网易-S(09999) - 2024 Q3 - 业绩电话会

Financial Data and Key Metrics - Total net revenue for Q3 2024 reached RMB 26.2 billion (USD 3.7 billion), a 3% increase quarter-over-quarter [9][10] - Online game net revenue was RMB 20.2 billion, up 5% quarter-over-quarter, driven by strong performance in PC and mobile games [10] - PC game revenue grew 29% year-over-year and 30% quarter-over-quarter, accounting for 29.2% of total online game revenue [10] - Gross profit margin for Q3 2024 was 62.9%, compared to 62.2% in Q3 2023 [11] - Non-GAAP net income attributable to shareholders was RMB 7.5 billion (USD 1.1 billion) [12] Business Line Performance - Gaming division achieved net revenue of RMB 20 billion, with PC games showing robust growth [2] - Identity V reached record high revenues for the third consecutive quarter, with unprecedented DAUs and global concurrent online players [2][3] - Naraka: Bladepoint celebrated its third anniversary, achieving record high revenue in Q3 2024 [3] - Justice Mobile celebrated its first anniversary, with over 8 million AI-driven NPCs created by players [3][4] - Racing Master launched in Japan, topping the App Store and Google Play Free charts [4][5] Market Performance - Racing Master expanded to Japan, quickly topping download charts and maintaining a strong position in the iOS top-grossing chart [4][5] - Justice Mobile is set to launch in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan in November, with Dark City Dynasty preparing for global release [5] - NetEase is expanding its international footprint, with plans to release several highly anticipated titles globally, including Marvel Rivals and FragPunk [5][6] Strategic Direction and Industry Competition - The company is focusing on innovation and diversification across its gaming portfolio, with a strong emphasis on long-term game operations and player engagement [2][3] - NetEase is leveraging AI-driven NPCs and UGC (user-generated content) to enhance player experiences and drive engagement [3][4] - The company is expanding its global reach, with a dual strategy of developing games for both domestic and international markets [18][19] - Partnerships with Blizzard have been successful, with World of Warcraft and Hearthstone seeing significant player engagement post-relaunch in China [6][22] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted the importance of innovation and quality in driving long-term growth, with a focus on delivering superior content across all business lines [2][9] - The company is optimistic about the future performance of its games, particularly in the international market, with several high-profile releases planned for 2024 and 2025 [5][6][19] - NetEase is committed to maintaining a healthy balance between commercialization and user experience, ensuring long-term sustainability [16][17] Other Important Information - NetEase Cloud Music continued to grow its subscriber base, with a focus on expanding its music offerings and enhancing user engagement through AI-powered tools [7][8] - Youdao achieved its first profitable Q3, with operating income exceeding RMB 100 million, driven by growth in digital content services and smart devices [7] - The company repurchased shares worth USD 543 million in Q3, marking a 98% increase from the previous quarter [12][13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Launch schedule for Whirlwinds Meets and updates on gameplay - Whirlwinds Meets PC version is slated for release by the end of December 2024, with the mobile version following shortly after [14][15] - The game will offer a combination of high-quality open-world exploration and casual social experiences, with a focus on both single-player and multiplayer modes [14][15] Question: Operational strategies for Justice Mobile and Aggie Party - Justice Mobile has shown strong player stickiness, with plans to enrich content and explore innovative commercialization models [16][17] - Aggie Party remains a high-DAU product, with ongoing investments in content creation and long-term content operation strategies [17] Question: Overseas game development strategy - NetEase is pursuing a dual strategy of developing games for both domestic and international markets, with several titles like Marvel Rivals and FragPunk set for global release [18][19] Question: Performance of flagship evergreen games like Fantasy Westward Journey - Fantasy Westward Journey PC has shown stable performance, with revenue growth in August and positive player feedback on recent updates [25][26] Question: Potential of Marvel Rivals and Blizzard's performance in China - Marvel Rivals has received positive feedback from closed beta tests, with a global launch planned for December 6, 2024 [20][21] - Blizzard's relaunch in China has exceeded expectations, with strong player engagement and a deep partnership between NetEase and Blizzard [22][23] Question: Pipeline updates and Project Mugen's status - FragPunk will undergo testing in December 2024, with a launch date to be determined based on results [24] - Project Mugen is set for its first offline test by the end of 2024, with high expectations for its innovative approach to open-world ACG games [24][25]