Core Insights - Tencent's new strategy game "Wangzhe Wanxiangqi," based on the "Honor of Kings" IP, has begun large-scale testing on December 25, 2025, allowing content streaming and sharing without any payment features [1] - The independent game "Resistance," developed by Haotang Technology, released a gameplay demonstration on December 26, 2025, set in 1940s China, combining espionage and action elements [3] - The independent game "Light and Shadow: Expedition Team No. 33" had its awards revoked due to the use of generative AI during development, violating the competition's rules [5] - The open-world game "Yanyun Shiliusheng" faced controversy over its anniversary costume design, leading to official adjustments after community backlash regarding its visual elements [6] - Vince Zampella, co-founder of Infinity Ward and a key figure in the "Call of Duty" series, passed away in a car accident on December 21, 2025 [7] - Guangzhou's government issued a set of 18 measures to support the gaming and esports industry, including financial incentives for culturally significant games and successful international events [9] - NetEase announced the retirement of its executive vice president Ding Yingfeng, effective December 31, 2025, who will continue as a consultant [12] - The National Press and Publication Administration approved 147 games in December 2025, including 144 domestic and 3 imported titles, with notable releases from Tencent and other companies [14]

Core Insights - The article highlights the approval of 147 new game licenses in December, including Tencent's "QQ Classic Farm" and Le Element's "Silver City" [1] Group 1: Game License Approvals - A total of 147 game licenses were issued in December, indicating a significant increase in regulatory activity within the gaming industry [1] - Notable approvals include Tencent's "QQ Classic Farm" and Le Element's "Silver City," which are expected to contribute positively to their respective companies' revenue streams [1] Group 2: Industry Implications - The issuance of new game licenses suggests a potential recovery in the gaming sector, which has faced regulatory challenges in recent years [1] - The approval of popular titles may enhance user engagement and drive growth for the companies involved, reflecting a more favorable regulatory environment [1]

Group 1 - The core point of the article highlights the significant increase in the approval of domestic video game licenses in December 2025, with a total of 147 licenses issued, surpassing the total of 1,416 licenses in 2024 and reaching a new high since 2019 [1] - As of December 2025, the total number of game licenses issued in the year reached 1,771, with 1,676 for domestic games and 95 for imported games, indicating a stable issuance of domestic game licenses since January 2024, averaging over 124 licenses per month [1] - Notable companies such as Tencent, Kuaishou, and Le Element received approvals for key products, including Tencent's "QQ Classic Farm" and Le Element's "Silver City," reflecting the ongoing interest in both established and new gaming titles [1][2] Group 2 - The imported game sector saw three titles approved, including "Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown" by Shanghai Bihan, indicating a continued interest in international gaming content [2] - Despite the increase in approvals, the performance of the domestic two-dimensional mobile game market has faced challenges, with a reported revenue of 28.281 billion yuan in 2025, a year-on-year decline of 3.64% [3] - The decline in revenue is attributed to two main factors: the downward trend in revenue from several leading products and the underperformance of many new releases, raising questions about the future success of titles like "Silver City" [4]

Core Insights - The issuance of game licenses in December 2025 marks a significant increase, with 1,676 domestic and 95 imported game licenses, totaling 1,771, representing over a 20% growth compared to 2024 [3][4]. Group 1: License Issuance - In December 2025, 144 domestic and 3 imported game licenses were issued, including notable titles like Tencent's "QQ Classic Farm" and the imported "Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown" [1][22]. - The total number of licenses issued from January to November 2025 reached 1,624, with 1,532 being domestic and 92 imported [3]. - The issuance of domestic game licenses saw a significant increase, with a record high of 178 licenses in November 2025 [4]. Group 2: Industry Trends - The approval process for game licenses has improved, with the average time for self-applied licenses reduced to 4-6 months, and potentially shortened by over 20% with professional assistance [4]. - The trend in 2025 shows a diversification in game genres, with various categories like SOC, anime, SLG, console, and single-player games being represented, indicating a mature market [17]. Group 3: Major Players - Tencent emerged as the leading company in terms of game licenses for 2025, including those from its subsidiaries and agency products [7][9]. - NetEase follows as the second-largest player, with its subsidiaries and agency products also included in the count [9]. - 4399 ranked as the highest non-Tencent or NetEase company, focusing on overseas markets and showing strong performance in the mini-game sector [11]. Group 4: Notable Absences - Several well-known companies, such as Paper Games and Deep Blue, did not receive licenses in 2025 but are actively preparing for future projects [12][16]. - miHoYo only secured one license for "Honkai: Inheritance Spirit," with other anticipated titles delayed [14]. Group 5: Future Outlook - The industry is expected to maintain a positive momentum, with hopes for continuous surprises each month [6]. - The competition is shifting from merely obtaining licenses to winning market share, emphasizing product quality and long-term strategies [17].

Core Insights - The National Press and Publication Administration approved a total of 147 game titles, including 144 domestic online games and 3 imported online games, with a significant focus on mobile games, which accounted for 143 titles [1]. Group 1: Game Approval Details - The approved games include notable titles such as Tencent's "QQ Classic Farm," Le Element's "Silver City," and Chuangmeng Tiandi's "Fantasy Battle" [1]. - The breakdown of the approved games shows that there are 143 mobile games, 10 client games, and 1 console game [1]. Group 2: Specific Game Titles and Publishers - Specific titles and their respective publishers include: - "QQ Classic Farm" by Tencent [9] - "Silver City" by Le Element [4] - "Fantasy Battle" by Chuangmeng Tiandi [4] - "Attack! Airship" by Electric Soul Network [5] - "Pocket Elite" by Ice River Network [7] - The approval dates for these titles are all listed as December 24, 2025 [2][4][5][6][7].

Core Insights - The National Press and Publication Administration released the approval information for domestic online games in December 2025, issuing a total of 144 game licenses, significantly increasing the total number of domestic game licenses issued in 2025 to 1,676, a 28.3% increase from 1,306 in 2024 [1][3]. Domestic Game Licenses - Out of the 144 licenses, 143 are for mobile games, including 57 categorized as mobile-casual puzzle games, and 9 for client-based games. Additionally, 8 games received licenses for both mobile and client categories [1]. - Notable titles among the newly approved domestic games include "Silver City" by Shanghai Lelement, "Attack! Airship" by Hangzhou Dihun, and "Survivor Strike" by Wuhan Shoumeng [6][7]. Import Game Licenses - The new batch also included 3 imported game licenses, with one game receiving approval for mobile, client, and console (PS5) platforms. The total number of imported game licenses issued in 2025 is 96, which is a 12.7% decrease from 110 in 2024 [3][6]. Summary of Key Companies - Prominent companies involved in the newly approved domestic games include Tencent, Baidu, and Shanghai Lelement, among others. The imported games feature titles from companies like Shanghai Bihan and Shenzhen Chuangmeng [6][16].

Core Insights - The launch of "Silver City" by Le Element has generated significant buzz in the gaming industry, especially as the company is primarily known for casual games targeting middle-aged users, making this shift towards a youth-oriented title unexpected [1][2] - "Silver City" has received positive initial feedback, with over 600 million views on Bilibili and more than 2 million global pre-registrations within ten days of its announcement, indicating strong market interest [5][6] Group 1: Game Development and Design - Le Element has previously ventured into the "second dimension" gaming space with titles like "Meluker" and "Idol Dream Festival," showcasing their understanding of this genre [2][17] - The game features a unique Victorian-era setting designed using Unreal Engine 5, aiming to blend realistic textures with a two-dimensional character design, which has raised questions about the compatibility of the engine with the animation style [5][10] - The development team is currently in the early stages of game design, focusing on refining gameplay based on player feedback received after the initial reveal [8][9] Group 2: Market Response and Player Engagement - The initial reveal of "Silver City" has led to a strong response from both domestic and international markets, with the promotional video achieving the highest engagement on Bilibili and significant views on IGN's YouTube channel [6][8] - The team emphasizes the importance of player feedback in shaping the game's development, with many players providing detailed critiques and suggestions, indicating a high level of engagement and investment in the game's success [6][9] Group 3: Team and Industry Positioning - Le Element's Shanghai team has grown to over 700 members, with ongoing projects, including "Silver City," which is a key focus for the company [15] - The company has a history of entering the "second dimension" gaming market early, and the core team for "Silver City" includes members with experience from successful projects in this genre [17][18] - The gaming industry is highly competitive, with the team acknowledging the pressure to deliver high-quality content and gameplay experiences to meet player expectations [13][15]

Core Viewpoint - The current state of the second-dimensional game market is experiencing a resurgence with numerous new high-quality products emerging, despite previous pessimism about the market's viability [2][31]. Industry Overview - The second-dimensional game market faced significant challenges last year, leading to a perception of a "bubble burst" and increased risks for new entrants [2][7]. - There is a pressing need for innovative, high-spec products to revitalize the market, and the first half of this year has already seen a surge in activity from various developers [2][6][29]. Company Movements - Several major companies, including Tencent, NetEase, and Perfect World, are actively developing new second-dimensional games, indicating a strong interest in this segment [16][18]. - Notable upcoming titles include "Silver City" by Le Element, "Yihuan" by Perfect World, and "Code: RIDER" by Tencent, all of which showcase diverse gameplay and artistic styles [4][12][20]. - MiHoYo is also making significant moves with the announcement of "Honkai: Inheritance Spirit" and a suspected new project related to "Genshin Impact," highlighting their commitment to expanding their IP universe [20][24]. Market Dynamics - The current landscape features a mix of traditional second-dimensional developers and newcomers from different gaming backgrounds, all vying for a share of the market [18][29]. - The competition is intensifying, with established companies like MiHoYo and Eagle Corner innovating their gameplay mechanics to adapt to evolving player expectations [24][26]. - The industry is witnessing a shift towards faster development cycles and a focus on unique gameplay experiences, as companies aim to differentiate their offerings in a crowded market [29][30]. Future Outlook - The second-dimensional game market is poised for a potential boom in the coming years, with a variety of new titles expected to launch by 2025 or 2026 [4][31]. - The industry's evolution reflects a broader trend of increasing player demands for novelty and quality, suggesting that companies must innovate to maintain relevance [29][30].