Group 1 - Tencent has made a significant organizational adjustment by dissolving the original Ubisoft cooperation department and establishing a new K9 cooperation department, indicating a shift from a traditional agency model to a more integrated partnership approach [1][4] - The establishment of the K9 cooperation department is part of Tencent's strategy to deeply embed itself in the lifecycle management of Ubisoft's core IPs, moving away from merely acting as a distributor [3][4] - Tencent's investment of €1.16 billion in Ubisoft's newly formed core IP subsidiary signals a strategic intent to incorporate Ubisoft into its "evergreen" operational framework, focusing on sustaining and expanding the lifecycle of IPs [3][13] Group 2 - Ubisoft has struggled with innovation, leading to stagnation in its major franchises, which has resulted in a perception of its games as repetitive and lacking fresh engagement [5][7] - The gaming industry is witnessing a shift in understanding content lifecycles, with companies needing to combat inertia and creative fatigue, a challenge that Ubisoft faces as it attempts to adapt to modern content demands [7][10] - Tencent's approach to game lifecycle management, characterized by continuous content supply and operational agility, contrasts with Ubisoft's traditional model, which may require a cultural shift within Ubisoft to fully embrace Tencent's methodologies [16][17] Group 3 - Tencent's long-term strategy involves not only enhancing its domestic IPs but also expanding its global footprint, as evidenced by its need to develop more globally relevant evergreen IPs [10][11] - The collaboration between Tencent and Ubisoft is seen as a potential remedy for Ubisoft's current challenges, with Tencent aiming to leverage its operational expertise to revitalize Ubisoft's IPs [13][19] - The ongoing partnership is an experiment to determine whether Tencent's "evergreen logic" can effectively rejuvenate Ubisoft's IPs, with both companies seeking to adapt to the evolving gaming landscape [19]

Core Insights - Supercell, a leading mobile game developer, has returned to the market with two new titles, "Squad Busters" and "mo.co," after a six-year hiatus, but both games have underperformed commercially [1][3][4] - The release strategies for both games were experimental, bypassing traditional soft launch processes, which may have contributed to their lack of success [3][6] - Despite the disappointing performance, the new titles reflect Supercell's willingness to innovate and take risks in game design and distribution strategies [3][6] Group 1: Commercial Performance - "Squad Busters" generated approximately $70 million in its first year, significantly lower than "Brawl Stars," which earned $340 million in its first year [4] - In May 2025, "Squad Busters" only earned $1.2 million, marking a low point for Supercell compared to its previous titles [4][6] - "mo.co," still in a soft launch phase, earned $2.5 million in its first three months, which is also below Supercell's historical performance [6] Group 2: Game Release Strategies - "Squad Busters" was launched globally without a soft launch, while "mo.co" utilized an invitation-only system for its soft launch, which deviated from typical practices [8][11] - The invitation system for "mo.co" created a sense of exclusivity and urgency among players, leading to approximately 2.5 million downloads in its first month [13][11] - Both games experienced a rapid decline in downloads post-launch, indicating that even Supercell's brand power may not be enough to sustain interest without effective gameplay [16] Group 3: Gameplay and Target Audience - "Squad Busters" aimed to create a highly casual experience but had to pivot towards a more mid-core gameplay style due to initial player feedback [17][18] - The game underwent significant changes in its 2.0 version, introducing a hero system and a revamped progression system to enhance player control and strategic depth [19][23] - "mo.co" was designed for mid-core players from the outset, featuring a cooperative action RPG format with various game modes, but it lacks some casual elements that could broaden its appeal [32][33] Group 4: Monetization Strategies - "Squad Busters" initially focused on a pay-to-win model, which was later adjusted to include more cosmetic items as the game evolved [44][51] - "mo.co" relies heavily on cosmetic monetization, similar to PC and console games, but this approach may limit long-term revenue potential if not balanced with functional upgrades [44][48] - The contrasting monetization strategies of the two games highlight Supercell's experimentation with different revenue models in the mid-core gaming space [54][56] Group 5: Operational Activities - Supercell has historically excelled in operational activities, but "Squad Busters" has not yet reached the level of engagement seen in titles like "Brawl Stars" [56][60] - The game has hosted numerous events, focusing on collection and cooperation, but lacks the depth and variety of activities that keep players engaged long-term [60][62] - "mo.co" has a more streamlined approach to events, focusing on fewer but more impactful activities, which may help maintain player interest without overwhelming them [73][85] Group 6: Future Outlook - Both "Squad Busters" and "mo.co" represent Supercell's bold experiments in game design, with the former transitioning towards a more structured mid-core experience and the latter aiming to refine its core gameplay [87][88] - The potential for "mo.co" to evolve its monetization strategy and operational activities remains, as Supercell is known for its ability to adapt and innovate [89][90] - The limited social features in both games indicate an area for improvement, as enhancing community engagement could significantly impact player retention and satisfaction [86][91]

Global Macro - Strong non-farm payroll data supports the Federal Reserve's wait-and-see stance, with June non-farm employment increasing by 147,000, exceeding market expectations of 110,000. The unemployment rate unexpectedly fell to 4.1% [1][2] - Average hourly wage growth year-on-year decreased to 3.7%, with a month-on-month increase slowing to 0.2%. This strong employment data reduces the urgency for interest rate cuts in the short term [1][2] Automotive Industry - XPeng Motors launched the G7 model at a starting price of 195,800 yuan, which is 40,000 yuan lower than the pre-sale price, exceeding expectations [3] - The G7 focuses on family comfort and smart technology, showcasing competitive advantages in the mid-to-high-end pure electric SUV market compared to competitors like Model Y and Xiaomi YU7 [3][6] - XPeng's sales in the first half of 2025 exceeded 197,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 279%, achieving 56% of its annual target. The G7's launch is expected to sustain sales growth in the second half of the year [6] Internet Industry - Tencent's mobile game revenue is expected to grow by 17% in Q2, while NetEase's mobile game revenue shows positive year-on-year growth, with domestic revenue increasing by 4% [9][10] - The performance of Tencent's games was impacted by a high base from previous releases, while new games like "Delta Action" and established titles contributed to mitigating losses [10] Economic Data - Upcoming economic data releases include U.S. consumer credit and unemployment claims, as well as China's consumer price index and trade surplus figures [11]

Core Insights - The global mobile game revenue rankings for June 2025 have been released, with Tencent's "Honor of Kings" leading the chart despite a month-over-month revenue decline [1][2]. Group 1: Top Revenue Generating Games - "Honor of Kings" by Tencent generated $143 million in June, maintaining its top position despite a $40 million drop from May's $184 million [2]. - "Whiteout Survival" and "LastWar" closely follow, with "Whiteout Survival" earning $128 million and "LastWar" at $127 million, showing a very narrow revenue gap [2]. - "Royal Match" ranked fourth with a revenue of $117 million, marking its first drop below $120 million since June 2024 [3]. Group 2: Notable Trends and Changes - "Monopoly Go" by Scopely has stabilized around $100 million for three consecutive months, while "Candy Crush Saga" saw its revenue fall below $100 million for the first time since February, now at $97 million [3]. - "PUBG Mobile" and "Peacekeeper Elite" also experienced revenue declines, with "Peacekeeper Elite" dropping from approximately $120 million in May to about $94 million in June [3]. - "Pokémon Go" saw a significant revenue increase to over $62 million due to community events, while "Pokémon TCG Pocket" faced a decline from approximately $81 million to $56 million [4]. Group 3: Rankings Beyond the Top 10 - "Genshin Impact" by miHoYo ranked 11th with $48.8 million, while "Gossip Harbor" reached $44.2 million, marking a new high [5][6]. - "Roblox" continued to struggle with a revenue drop to $39.2 million, while "Kingshot" surged to $37.3 million, climbing 13 positions [6][7]. - "Clash Royale" by Supercell achieved a revenue of approximately $36 million, marking its best performance since December 2021 [7].

Core Insights - The year 2023 marks the rise of mini-games, with 2024 expected to see continued product and market expansion, leading to a mature ecosystem by 2025 [1] Group 1: User Growth and Engagement - Mini-game users online increased by 10% year-on-year, with over 80% of users accessing games through "pull-down, social, and search" methods [2] - The platform has over 5 billion monthly active users, with only 10% overlap with mobile game users, indicating a unique user base [4] - Players engage with an average of 6 mini-games monthly, with daily online time increasing by 10% compared to the previous year [4] Group 2: Developer Ecosystem - There are over 400,000 mini-game developers, with 80% being small teams of fewer than 30 people [2][8] - The platform has seen the emergence of multiple stable mini-games with over 10 million monthly active users, supported by a strong developer ecosystem [5] - The introduction of tools like LTVMax and expansion of game size limits aims to support developers and enhance game quality [9] Group 3: Market Dynamics and Competition - 70% of listed gaming companies have begun investing in mini-games, indicating a shift in market focus [10] - The entry of established companies like Supercell into the mini-game market is expected to elevate the overall quality and diversity of offerings [10] - The mini-game platform has a library of over 200 quality IPs, enhancing collaboration opportunities and user engagement [10] Group 4: Social Interaction and User Experience - The integration of social features allows for seamless interaction between players, creating a dual-loop ecosystem within the WeChat environment [11] - The rise of PC mini-games has seen a 55% increase in activity, with a 40% expansion in commercial scale [11] - The WeCare initiative supports educational and cultural projects, showcasing the platform's commitment to social impact [15]

Core Insights - The WeChat Mini Games ecosystem is thriving, with a 10% year-on-year increase in user online duration and over 80% of users starting games through "pull-down, social, and search" methods [1] - More than 400,000 mini game developers are involved, with over 80% being small teams of fewer than 30 people [1] - Approximately 70% of listed gaming companies are investing in the mini game ecosystem, leading to a rich variety of engaging games for users [1] User Engagement - The monthly active users of WeChat Mini Games have reached 500 million, with users playing an average of 6 games per month and daily online duration also increasing by 10% compared to last year [1] - Nearly 70 games have achieved over 1 million daily active users (DAU), and over 300 games have generated more than 10 million yuan in quarterly revenue [1] Market Expansion - International gaming giant Supercell has entered the Chinese WeChat Mini Games market, launching its competitive mobile game "Brawl Stars" exclusively on the platform, with a mini game version of "Clash Royale" expected to launch in September [1] - The mini game IP cooperation platform has over 200 quality IPs, with new city tourism IPs being added, marking a significant expansion in the IP collaboration space [2] Technological Advancements - The PC mini games have seen a 55% increase in activity and a 40% expansion in commercial scale, with user acquisition spending increasing fourfold [2] - The WeChat Mini Games platform has introduced the LTVMax optimization tool and upgraded its technical capabilities, allowing for larger game sizes and improved efficiency in advertising [2] Social Responsibility - The WeChat Mini Games team has upgraded the WeCare public welfare program, opening donation capabilities and exclusive feedback mechanisms to all developers by July 1, 2025, with over 1 million yuan donated during the testing phase [2]

Industry Overview - The National Press and Publication Administration announced the approval of 147 domestic game licenses and 11 imported game licenses in June, marking a recent high in license issuance [1] - The gaming industry is experiencing a recovery, with the market size reaching 28.05 billion yuan in May, a year-on-year increase of approximately 9.9% [1] - The overseas sales revenue of domestically developed games was 1.58 billion USD, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 6.9% [1] Policy Support - The Zhejiang Provincial Department of Commerce and 17 other departments issued measures to support the internationalization of the gaming industry, proposing 20 specific initiatives to enhance global competitiveness [2] - Beijing's support measures for the gaming and esports industry emphasize the promotion of high-quality game creation and the integration of technology innovation, particularly in AI and AIGC [2] Company Developments - Tencent launched the "Hunyuan Game Visual Generation Platform," significantly optimizing game asset generation and production processes, enhancing design efficiency by several times [3] - Tencent's Q1 gaming revenue reached 59.5 billion yuan, with international market revenue of 16.6 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 23% [4] - NetEase reported Q1 revenue of approximately 28.8 billion yuan, with a net profit of about 10.3 billion yuan, marking a year-on-year increase of over 30% [4] Market Outlook - Analysts are optimistic about the gaming sector, anticipating a performance turning point due to stable game license issuance and supportive policies for AI integration [3] - The gaming sector is expected to benefit from the release of new products and the ongoing integration of AI technology, which is accelerating commercialization [3]

Group 1 - Supercell's popular mobile game "Brawl Stars" has initiated a confidential testing recruitment on Tencent's cloud gaming platform, with the testing expected to open to Android users in late June [1] - If the testing yields positive results, it may accelerate the global promotion of the cloud gaming version of "Brawl Stars" and enhance the cloud adaptation of other Supercell products like "Clash of Clans" and "Clash Royale," further solidifying Tencent's leading position in the cloud gaming sector [1] Group 2 - Square Enix's "Final Fantasy XVI" for Xbox Series X has faced widespread criticism due to significant reductions in graphics quality, lagging behind the PS5 version by 28% in quality mode and 55% in performance mode [2] - The technical shortcomings in cross-platform adaptation may weaken Square Enix's competitiveness in the global AAA gaming market, potentially leading to a long-term valuation downgrade [2] - Square Enix needs to quickly address the issues with patches for the Xbox and PC versions and reassess the efficiency of cross-team collaboration [2] Group 3 - Shiyue Network's classic idle card game "Shining Light" has launched a "50% recharge" test to lower the entry barrier for players, allowing them to try different card combinations at half the cost [3] - Since its launch in 2019, "Shining Light" has faced declining user activity due to competition from similar games, and this test aims to stimulate spending by offering significant discounts [3] - While the 50% recharge may reduce the average revenue per user (ARPU) during the test period, it could attract returning players and improve retention in the long term [3]

Core Insights - The global mobile game revenue rankings for May 2025 have been released, showing significant performance variations among top games [1][2]. Group 1: Top Performers - "Honor of Kings" by Tencent continues to lead the chart with a revenue of $184 million in May, maintaining its position after regaining the top spot in April [1][2]. - "Whiteout Survival" and "Last War: Survival" are in a close competition for the second position, with revenues of $137 million and $133 million respectively, marking their third consecutive month of rank changes [2][3]. - "PUBG Mobile" ranks fifth with a revenue of approximately $119 million, showing a slight month-over-month increase [3]. Group 2: Revenue Fluctuations - "Royal Match" experienced significant revenue fluctuations, earning about $127 million in May after peaking at nearly $145 million in March [2]. - "Candy Crush Saga" and "Monopoly Go" followed closely with revenues of $105 million and $100 million, both showing slight declines [3]. - "Pokémon TCG Pocket" saw its revenue rebound to over $80 million, heavily influenced by new card pack releases [3]. Group 3: Rankings 11-20 - The rankings from 11 to 20 include "Gossip Harbor" at $42.4 million, "Brawl Stars" at $38.9 million, and "Honkai: Star Rail" at $38.5 million, indicating a steady performance for these titles [4][5]. - "Gossip Harbor" has shown consistent growth since its launch in mid-2022, achieving a new high in May [5]. - "Fate/Grand Order" made a notable comeback to the top 20 with a revenue of $32.1 million [5].

Core Viewpoint - Tencent's existing businesses are gradually emerging from operational cycle lows, with key games returning to healthy growth and advertising efficiency improving through integration with various platforms [1][5] Group 1: Financial Performance - Tencent's 1Q25 revenue increased by 13% year-on-year, reaching 180 billion, exceeding expectations by 2.5% [1] - Non-IFRS net profit for 1Q25 was 61.3 billion, up 22% year-on-year, surpassing expectations by 3% [1] Group 2: Gaming Business - Tencent's gaming strategy has shifted to focus on evergreen games and new game reserves, leading to a positive outlook for growth [2] - Key games like "Honor of Kings" and "Peacekeeper Elite" have shown recovery in DAU/MAU metrics, with revenue growth expected to improve in 2025 [2] - AI integration in gaming is expected to enhance content production cycles and interactivity, contributing to revenue growth [2] Group 3: Advertising Business - Advertising revenue grew by 20% in 1Q25, significantly outpacing industry averages, driven by video accounts and mini-programs [3] - AI applications in advertising are enhancing return on investment, with expectations for continued growth in 2025 [3] Group 4: Financial Technology and Cloud Services - Financial technology services showed low single-digit growth, primarily driven by loans and wealth management, while payment services faced challenges [4] - Cloud services are undergoing restructuring, focusing on profitability and optimizing gross margins, with AI capabilities expected to enhance service offerings [4]