities on HuggingFace [10]. - Capital expenditures are projected to be between 80 to 100 billion yuan in 2025, accounting for 10% to 15% of revenue [10]. 5. **WeChat Ecosystem AI Upgrade** - Monthly active users reached 1.411 billion, a year-on-year increase of 3%, with new AI customer service and video account interpretation features [11]. Management Key Statements - CEO Ma Huateng emphasized the core focus on the "Hunyuan" large model and AI applications, with ongoing investments planned [12]. - President Liu Chiping highlighted prioritizing high-return areas for AI investments, noting that some GPU leasing has already contributed to revenue [12]. - CFO Luo Shuhan discussed cost control measures, stating that free cash flow covers capital expenditures [12].

Core Insights - Tencent's gaming business has shown strong performance with double-digit growth in revenue and non-IFRS operating profit due to continuous investment in AI technology [2][3] - Domestic gaming revenue increased by 17% year-on-year, driven by the success of games like "Delta Action" and evergreen titles such as "Honor of Kings" and "Peacekeeper Elite" [3] - International gaming revenue grew by 35% year-on-year (33% at constant exchange rates), primarily fueled by games from Supercell, "PUBG Mobile," and "Dune: Awakening" [7] Group 1: Game Performance - "Honor of Kings" and "Peacekeeper Elite" are evolving into platform-type products, with increased user engagement and revenue [2] - New game "Delta Action" has performed strongly since its launch, contributing to the overall growth of the gaming segment [3][12] - The total revenue from mini-games increased by 20% year-on-year, aided by upgrades to technical infrastructure and game engine compatibility [7] Group 2: AI Integration - AI is a key driver for growth in game content, player engagement, and monetization, with applications in content production and marketing strategies [8] - The use of AI tools has enhanced the speed and scale of game content production, allowing for more human-like virtual teammates and realistic non-player characters [8] Group 3: Market Trends - The Chinese audience for AAA games is growing, although the market for paid games remains niche compared to free-to-play models [13] - AAA games and ongoing service games are seen as complementary rather than competitive, with players likely to engage with both types [14] - The FPS genre is experiencing significant growth in China, with new titles like "Rainbow Six" and mobile versions of existing games planned for release [16] Group 4: Future Strategies - Tencent plans to continue expanding its portfolio with a focus on content-driven games, which have shown strong performance in both domestic and international markets [16] - The company aims to leverage its experience in FPS games while also exploring new genres to diversify its offerings [17][18]

Core Insights - The Chinese gaming industry is experiencing a resurgence in overseas revenue, with a reported actual sales income of $1.577 billion in May 2023, marking a year-on-year growth of 6.93% [1] - Following two years of decline, the overseas revenue from self-developed Chinese games is expected to continue its growth trajectory into 2025, indicating a robust trend in the gaming "going global" strategy [1] Group 1: Industry Trends - The gaming "going global" strategy is accelerating, with related industries rapidly positioning themselves to capitalize on this trend [1] - The overseas gaming services revenue for Huya has seen exponential growth in Q1 2025, suggesting it could become a significant growth engine for the company [1] Group 2: Huya's Strategy - Huya is focusing on meeting core user needs as a key to commercial monetization, leveraging its capabilities in game live streaming, international mobile application services, and comprehensive user service offerings [2] - The company plans to enhance user community operations, KOL content marketing, channel distribution, and in-game item sales as part of its overseas game publishing services [2] Group 3: Operational Capabilities - Huya's overseas publishing capabilities differ from traditional third-party resource reliance, as it utilizes a self-operated model to cover all aspects of content ecology, user ecology, marketing, distribution, and monetization [3] - The company has built a substantial overseas product matrix with over 10 million loyal users and more than 10,000 signed streamers, indicating a strong market presence [3] - Huya's collaboration with games like PUBG Mobile has demonstrated significant promotional efficiency, enhancing user acquisition through tailored paid activities and user engagement strategies [3]

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese gaming market continues to show strong growth, driven by new product launches and a shift from long-term product commercialization to new product contributions [3][4]. Domestic Market - In May 2025, the actual sales revenue of the Chinese gaming market reached 28.051 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.86% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 2.56%. This growth rate has slowed compared to previous months but remains robust [3]. - The mobile gaming market in May 2025 generated actual sales revenue of 21.177 billion yuan, with a year-on-year growth of 11.96%. Key new releases have started to emerge, with several games achieving monthly revenues exceeding 10 million yuan [4]. - The client game market saw actual sales revenue of 5.819 billion yuan in May 2025, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 1.58%. The growth was primarily driven by new and recently launched products [5]. - The upcoming summer season is expected to see a significant increase in new game launches, with over 30 titles planned, covering various genres [6]. Overseas Market - In May 2025, the actual sales revenue of China's self-developed games in overseas markets reached 1.577 billion USD, marking a year-on-year increase of 6.93% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 1.50% [8]. - Strategy games (SLG) remain the core category driving overseas revenue, with product structures continuously optimizing. Notably, the game "Kingshot" saw its revenue double compared to the previous month [8]. - New genres, including female-oriented and synthesis games, are emerging in the overseas market, contributing to revenue growth and diversification [8].

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Outperform the Market" rating for the media industry [5][40]. Core Views - The media sector has shown a positive performance with a 1.73% increase, outperforming both the CSI 300 (-1.08%) and the ChiNext Index (-1.40%) during the week of May 24 to May 30 [12][14]. - Key developments include the formalization of the "Stablecoin Ordinance" in Hong Kong and the release of DeepSeek-R1-0528, which has significantly improved in code generation speed and inference accuracy [2][17][18]. - The report emphasizes a short-term upward trend in performance and a long-term positive outlook on AI applications and IP-driven products [4][36]. Summary by Sections Industry Performance - The media industry rose by 1.73%, ranking 5th among all sectors in terms of performance [12][14]. - Notable gainers included Yuanlong Yatu, Times Publishing, Youzu Network, and ST Fanli, while Kunlun Wanwei, Shengtong Shares, Yinsai Group, and Meiri Interactive faced declines [12][13]. Key Developments - The "Stablecoin Ordinance" in Hong Kong aims to promote financial innovation while maintaining stability in the financial sector [17]. - DeepSeek-R1-0528 has been released and open-sourced, showing performance comparable to leading models like OpenAI's o3 [18]. - Perplexity AI launched Perplexity Labs, which can complete complex tasks in about 10 minutes, enhancing productivity for knowledge workers [2][18]. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on gaming, advertising media, and film sectors, with specific stock recommendations including Kaiying Network, Giant Network, and Yaoji Technology [4][36]. - The report highlights the potential for growth in AI applications and IP-driven products, recommending companies like Pop Mart and Zhejiang Wenlian [4][36]. Company Earnings Forecasts - Key companies such as Kaiying Network, Fenzhong Media, and Mango Super Media are rated as "Outperform the Market" with projected earnings per share (EPS) growth for 2025 and 2026 [5][38].

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Outperform the Market" rating for the media industry [5][40]. Core Views - The media sector has shown a positive performance with a 1.73% increase, outperforming both the CSI 300 (-1.08%) and the ChiNext Index (-1.40%) during the week of May 24 to May 30 [12][14]. - Key developments include the formalization of the "Stablecoin Ordinance" in Hong Kong and the release of DeepSeek-R1-0528, which has significantly improved code generation speed and inference accuracy [2][17][18]. - The report emphasizes a short-term upward trend in performance and a long-term positive outlook on AI applications and IP-driven products [4][36]. Summary by Sections Industry Performance - The media industry rose by 1.73%, ranking 5th among all sectors in terms of performance [12][14]. - Notable gainers included Yuanlong Yatu, Times Publishing, and Youzu Network, while Kunlun Wanwei and Shengtong Co. saw declines [12][13]. Key Developments - The "Stablecoin Ordinance" in Hong Kong aims to promote financial innovation while maintaining stability [17]. - DeepSeek-R1-0528 has been released and open-sourced, showing competitive performance with leading models [18]. - Perplexity AI launched Perplexity Labs, enhancing AI-driven solutions for complex tasks [2][18]. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on gaming, advertising media, and film sectors, with specific stock recommendations including Kaiying Network, Giant Network, and Yaoji Technology [4][36]. - The report highlights the potential for growth in AI applications and IP-driven products, recommending companies like Pop Mart and Zhejiang Wenlian [4][36]. Company Earnings Forecasts - Key companies such as Kaiying Network, Fenzhong Media, and Mango Super Media are rated as "Outperform the Market" with projected earnings per share (EPS) growth [5][38].

Group 1 - Tencent's Q1 2025 total revenue reached RMB 1800.22 billion, a year-on-year increase of 13%, with adjusted net profit at RMB 693.20 billion, up 18%. Game revenue was RMB 595 billion, reflecting a 24% year-on-year growth [1] - The gaming industry is expected to see a fundamental improvement driven by AI technology, with a notable increase in the diversity of content and technological innovations in the animation sector [2] - The gaming industry is experiencing a bottoming out trend, with a significant increase in revenue and net profit expected in Q1 2025, showing a year-on-year growth of 21.93% and 47.08% respectively [2] Group 2 - The gaming ETF (516010) tracks the animation and gaming index (code: 930901), which reflects the overall performance of listed companies in the domestic animation and gaming industry [3] - The index is concentrated in the media and entertainment sector, with a growth-oriented style, providing a comprehensive view of the market performance of related listed companies [3] - The application of AI in the media and gaming industry is advancing, with companies like ByteDance and Tencent making significant technological strides [2]

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Outperform" rating for the media and internet sector [5]. Core Views - The report highlights the rapid advancements in AI applications and the significant growth in the millet trading volume, with a 105% year-on-year increase in 2024 [2][4]. - The first quarter of 2025 saw record-high millet trading volumes, indicating a strong upward trend in the IP millet industry [2][4]. - The report emphasizes the importance of performance in the gaming sector and the recovery of the domestic film industry, recommending specific companies for investment [4][41]. Summary by Sections Industry Performance - The media sector experienced a slight increase of 0.14% during the week of April 19-25, underperforming compared to the CSI 300 index (0.38%) and the ChiNext index (1.74%) [12][19]. - Notable gainers included companies like Shengyi Technology and Happiness Blue Sea, while major decliners included Rebate Technology and Mango Super Media [12][19]. Key Developments - Manus AI, a general-purpose AI entity, successfully raised $75 million, quadrupling its valuation to nearly $500 million [2][16]. - Baidu launched its new Wenxin large model series, significantly improving processing speed and reducing costs by 80% [2][17]. - ByteDance's AI application platform "Kouzi Space" began internal testing, enhancing collaborative office capabilities [2][18]. - The "2025 Xianyu Millet Trend Report" indicated a substantial increase in domestic millet consumption, surpassing Japanese millet [2][18]. Important Data Tracking - The box office for the week of April 20-27 reached 191 million yuan, with "Nezha: The Devil's Child" leading at 51 million yuan [19][21]. - The gaming sector's top revenue generators in March 2025 were "Whiteout Survival," "PUBG Mobile," and "Gossip Harbor: Merge & Story" [28][29]. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on AI applications and IP trends, with specific recommendations for companies like Bubble Mart and others in the industry chain [4][41][42]. - It also highlights the gaming sector's recovery and recommends companies such as Kaiying Network and Giant Network [4][41]. - The report advises monitoring the media sector for advertising growth as the economy improves, recommending companies like Focus Media and Mango Super Media [4][41].