Core Insights - The self-chess game market, which has been stable for nearly seven years, is about to change with the upcoming release of "Wangzhe Wanxiangqi" [1] - This game, backed by the "Honor of Kings" IP, is seen as a strong challenger in the self-chess market due to its similar product positioning and logic to successful titles like "League of Legends: Teamfight Tactics" and "Gold Shovel Shovel Battle" [3][4] - Despite the potential, the success of "Wangzhe Wanxiangqi" is not guaranteed, as previous attempts by "Honor of Kings" to enter the self-chess genre did not yield significant results [3][4] Market Positioning - Major game developers are re-entering the self-chess market with established IPs and differentiated gameplay, including Tencent's "Wangzhe Wanxiangqi" and others from NetEase and Mihayou [4] - "Wangzhe Wanxiangqi" must address two core questions: why existing users would switch from familiar games like "Teamfight Tactics" and how to effectively convert the large user base of "Honor of Kings" into players of "Wangzhe Wanxiangqi" [4] Gameplay Innovation - The game aims to redefine the enjoyment of self-chess by lowering the entry barrier and creating a "easy to learn, hard to master" experience [6][8] - It simplifies traditional self-chess mechanics, such as the upgrade system, allowing players to enhance hero levels directly by playing matching cards, thus enhancing the gameplay experience [10][12] - The game introduces a unique keyword ability system for heroes, focusing on straightforward interactions rather than complex combinations, which is a significant innovation in the game's design [12][14] Economic and Strategic Systems - "Wangzhe Wanxiangqi" adopts a fixed energy allocation system, encouraging players to commit to a specific strategy from the start, which enhances the depth of gameplay [18][22] - The game features a bidding system that allows players to compete for key cards, maintaining a balance between fairness and competitive dynamics [20] - The economic system encourages players to explore the depth of their chosen strategy rather than spreading their focus too thin [22] Visual and Commercial Aspects - The game emphasizes a stylish visual design and immersive experience, which is crucial for attracting and retaining players [29][31] - The monetization strategy is expected to focus on character skins and visual elements, similar to "Gold Shovel Shovel Battle," but with unique character skills that enhance gameplay [35][37] - The game aims to leverage the vast user base of "Honor of Kings" to achieve commercial success, with a focus on creating a party-like gaming experience [41] Competitive Landscape - "Wangzhe Wanxiangqi" does not aim for a direct competition with "Gold Shovel Shovel Battle" but rather seeks to expand the overall market by attracting non-typical self-chess players [38] - The game targets a diverse audience, including users from other popular IPs, to grow its player base [38] - The long-term success of "Wangzhe Wanxiangqi" will depend on its ability to maintain player engagement and adapt to feedback over time [45]

Industry Dynamics - The first batch of game licenses for 2026 has been officially issued, totaling 182 games, including 177 domestic games and 5 imported games, marking a high value for recent years [3][4] - Notable games that received licenses include NetEase's "Yao Yao Chess," 37 Interactive's "Douluo Dalu: Qicheng," and Giant Network's "Moonlight Night: Master Duel" [4] Company Updates - NetEase's "Yanyun Sixteen Sounds" won multiple awards at the 2025 TapTap Annual Game Awards, including Best Game and Best Narrative [5] - Century Huatong forecasts a revenue of approximately 38 billion yuan for 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of about 68%, with net profit expected to surge by 357.47% to 475.34% [6] - Perfect World anticipates turning a profit in 2025, projecting a net profit of 720 million to 760 million yuan [7] - Gigabit expects a net profit of 1.69 billion to 1.86 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 79% to 97% [8] - Glacier Network predicts a turnaround with a net profit of 436 million to 516 million yuan, recovering from a loss of 247 million yuan in the previous year [9] - Electric Soul Network forecasts a loss of 160 million to 230 million yuan for 2025, marking its first annual loss since going public [10] - NetEase's Montreal studio has reportedly undergone layoffs, primarily affecting the quality assurance department [11] Overseas and Compliance - Valve, the parent company of Steam, is facing a collective lawsuit in the UK, accused of abusing its dominant position in the PC gaming market, with claims for damages amounting to 6.56 billion pounds (approximately 62.40 billion yuan) [12] - Google has launched a new interactive world AI creation tool, Project Genie, which allows users to generate playable 3D environments [13] - Ubisoft plans to lay off up to 200 employees at its Paris headquarters following a restructuring announcement [14]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Recommended" rating for the industry, indicating a positive outlook for the sector's fundamentals and expectations for the industry index to outperform the benchmark index [3][9]. Core Insights - In January 2026, the National Press and Publication Administration issued a total of 182 game licenses, significantly exceeding the average of 148 licenses per month in 2025. This includes 177 domestic licenses and 5 imported licenses, with a notable focus on mobile games [1][7]. - The issuance of game licenses has shown a consistent increase, with 1,306 domestic licenses and 110 imported licenses issued in 2024, and 1,676 domestic licenses and 95 imported licenses in 2025. The trend is expected to continue in 2026 [7]. - Key games that received approval include titles from major companies such as NetEase, Tencent, and Giant Network, indicating strong performance and potential for revenue growth in the gaming sector [7]. Industry Overview - The industry comprises 160 listed companies with a total market capitalization of 2,251.6 billion and a circulating market value of 2,071.2 billion [3]. - The absolute performance of the industry over 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months is 15.4%, 19.2%, and 36.0% respectively, while the relative performance is 12.9%, 4.7%, and 11.5% [5]. - The report highlights several companies with strong prospects, including Tencent, Giant Network, and others, which are expected to benefit from ongoing game releases and international expansion [7].

Group 1 - The game "Yao Yao Qi" has been approved for publication by the National Press and Publication Administration, with approval number Guo Xin Chu Shen [2026] 241, on January 23, 2026 [1] - The publishing unit for the game is Zhejiang Publishing Group Digital Media Co., Ltd., while the operating unit is Hangzhou NetEase Leihuo Technology Co., Ltd. [1] - Hangzhou NetEase Leihuo Technology Co., Ltd. was established in 2009 and is located in Hangzhou, with a registered capital of 10 million RMB and paid-in capital of 10 million RMB [1] Group 2 - The company has made investments in 21 enterprises and participated in 11 bidding projects [1] - It holds 41 trademark registrations and has obtained 20 administrative licenses [1]

Core Insights - The National Press and Publication Administration announced the approval of 177 domestic games and 5 imported games in January 2026, indicating a significant activity in the gaming industry [1][2][4]. Domestic Game Approvals - A total of 177 domestic games received approval, with 175 categorized as "mobile" games, including 64 in the "mobile-casual puzzle" category. Only 2 games were approved in the "client" category, while no approvals were granted for "web" or "console" categories this month [2]. - Notably, 10 games received both mobile and client approvals, highlighting a trend towards multi-platform availability [2]. - In 2025, the total number of domestic game approvals was 1,676, with 96 imported games and 86 changes in game approvals. The 177 approvals this month represent the second-highest monthly total in the past year [2]. Imported Game Approvals - Five imported games were approved this month, with an average of 8 imported games receiving approval monthly over the past year [4]. Notable Games and Changes - Prominent domestic games approved include titles from well-known companies such as NetEase's "Yao Yao Qi," 37 Interactive's "Douluo Dalu: Qicheng," and Giant's "Yue Yuan Zhi Ye: Da Shi Dui Yi" [6]. - The approved imported games include Tencent's "Rainbow Six: Siege" and two titles from Kingsoft's "Angry Birds" series [7]. - A name change was noted for NetEase's game "Endless Lagrange," which has been renamed to "Interstellar Hunter" [8].