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]

Core Viewpoint - Bilibili-W (09626.HK) is expected to announce its Q3 2025 financial results on November 13, 2025, with optimistic revenue and profit forecasts indicating significant growth compared to the previous year [1]. Financial Performance Expectations - The consensus forecast for Q3 2025 indicates expected revenue between 76.00 billion and 77.78 billion CNY, representing a year-on-year growth of 4.0% to 6.5% [2][4]. - Net profit is projected to be between 2.36 billion and 3.61 billion CNY, showing a substantial year-on-year increase of 396.8% to 554.0% [2][4]. - Adjusted net profit is anticipated to range from 5.91 billion to 6.93 billion CNY, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 150.2% to 193.4% [2][4]. Business Segment Performance - Mobile gaming revenue is expected to reach 16 billion CNY, with a remarkable year-on-year growth of 60.1% [5][6]. - Advertising revenue is projected at 24 billion CNY, showing a year-on-year increase of 20.2%, with effective advertising revenue growing by 30% [5][6]. - The user base continues to expand, with daily active users reaching 109 million, an increase of 7% year-on-year, and monthly active users at 363 million, up 8% year-on-year [7]. User Engagement and Growth - Monthly paying users have surpassed 31 million, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 9% [7]. - The platform has achieved record highs in user traffic and engagement, with both MAU and DAU showing significant increases [7].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint indicates that the gaming industry showed a strong operational trend in Q3, with significant data supporting this from leading and mid-tier companies [2] - Domestic gaming revenue reached 880.26 billion yuan in Q3, reflecting a quarter-on-quarter growth of 6.96% but a year-on-year decline of 4.08%, suggesting mixed performance [1] - The gaming sector is experiencing a shift in investment focus, with some marginal funds moving towards more aggressive sectors, yet the underlying industry trend remains strong, supporting current stock prices [2] Group 2 - The top ten weighted stocks in the CSI Media Index account for 51.97% of the index, with companies like Focus Media and Giant Network leading the list [3] - The CSI Media Index tracks major companies in marketing, advertising, cultural entertainment, and digital media, reflecting the overall performance of representative listed companies in the media sector [3] - The recent performance of the gaming sector is characterized by a trend where revenue growth outpaces valuation increases, indicating strong fundamental support for the sector [2]

Game Releases - Xishanju officially announced the first seamless open-world MMO "Sword侠世界4:无限" on October 16, with a global pre-registration channel launched, featuring a game world of 1 million square meters and over 30 types of terrain and unique towns [1] - ByteDance's "境・界刀鸣" began Android testing on October 16, with global pre-registration exceeding 12 million, set to launch globally on November 21 [3] - NetEase's "命运：群星" launched on October 16, topping the domestic iOS free chart on its first day, with the overseas version previously achieving top downloads in 19 markets, contributing over 70% of revenue from the US market [5] - Bilibili's top-down shooter "逃离鸭科夫" officially launched on October 16 on PC, achieving a 94% positive rating on Steam and a peak concurrent player count of over 35,000 on its first day [7] Industry News - The first national standard for the protection of trade secrets in the online gaming sector was officially released on October 14, under the guidance of the Shanghai Municipal Market Supervision Bureau [13] - The Hainan Free Trade Port Game Industry Ecological Innovation Development Conference was held on October 18, announcing support policies for the game industry, with individual companies eligible for up to 15 million yuan in promotional vouchers [15] - Legendary game producer Tomonobu Itagaki passed away on October 16, known for founding Team Ninja and developing iconic series such as "Dead or Alive" and "Ninja Gaiden" [16] Company Developments - NetEase announced the termination of operations for its SLG mobile game "指环王：纷争," effective December 31, 2025, after only a year and a half since its launch in the domestic market [11]

Core Insights - October will see the launch of over 20 new games, with key titles from major companies like NetEase, Tencent, and Bilibili, showcasing a diverse range of genres and trends in the gaming industry [1][3] Game Releases - Notable new releases include NetEase's "Marvel Secret Wars," "Destiny: Stars" (domestic version), and "unVEIL the world" (overseas), along with Tencent's "Kaeis Dreamland" and Bilibili's "Escape from Duckov" [1][3] - The new games cover various genres such as shooting, strategy RPG, and action, reflecting a trend towards high-quality production, IP value enhancement, and innovative gameplay [1][3] Industry Trends - The gaming industry is experiencing a trend of simultaneous multi-platform releases, indicating a focus on expanding user reach and ensuring consistent player experiences [1][8] - The recent surge in game releases is attributed to the normalization of game license approvals and the overall heightened interest in the gaming sector [4][8] Market Dynamics - The delay of "GTA6" to May 2026 has led to a crowded release schedule in October, with many companies launching new titles to capitalize on the gaming market's momentum [4][8] - The shooting game genre remains particularly competitive, with titles like "Destiny: Stars" achieving significant pre-registration numbers and revenue growth [6][7] Strategic Insights - Companies are increasingly adopting multi-platform strategies to enhance product quality and provide a unified experience for players, moving away from traditional genre-specific competition [8] - The gaming landscape is shifting, with companies exploring new growth opportunities in niche segments rather than competing solely within established genres [8]

Core Insights - The article discusses the recent controversy surrounding the game "Delta Operation," which has faced backlash from players due to balance adjustments made on October 5, 2023, affecting certain gameplay mechanics and character classes [1][6][27] - The adjustments have led to significant player discussions and a planned boycott on October 10, 2023, indicating a strong emotional response from the community [1][6][27] Player Reactions - Players have expressed mixed feelings about the balance changes, with some believing that the adjustments do not significantly impact core players, while others argue that the changes undermine the game's appeal to casual players [5][12][18] - A notable portion of the player base is considering switching to competing games like "Dark Zone Breakout" and "Battlefield 6" due to dissatisfaction with the recent changes [6][27] Official Response - In response to the backlash, the official team of "Delta Operation" issued an apology and compensation on October 8, 2023, within three days of the initial announcement, indicating a recognition of the issue's severity [6][12][27] - The company is preparing for further communication and adjustments to address player concerns, highlighting the importance of player feedback in game development [6][27] Market Context - The "search and extraction" genre, exemplified by "Delta Operation," is experiencing growth, with other titles in the market also gaining traction, suggesting a competitive landscape [27][28] - The article notes that while "Delta Operation" has contributed to the genre's development, the market is not yet saturated, and new entrants from major companies are expected to intensify competition [27][28] Economic Considerations - The article highlights concerns about in-game economic inflation, which has become more pronounced over time, suggesting that gameplay adjustments alone may not be sufficient to address underlying economic issues [26][27] - Players have called for more consumption outlets for in-game currency to mitigate inflation rather than restricting gameplay options [26][27]

Core Insights - Alibaba Cloud's revenue exceeded expectations, confirming the view that AI is a key investment direction amid global macroeconomic volatility [2] - The report suggests several investment opportunities, including Hong Kong internet leaders, the gaming industry, film and cultural tourism, and data rights [1] Market Overview - In the week of August 25-29, 2025, the Shanghai Composite Index rose by 0.84%, the CSI 300 Index increased by 2.71%, and the ChiNext Index surged by 7.74% [1] - The Hang Seng Index fell by 0.37%, and the Hang Seng Internet Index declined by 1.03%, lagging behind the Hang Seng Index by 0.66 percentage points [1] - The SW Media Index increased by 1.05%, trailing the ChiNext Index by 6.69 percentage points, ranking 12th among 31 industries [1] Alibaba's Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, Alibaba Cloud's revenue grew by 26% year-on-year to 33.398 billion yuan, marking a three-year high [2] - AI-related product revenue has seen triple-digit year-on-year growth for eight consecutive quarters, accounting for over 20% of external commercialization revenue [2] - Capital expenditure in the AI and cloud sector reached a record high of 38.6 billion yuan during the reporting period, with over 100 billion yuan invested in AI infrastructure and product development over the past four quarters [2] Gaming Industry Developments - In August 2025, the National Press and Publication Administration approved 166 domestic and 7 imported game licenses, with a total of 1,050 domestic game licenses issued this year [3] - The increase in approved licenses indicates a strengthening trend in the supply side of the industry, supported by policies that provide certainty for product matrix expansion [3] Media Industry Data - Top three films in theaters: "浪浪山小妖怪," "南京照相馆," "东极岛" [4] - Top three TV series: "凡人修仙传," "生万物," "利剑玫瑰" [4] - Top three variety shows: "地球超新鲜," "心动的信号第八季," "脱口秀和Ta的朋友们第二季" [4] - Top three animated series: "沧元图," "凡人修仙传," "开心锤锤" [4] - Top three iOS games: "王者荣耀," "和平精英," "穿越火线-枪战王者" [4] - Top three Android games: "心动小镇," "我的休闲时光," "崩坏：星穹铁道" [4]

Group 1 - The gaming sector experienced fluctuations but is currently on an upward trend, with the gaming ETF (159869) seeing a slight decline while attracting significant capital inflow of 206 million yuan over the past five trading days [1] - In August, the number of game licenses issued reached a record high, with a total of 1,050 domestic games approved this year and 166 games approved in August alone, marking an increase of 39 games from the previous month [1] - Notable games approved in August include titles from major developers such as NetEase, Bilibili, and Tencent, indicating a diverse range of products being released [1] Group 2 - According to Zhonghang Securities, the gaming sector is being driven by three main factors: ongoing policy support, industry recovery, and accelerated AI implementation [2] - In the short term, the normalization of license releases and the launch of new products during the summer will support performance realization [2] - The long-term growth potential is bolstered by global expansion opportunities, with the gaming sector undergoing transformations in AI, content, and commercialization models [2]

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Outperform the Market" indicating a potential increase of over 10% relative to the market index in the next six months [3][6]. Core Insights - In August 2025, the number of game approvals reached a record high, with 166 domestic games and 7 imported games approved, marking a year-to-date total of 1,050 domestic games and 69 imported games [1][2]. - Notable games that received approval include Tencent's "Kareus Dream" and bilibili's "Escape from Duckov," both of which are expected to perform well in the market due to their unique gameplay and strong development teams [1][2]. - The report emphasizes the ongoing normalization of game approvals, suggesting a steady recovery in the industry, and recommends focusing on leading companies with diverse product portfolios and strong R&D capabilities [2]. Summary by Sections Industry Events - The National Press and Publication Administration announced the approval of 166 domestic and 7 imported games in August 2025, with significant titles like "Kareus Dream" and "Escape from Duckov" gaining attention [1][2]. Game Performance - "Kareus Dream," developed by Smilegate's SUPER CREATIVE, combines dark fantasy elements with innovative gameplay mechanics, while "Escape from Duckov" offers a unique blend of cute aesthetics and tactical gameplay, achieving over 200,000 players and a 93% positive rating during its Steam testing phase [1][2]. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests that the industry is on a recovery path with a consistent release of game approvals, and it advises investors to pay attention to top-tier companies with strong product reserves and diverse thematic strategies [2].

Core Insights - The article highlights a record high of 166 domestic game approvals in August, indicating strong policy support and a rich supply of products, leading to a positive outlook for the industry [1][2]. Group 1: Approval Statistics - In August, the National Press and Publication Administration approved 166 domestic games, marking a historical peak; a total of 1,050 domestic game approvals have been issued in the first eight months of the year, significantly higher than the 850 approvals during the same period last year [2]. - The average monthly issuance of domestic game approvals has increased from 88.8 in 2023 and 108.8 in 2024 to 131 in the first eight months of this year [2]. Group 2: Market Performance - The gaming industry in China continued to show positive growth in July 2025, with a domestic market size reaching 29.084 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 4.62%; mobile gaming grew by 0.92%, while client-based gaming surged by 16.56% [3]. - Notable game performances include Tencent's "Delta Action" achieving 20 million daily active users in July, and the mobile game "Valorant" launched on August 19, which boosted user engagement [3]. Group 3: Investment Recommendations - The stable approval rhythm and abundant game supply lead to a favorable outlook for companies with quality content reserves and solid fundamentals [4].