Core Insights - The brand "BLACKMYTH" under Game Science has opened its first offline store, which began trial operations on September 25, 2023, attracting significant attention and long queues during the National Day holiday [1][3][4] - The store's sales exceeded expectations in the first two days of trial operations, with limited products selling out quickly, indicating strong consumer interest [1][4] - Following the initial surge, customer traffic significantly declined after the holiday, highlighting potential challenges in maintaining foot traffic due to the store's location [1][5][6] Store Concept and Design - The BLACKMYTH store is designed to resemble an art gallery, spanning 1,000 square meters over two floors, with the first floor focused on sales and the second on exhibitions [4] - The product offerings are more sophisticated than typical merchandise, featuring high-quality materials and unique designs, such as the "Yasha King cardigan" made from a blend of Lyocell and wool [4][5] - The store aims to establish itself as a lifestyle brand rather than just a game merchandise outlet, similar to the strategy employed by Pop Mart with its flagship stores [3][4] Product Range and Sales Strategy - The store features a limited range of products, which has been a point of criticism, as customers can quickly view all items in a short time [6] - The brand has launched a WeChat mini-program for online sales, offering collectible figurines priced from hundreds to thousands of yuan, with some items sold out and on pre-order for future delivery [5][8] - Collaborations with other brands, such as Luckin Coffee and Chow Tai Fook, have successfully expanded the product range and increased brand visibility [8][9] Future Plans and Brand Development - Game Science is considering opening additional stores, contingent on the performance of the first location [11] - The company aims to build a narrative around the BLACKMYTH brand, leveraging its successful game IPs to create a broader lifestyle brand [11] - The ongoing development of new game titles, such as "Black Myth: Zhong Kui," is expected to further enhance the brand's story and consumer engagement [10][11]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent opening of the first offline store for the brand "Black Myth BLACKMYTH" under Game Science, highlighting its initial success and subsequent challenges in maintaining customer traffic and product variety [5][6][10]. Group 1: Store Opening and Initial Success - The offline store opened on September 25, 2023, and experienced long queues during its trial operation, with limited edition products selling out within an hour [6][7]. - Sales during the first two days of trial operation exceeded expectations, indicating strong initial consumer interest [7]. Group 2: Customer Experience and Challenges - Customers expressed dissatisfaction with long wait times, leading to some negative publicity, prompting the brand to promise improvements in customer service and product availability [8][9]. - After the National Day holiday, customer traffic significantly decreased, with reports of normal operating conditions and no queues [9][23]. Group 3: Brand Strategy and Product Offering - The brand aims to establish itself as a quality lifestyle brand for gamers, moving beyond just game-related merchandise [12][13]. - The store features a unique design, resembling an art gallery, and offers a curated selection of products that emphasize quality over quantity [14][16]. Group 4: Market Position and Future Plans - The store's location in a less trafficked area has contributed to lower foot traffic compared to competitors like Pop Mart, which are situated in high-traffic areas [22][23]. - Game Science has plans for potential expansion with more stores, contingent on evaluating the performance of the first store [39].

Core Insights - The release of the teaser for "Black Myth: Wukong" at the Cologne International Game Show highlights the growing popularity of Chinese games globally, marking a golden period for overseas expansion [1][2] - Chinese games are evolving from mere entertainment to cultural dialogue, utilizing rich narratives and aesthetics to engage global players [2] Group 1: Cultural Significance - Early Chinese games often relied on quick profits through "martial arts + thrill" or superficial adaptations of Western elements, leading to labels like "skin-swapping" and "IP imitation" [1] - "Black Myth" uses mythological narratives to convey humanistic themes, while "Yan Yun Sixteen Sounds" emphasizes Song Dynasty aesthetics, facilitating cross-cultural dialogue [1] Group 2: Technological Advancements - Previously, Chinese games were criticized for relying on commercial engines and copying overseas gameplay; however, "Black Myth" employs advanced technologies like virtual geometry and dynamic global illumination [1] - "Genshin Impact" showcases high-quality graphics and performance across multiple platforms using a self-developed engine, with AI integrated throughout the development process [1] Group 3: Industry Ecosystem - The success of Chinese games abroad is not limited to a few companies; it involves a collective effort with globalized thinking in game development and distribution [2] - The Chinese government is facilitating this growth by streamlining approval processes for game exports and providing support in areas like international compliance and intellectual property protection [2] - The industry is transitioning from merely exporting products to promoting cultural narratives, akin to the transformation seen in the Chinese mobile phone sector [2]

Group 1 - The gaming industry is receiving systematic policy support since 2025, enhancing its healthy development with initiatives like the "Special Action Plan to Boost Consumption" released in March, which promotes gaming and esports consumption [1] - Various regions including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Hainan, and Sichuan have introduced policies to support the gaming industry, providing strong backing for innovation and development [1] - Long-standing games and classic IPs remain crucial for gaming companies, serving as a stabilizing force while new gameplay trends emerge [1] Group 2 - Major companies are enhancing their long-term operational capabilities and increasing new product supply as dual engines for growth, with leading firms leveraging classic IPs and continuous content updates to build a solid performance foundation [1] - Tencent's products like "Honor of Kings" and "Peacekeeper Elite" continue to evolve, boosting user engagement and supporting revenue growth [1] - New game releases are being accelerated, with companies like NetEase expanding into single-player games and notable titles such as "Return to Tang" generating market interest [1][2]

Core Viewpoint - The company Game Science is taking a bold step by introducing the lesser-known character Zhong Kui to the global gaming stage, following the success of Wukong, raising questions about its ambitions and courage in unfamiliar markets [1] Group 1 - Game Science is venturing into new territory by not following the established path of Wukong, instead opting to showcase Zhong Kui, which may confuse overseas players [1] - The decision to feature Zhong Kui reflects Game Science's ambition to innovate and explore new narratives within the gaming industry [1] - There is uncertainty regarding the potential success of this strategy in foreign markets, as it diverges from the more familiar character of Wukong [1]

Core Insights - The 2025 Cologne International Game Show will take place in Cologne, Germany, from August 20 to 24, and is recognized as Europe's largest and most authoritative interactive entertainment exhibition, focusing on game hardware, software, technology, and related content [1][3] Group 1: Exhibition Overview - The event attracted 1,500 exhibitors from 72 countries and regions, marking an 11% increase from the previous year, setting a historical record for the Cologne International Game Show [4] - The exhibition area reached a record 233,000 square meters, featuring various segments including interactive gaming experiences, cosplay performances, independent games, card games, artist zones, and merchandise sales [9] Group 2: Chinese Participation - Over 50 Chinese exhibitors participated, a 32% increase from last year, showcasing new titles such as Tencent's "Honor of Kings World," "Delta Action," and "Crossfire: Rainbow" [13] - The presence of Chinese games in Europe has significantly increased, with Germany being the largest game market in Europe, housing approximately 37.5 million gamers [17] Group 3: Awards and Recognitions - The mobile game "Love and Deep Space" by Paper Games won the Best Mobile Game award, becoming the first female-oriented game to achieve this honor at the Cologne Game Show [19] - Other notable nominations included "Genshin Impact" and "Tomorrow's Ark" for Best Mobile Game, and "Shadow Blade Zero" for Best Sound Effects [24][26] Group 4: Major Game Releases and Innovations - Tencent's TiMi Studio Group showcased several titles, including "Delta Action," which announced cross-platform support for PC, mobile, and console [26] - The new game "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" was unexpectedly revealed, focusing on a new hero and gameplay, although its release is projected to be three years away [29] Group 5: Japanese Dominance - Japanese companies excelled at the event, with Capcom winning multiple awards for "Resident Evil 9: Requiem," including Best Visual Effects and Best PlayStation Game [42] - Nintendo also received accolades for innovative gameplay with "Donkey Kong: Banana Power" and topped the Switch 2 sales chart with "Mario Kart: World" [46]

Core Insights - The 2025 Cologne International Game Show showcased a significant increase in the presence and influence of Chinese gaming companies, reflecting their growing confidence in entering the European market [1][2][4] Group 1: Chinese Game Presence - The number of Chinese exhibitors at the Cologne Game Show reached a record high of 50, with over 10 new companies participating [4] - Chinese game developers are increasingly focusing on original content, enhancing their international competitiveness in visual style, narrative logic, and gameplay mechanics [4] - The game "Black Myth: Wukong" by Game Science was highlighted, with its sequel "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" being a major attraction at the event [2][3] Group 2: Market Impact - Germany, as Europe's largest gaming market, has approximately 37.5 million gamers, with mobile and console platforms being the most popular [5] - Four Chinese-developed games are projected to enter the top ten mobile download rankings in Germany in 2024 [5] Group 3: Sino-European Cooperation - Chinese gaming companies are increasingly localizing their content and operations to better connect with European players, as seen with miHoYo's "Genshin Impact" [6] - Collaborations between Chinese and European game studios are on the rise, with Tencent showcasing multiple new titles developed in partnership with international IPs and studios [7] - The focus on high-quality localization and community building is seen as essential for success in the competitive European market [6][7]

Core Insights - The 2025 Cologne International Game Show, held from September 20 to 24, showcased a larger and more prominent presence of Chinese gaming companies, reflecting their growing confidence and influence in the European market [1][4]. Group 1: Chinese Presence and Popularity - The number of Chinese exhibitors at the Cologne Game Show reached a record high of 50, with over 1,500 exhibitors from more than 70 countries participating [4]. - Chinese games are increasingly well-received, with companies focusing on enhancing the quality of their original works, leading to higher international competitiveness and positive evaluations from overseas media and players [4]. - The game "Black Myth: Wukong" by Game Science gained significant attention, with its sequel "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" being highlighted as a major reveal at the event [2][3]. Group 2: Market Data and Trends - Germany, as Europe's largest gaming market, has approximately 37.5 million gamers, with mobile and console platforms being the most popular [5]. - In 2024, four games developed by Chinese companies are projected to enter the top ten mobile download rankings in Germany [5]. Group 3: Localization and Collaboration - Chinese gaming companies are adopting a global perspective, emphasizing localization and community engagement to resonate with European players [7]. - MiHoYo's game "Genshin Impact" exemplifies this trend by incorporating European cultural elements and actively engaging local players through events and themed cafes [7]. - Collaboration between Chinese and European game studios is increasing, with Tencent showcasing multiple new titles developed in partnership with international IPs and studios [8].

Core Viewpoint - The article provides a tutorial on how to use the Nano Banana model in LM Arena for creating character figures and enhancing images, particularly focusing on the game "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" [1][3]. Group 1: Tutorial Steps - Users need to access LM Arena and select the image modality to trigger the image model [3]. - After uploading an image, users can input prompt words to modify the image, such as adding a character riding a tiger and including game-related elements [3][4]. - The platform generates two images at a time, allowing users to select the best result, which may require multiple attempts to find the Nano Banana model [7]. Group 2: Enhancements and Effects - The article discusses transforming the generated images into videos to enhance visual appeal, using specific prompt words to create dynamic effects [10]. - A detailed description of the visual transformation process is provided, illustrating how the character figure transitions from a physical model to a CG representation [10]. - The final output can be further edited with music and original CG footage to create a more engaging experience [12]. Group 3: Results and Engagement - The article encourages users to experiment with the tutorial and share their results, fostering community engagement [13].

Group 1 - The Gamescom 2023, the largest gaming exhibition globally, opened in Cologne, Germany, with over 1,500 exhibitors from 72 countries, marking an 11% increase from last year [1] - More than 50 Chinese companies participated, including Tencent, MiHoYo, and others, representing a 32% increase in participation compared to the previous year [1] - The event featured the debut of the game "Black Myth: Wukong," which received enthusiastic applause during the Opening Night Live [1] Group 2 - Chinese companies, led by Tencent, have become key players at the Gamescom, with numerous booths attracting international gamers [2] - Tencent's VISVISE, an AI-driven creative solution for game art production, was globally unveiled at the event, covering various aspects of game development [2] - The presence of Chinese gaming companies is increasingly significant in the global gaming industry, contributing to industry advancements and becoming essential participants [2]