Core Insights - Supercell reported a revenue of €2.65 billion (approximately ¥218 billion) and an EBITDA of €930 million (approximately ¥77 billion) for 2025, matching the historical best performance of 2024, demonstrating the value of long-termism in a stagnating industry [1][44] - The blog highlights two contrasting narratives: the resurgence of "Clash Royale" and the failure of "Brawl Stars," emphasizing the need for innovation and risk-taking in the gaming industry [5][19] Group 1: Performance Highlights - "Clash Royale" experienced a historic resurgence with player engagement metrics showing a doubling of returning players and nearly 500% growth in new players, marking a significant achievement for a nearly ten-year-old game [11][12] - The success of "Clash Royale" was attributed to team efforts in simplifying gameplay and introducing appealing new content, which improved player experience and engagement [13][14] - Supercell's overall financial performance in 2025 was one of its best years, with a notable contribution from "Clash Royale," reflecting a strong product portfolio and commitment to player experience [44][45] Group 2: Lessons from Failures - "Brawl Stars" became the first game in Supercell's history to be shut down after global release, highlighting the challenges of launching new titles in a competitive market [19][20] - Key lessons from the failure of "Brawl Stars" include the importance of extensive testing for long-term retention and the need for a deeper understanding of player expectations before large-scale marketing [21][22] - The experience with "Brawl Stars" reinforced the company's culture of learning from failures and the necessity for bold innovation in game development [24][25] Group 3: Industry Context - The mobile gaming market has seen a modest average annual growth rate of only 3% over the past five years, indicating a stagnation in the industry [9][24] - A significant disparity exists in the success of new games, with only 22 out of approximately 53,000 new mobile games released since 2020 achieving over $1 billion in revenue, predominantly from developers in China, Japan, and South Korea [24][25] - The industry is criticized for focusing on optimizing existing games rather than pursuing radical innovations that could attract new players and expand the market [26][27] Group 4: Strategic Initiatives - Supercell plans to double its investment in new games and innovation in 2025, aiming to create an environment conducive to both long-term game support and new game development [29][30] - The company has restructured its organization to foster independent teams for long-term games and new game development, allowing for distinct cultures and operational methods [30][32] - Supercell is committed to combining the best traits of startups with the advantages of a mature company, emphasizing the need for ambitious founders and a structured approach to innovation [32][34]

Group 1: Wealth Growth of Entrepreneurs - The 2025 Hurun Rich List shows significant wealth growth among Chinese entrepreneurs, with the top three being Zhong Shanshan, Zhang Yiming, and Ma Huateng, all of whom have substantial business interests in the gaming industry [1][2] - Ma Huateng's wealth increased by ¥150 billion (+48%) to ¥465 billion, primarily due to the rise in Tencent's stock price and the success of its gaming strategy [2][3] - Ding Lei's wealth rose by ¥120 billion (+60%) to ¥320 billion, driven by stable revenues from several games under NetEase and the anticipated return of Blizzard's games in China [3] Group 2: Performance of Gaming Companies - Gigabit's Q3 revenue reached ¥1.968 billion, a year-on-year increase of 129.19%, with net profit soaring by 307.70%, marking a record high for the company [4][7] - Giant Network reported a Q3 revenue of ¥1.706 billion, up 115.63% year-on-year, with net profit increasing by 81.19%, attributed to the success of new games [7] - 37 Interactive Entertainment's Q3 net profit reached ¥944 million, a year-on-year growth of 49.24%, driven by the performance of several new titles [7] Group 3: Industry Trends and Future Outlook - The gaming industry continues to play a crucial role in the Chinese economy, with the potential for further changes in the wealth landscape as new games are launched [3] - The success of games like "Honor of Kings" and the upcoming projects under its IP indicate a robust expansion strategy within the gaming sector [15][19] - The return of Blizzard's classic games and the launch of new titles reflect a dynamic and evolving gaming market in China [31][34]