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]

证券研究报告 | 行业点评报告 2026 年 01 月 30 日 26 年首月发放 182 款版号，大幅超过 25 年月均 148 款 游戏行业 1 月版号点评 TMT 及中小盘/传媒 1 月 26 日，国家新闻出版署公布了 177 款国产版号、5 款进口版号。177 款国产 版号中，其中"移动"类 101 款，"移动-休闲益智"类 64 款，"移动、客户端"10 款，"客户端"2 款；5 款进口版号中，"移动"4 款，"客户端"1 款。同时还发布 了 14 款游戏的审批变更信息。 ❑ 风险提示：游戏上线时间不及预期；流水不及预期等。 推荐（维持） 行业规模 | | | 占比% | | --- | --- | --- | | 股票家数（只） | 160 | 3.1 | | 总市值（十亿元） | 2251.6 | 2.0 | | 流通市值（十亿元） | 2071.2 | 2.0 | 行业指数 相关报告 1、《传媒互联网行业周报—阿里千 问做出重大更新，泡泡玛特持续回购》 2026-01-29 2、《互联网行业周报—春节 AI 应用 活动陆续上线，关注大厂布局情况》 2026-01-29 3、《AI 应用研究感思 ...

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].