Core Insights - The rise of the "search and extraction" (搜打撤) gaming genre has significantly revitalized the accompanying service industry, particularly the escort service known as "护航" [1][12] - The escort service has become highly addictive for players, leading to increased demand and a shift in player behavior towards seeking these services [4][5] - The market for gaming escorts is expanding rapidly, with projections indicating a substantial increase in users and market size in the coming years [12][14] Industry Overview - The "护航" service involves hiring escorts to help players gather resources in-game and safely extract them, thus reducing the risks associated with gameplay [2][5] - The current gaming landscape has seen a simplification of game mechanics, increasing player engagement and demand for escort services [9][11] - The escort service market is projected to reach 32 billion yuan by 2024, with a compound annual growth rate exceeding 35% [12][14] Market Dynamics - The escort service market is characterized by high competition, with many players and studios vying for attention, leading to a "卷" (intense competition) environment [14][17] - Successful escort studios often leverage connections with popular streamers or professional players to enhance their service offerings and pricing [16][19] - The influx of players seeking escort services has raised concerns about the impact on the overall gaming experience, prompting discussions about maintaining game balance and player satisfaction [19]