Core Insights - The revenue of the two-dimensional mobile game market in the first half of 2025 was 14.577 billion yuan, showing a year-on-year decline of 8% [1] - The second half of 2025 saw a surge in new game releases, particularly after October, with various genres including action-adventure and card strategy being represented [3] Market Performance - The overall performance of the two-dimensional mobile game market in the second half of 2025 showed a shift from low activity to increased vibrancy, with overseas markets becoming a key growth engine [25][26] - Notable new releases such as "Dragon Soul Traveler," "Silver and Scarlet," and "Ise" contributed to a recovery in market revenue, with "Silver and Scarlet" achieving over 400 million yuan in dual-end revenue in June [25][26] Game Releases and Performance - "Dragon Soul Traveler" launched on June 6, 2025, achieving a peak single-day download of 113,674 and total revenue of approximately 2.79 million USD by July 15 [5] - "Silver and Scarlet" launched on June 26, 2025, quickly rising to the second position on the iOS free chart and achieving a peak single-day download of 112,575 [6][7] - "Star Resonance," promoted by Tencent, faced significant server issues upon launch, leading to a rapid decline in its market performance despite initial high expectations [8][9] Revenue Trends - "Ise" achieved over 11 million USD in its first month overseas, ranking 22nd in the overseas mobile game revenue list [10] - "Star Traveler" generated approximately 2.8 million in total revenue within five days of its launch, with Japan contributing significantly to its earnings [13][26] Regional Insights - The majority of revenue for new games came from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, highlighting the importance of these markets for two-dimensional mobile games [26] - Localization efforts, such as multilingual preparations for "Silver and Scarlet," have been crucial for success in overseas markets [26] Future Considerations - Upcoming IP adaptations like "Black Clover: Magic Emperor's Path" and "Bleach: Boundary Blade" are anticipated to perform well, but their success will depend on their ability to innovate beyond traditional gameplay [26]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Recommended" investment rating for the media industry, focusing on high-performing sectors such as gaming and IP industries [1][3]. Core Insights - The media sector is currently experiencing a downturn, with the media index down 6.27% last week, underperforming the CSI 300 index by 4.05% [9][10]. - The gaming market shows resilience, with major titles like "Honor of Kings" consistently ranking at the top of iOS sales charts, indicating a stable demand [15][16]. - The IP industry is thriving, with successful exhibitions and strong performance from key companies, suggesting continued growth potential [6][28]. - The film market is recovering, with total box office revenue reaching 39.725 billion yuan, approximately 79% of the 2019 levels, indicating a positive trend in audience engagement [18][20]. Market Performance Review - The media index's absolute performance over the last month is 3.1%, with a 12-month performance of 72.0% [4]. - The gaming sector is highlighted for its high growth potential, with recommendations to focus on companies like Tencent and Huya [6][28]. - The film market's recovery is evidenced by a significant increase in box office revenue and audience numbers compared to previous years [18][20]. Industry News and Company Announcements - AI advancements are being integrated into various platforms, enhancing content creation capabilities, which could benefit media companies [28][30]. - Key companies in the gaming sector are launching new titles, indicating ongoing innovation and competition in the market [18][30]. - The report emphasizes the importance of strategic acquisitions and partnerships for companies to enhance their market position and growth prospects [32][33].

Core Insights - October will see the launch of over 20 new games, with key titles from major companies like NetEase, Tencent, and Bilibili, showcasing a diverse range of genres and trends in the gaming industry [1][3] Game Releases - Notable new releases include NetEase's "Marvel Secret Wars," "Destiny: Stars" (domestic version), and "unVEIL the world" (overseas), along with Tencent's "Kaeis Dreamland" and Bilibili's "Escape from Duckov" [1][3] - The new games cover various genres such as shooting, strategy RPG, and action, reflecting a trend towards high-quality production, IP value enhancement, and innovative gameplay [1][3] Industry Trends - The gaming industry is experiencing a trend of simultaneous multi-platform releases, indicating a focus on expanding user reach and ensuring consistent player experiences [1][8] - The recent surge in game releases is attributed to the normalization of game license approvals and the overall heightened interest in the gaming sector [4][8] Market Dynamics - The delay of "GTA6" to May 2026 has led to a crowded release schedule in October, with many companies launching new titles to capitalize on the gaming market's momentum [4][8] - The shooting game genre remains particularly competitive, with titles like "Destiny: Stars" achieving significant pre-registration numbers and revenue growth [6][7] Strategic Insights - Companies are increasingly adopting multi-platform strategies to enhance product quality and provide a unified experience for players, moving away from traditional genre-specific competition [8] - The gaming landscape is shifting, with companies exploring new growth opportunities in niche segments rather than competing solely within established genres [8]

Core Insights - Alibaba Cloud's revenue exceeded expectations, confirming the view that AI is a key investment direction amid global macroeconomic volatility [2] - The report suggests several investment opportunities, including Hong Kong internet leaders, the gaming industry, film and cultural tourism, and data rights [1] Market Overview - In the week of August 25-29, 2025, the Shanghai Composite Index rose by 0.84%, the CSI 300 Index increased by 2.71%, and the ChiNext Index surged by 7.74% [1] - The Hang Seng Index fell by 0.37%, and the Hang Seng Internet Index declined by 1.03%, lagging behind the Hang Seng Index by 0.66 percentage points [1] - The SW Media Index increased by 1.05%, trailing the ChiNext Index by 6.69 percentage points, ranking 12th among 31 industries [1] Alibaba's Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, Alibaba Cloud's revenue grew by 26% year-on-year to 33.398 billion yuan, marking a three-year high [2] - AI-related product revenue has seen triple-digit year-on-year growth for eight consecutive quarters, accounting for over 20% of external commercialization revenue [2] - Capital expenditure in the AI and cloud sector reached a record high of 38.6 billion yuan during the reporting period, with over 100 billion yuan invested in AI infrastructure and product development over the past four quarters [2] Gaming Industry Developments - In August 2025, the National Press and Publication Administration approved 166 domestic and 7 imported game licenses, with a total of 1,050 domestic game licenses issued this year [3] - The increase in approved licenses indicates a strengthening trend in the supply side of the industry, supported by policies that provide certainty for product matrix expansion [3] Media Industry Data - Top three films in theaters: "浪浪山小妖怪," "南京照相馆," "东极岛" [4] - Top three TV series: "凡人修仙传," "生万物," "利剑玫瑰" [4] - Top three variety shows: "地球超新鲜," "心动的信号第八季," "脱口秀和Ta的朋友们第二季" [4] - Top three animated series: "沧元图," "凡人修仙传," "开心锤锤" [4] - Top three iOS games: "王者荣耀," "和平精英," "穿越火线-枪战王者" [4] - Top three Android games: "心动小镇," "我的休闲时光," "崩坏：星穹铁道" [4]

Group 1 - The gaming sector experienced fluctuations but is currently on an upward trend, with the gaming ETF (159869) seeing a slight decline while attracting significant capital inflow of 206 million yuan over the past five trading days [1] - In August, the number of game licenses issued reached a record high, with a total of 1,050 domestic games approved this year and 166 games approved in August alone, marking an increase of 39 games from the previous month [1] - Notable games approved in August include titles from major developers such as NetEase, Bilibili, and Tencent, indicating a diverse range of products being released [1] Group 2 - According to Zhonghang Securities, the gaming sector is being driven by three main factors: ongoing policy support, industry recovery, and accelerated AI implementation [2] - In the short term, the normalization of license releases and the launch of new products during the summer will support performance realization [2] - The long-term growth potential is bolstered by global expansion opportunities, with the gaming sector undergoing transformations in AI, content, and commercialization models [2]

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Outperform the Market" indicating a potential increase of over 10% relative to the market index in the next six months [3][6]. Core Insights - In August 2025, the number of game approvals reached a record high, with 166 domestic games and 7 imported games approved, marking a year-to-date total of 1,050 domestic games and 69 imported games [1][2]. - Notable games that received approval include Tencent's "Kareus Dream" and bilibili's "Escape from Duckov," both of which are expected to perform well in the market due to their unique gameplay and strong development teams [1][2]. - The report emphasizes the ongoing normalization of game approvals, suggesting a steady recovery in the industry, and recommends focusing on leading companies with diverse product portfolios and strong R&D capabilities [2]. Summary by Sections Industry Events - The National Press and Publication Administration announced the approval of 166 domestic and 7 imported games in August 2025, with significant titles like "Kareus Dream" and "Escape from Duckov" gaining attention [1][2]. Game Performance - "Kareus Dream," developed by Smilegate's SUPER CREATIVE, combines dark fantasy elements with innovative gameplay mechanics, while "Escape from Duckov" offers a unique blend of cute aesthetics and tactical gameplay, achieving over 200,000 players and a 93% positive rating during its Steam testing phase [1][2]. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests that the industry is on a recovery path with a consistent release of game approvals, and it advises investors to pay attention to top-tier companies with strong product reserves and diverse thematic strategies [2].

Core Viewpoint - The approval of 166 domestic games and 7 imported games in August 2025 indicates a significant recovery and growth potential in the gaming industry, driven by policy support and an increase in game licenses issued [1][2][3]. Domestic Game Approval - A total of 166 domestic games received approval in August 2025, marking a new high for monthly approvals in recent years [3]. - Among the approved domestic games, 107 are mobile games, 39 are mobile casual puzzle games, 17 are both mobile and client games, 1 is a console game (PS5), and 2 are client games [2]. - Major companies like NetEase and Bilibili have notable titles approved, such as NetEase's "Tianxia: Wanxiang" and Bilibili's "Escape from Duckkov" [2]. Imported Game Approval - In August, 7 imported games received approval, including titles from major players like Bilibili and Tencent [2]. - The presence of established companies in both domestic and imported game approvals suggests a strong competitive landscape [2]. Industry Growth and Support - As of August 2025, a total of 1,119 games have received approval this year, with 1,050 being domestic and 69 imported, showing a significant year-on-year growth [3]. - Companies like Baotong Technology and Tom Cat have highlighted the positive impact of license issuance on the recovery of the domestic gaming industry, contributing to an improved overall industry ecosystem [3]. - Tom Cat also noted that various regions, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangdong, have introduced supportive policies for the gaming industry, fostering innovation and development [4].

Core Insights - The National Press and Publication Administration released the approval information for domestic online games in August 2025, with a total of 166 domestic game licenses issued, indicating a growing trend towards multi-platform products [1][2]. Domestic Game Licenses - Out of the 166 domestic game licenses, 163 are for mobile games, 19 for client games, and 1 for console games. Additionally, 17 games received licenses for both mobile and client categories, highlighting the increasing trend of multi-platform products [1]. - A total of 1,050 domestic game licenses have been issued in 2025 as of August, with the monthly approval numbers showing a phase of growth, reaching a new high this month [2]. Imported Game Licenses - A new batch of 7 imported game licenses was also released, with 6 for mobile and 3 for client games. The frequency of issuing imported game licenses has changed from bi-monthly to monthly, maintaining relative stability without significant growth [4]. - Notable imported games include Tencent's "Kaeas Dreamland," developed by the SUPER CREATIVE team under South Korea's Smilegate, which will be co-operated by Tencent Games and Xiaoming Taiji [7]. Notable Games and Developers - Key domestic games approved include titles from major developers such as NetEase, Bilibili, and 37 Interactive Entertainment, with games like "Tianxia: Wanxiang" and "Escape from Duckkov" among the highlights [6]. - For imported games, Tencent's "Kaeas Dreamland" and other titles from companies like Shengqu and Bilibili are noteworthy, showcasing a mix of local and international collaborations [7].

Group 1 - The National Press and Publication Administration approved 7 imported games in August 2025, including titles such as "Uncharted Waters: Origin" and "Special Forces: Assemble" [1][3] - The approved games include various genres, with a focus on mobile and client platforms, indicating a diverse gaming market [1][3] - The approval process reflects ongoing regulatory support for the gaming industry in China, which may lead to increased market opportunities for gaming companies [1][3] Group 2 - The list of approved games includes "Uncharted Waters: Origin," "Dudu Face Prank," "Kea's Dreamland," "Romance of the Three Kingdoms: The Way of the King," "Gold Rush Adventure: Klondike," "Special Forces: Assemble," and "Return of the Heavenly Refinery" [3] - Each game is associated with specific publishing and operating companies, highlighting the collaboration between various entities in the gaming sector [3] - The approval numbers for each game are documented, indicating a structured regulatory framework for game imports [3]

Group 1 - The document lists various mobile and client-based games along with their respective publishing companies and operational units [1][1][1] - The games include titles such as "大航海时代：起源" and "特种部队:集结," indicating a diverse range of genres and themes [1][1][1] - Several companies are involved in the development and publishing of these games, including Shanghai Hongli Digital Technology and Beijing Kuangzhong Information Technology [1][1][1] Group 2 - The document highlights the involvement of educational institutions like Huazhong University of Science and Technology in the gaming industry, showcasing collaboration between academia and technology [1][1][1] - The presence of multiple companies in different cities, such as Shanghai and Beijing, suggests a competitive landscape in the mobile gaming sector [1][1][1] - The variety of game types, from adventure to strategy, reflects the industry's efforts to cater to different consumer preferences [1][1][1]