Category: Gaming

PlayLah Sets a New Standard for Casual Mobile Entertainment With Its Global Launch

SINGAPORE, Nov 25, 2025 – (ACN Newswire) – On November 25, 2025, PlayLah, a product of VOLCANO ENTERTAINMENT PTE. LTD., officially launched its new entertainment-focused casual gaming platform, enabling players to enjoy fast, stress-free mini-games anytime and anywhere.

The arrival of PlayLah marks a significant moment in the global casual gaming landscape. In an era where mobile entertainment is increasingly defined by convenience, speed, and simplicity, PlayLah positions itself as a dedicated hub for instant enjoyment. Built from the ground up to match the habits of modern players, it offers a seamless entertainment experience designed for the scattered moments of everyday life. Whether someone wants to relax during a short break, unwind after work, or simply fill a few idle minutes, PlayLah provides a space where fun is always one tap away.

A Fresh Take on Casual Gaming

Mobile gaming has gone through several transformations in the last decade. There was a time when players favored large-scale titles with elaborate content and heavy progression systems. Yet the reality of daily life has shifted. More users now prefer games that deliver pleasure quickly, without demanding commitment or long hours. This behavioral shift is particularly visible across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, where busy routines leave limited time for lengthy entertainment sessions.

PlayLah identifies this trend and responds with a platform engineered entirely around instant play. Every title available on the app is designed with straightforward mechanics that are easy to grasp within seconds. The gameplay loops are intentionally compact, allowing players to enjoy meaningful fun without any mental burden. This approach enables PlayLah to stand out amid an industry full of complex systems and resource-heavy titles, reminding users that joy can be simple, direct, and accessible.

An Ever-Growing Library of Mini-Games

One of the strengths of PlayLah lies in its diverse collection of mini-games. Unlike traditional single-title apps, PlayLah functions as a curated catalogue where each game offers a different style of entertainment. The selection covers reflex challenges, timing tests, puzzle solving, obstacle runs, casual action, and many other micro-genres that appeal to players of varying preferences.

The essence of every game in PlayLah is clarity. Players are not required to memorize rules or understand complicated user interfaces. Each game introduces its objective immediately, letting players jump into action without hesitation. This simplicity does not diminish enjoyment. Instead, it enhances it by maximizing accessibility and minimising barriers to entry. Even players with minimal gaming experience can pick up a game and start having fun instantly.

The continuous expansion of the game library also ensures that PlayLah remains fresh over time. New games are added progressively, giving users more content to explore and revisit. This steady growth contributes to long-term engagement, as players have multiple reasons to return and discover what is new each week.

Smooth Performance and User-Centric Design

Performance is a critical part of the PlayLah experience. Many mobile games suffer from long loading times, heavy assets, and battery drain. PlayLah addresses these issues through deliberate technical optimization. During internal and external evaluations, game loading speeds remained consistently fast. Interface responsiveness was smooth across all major device categories, and the overall storage footprint of the app stayed remarkably light.

The platform’s user interface was constructed with a focus on clarity and comfort. Instead of overwhelming users with excessive visuals, PlayLah adopts a modern, minimalist style. Screens are clean, layout spacing is carefully balanced, and navigation flows naturally. This calm and structured presentation ensures that users never feel lost or pressured while browsing the game list.

Such design choices create an atmosphere of relaxation, which aligns perfectly with the platform’s goal. PlayLah is built not only to entertain but also to serve as a refreshing digital environment where players can unwind without distractions.

A Social Platform at Its Core

Even though the games on PlayLah are small in size, the platform itself offers a deep layer of social interactions. PlayLah was developed with the belief that entertainment becomes more meaningful when shared with others. Players can build profiles that reflect their personality through avatars, game collections, and progress markers. They can add friends, track one another’s achievements, and exchange friendly challenges.

Leaderboards and rankings allow players to measure themselves against others, both globally and regionally. These rankings are positioned as light-hearted challenges rather than competitive pressure. The intent is to encourage interaction, not to create stress. Achievements, milestones, and performance records further enhance the sense of progression without forcing players into long-term obligations.

Through these features, PlayLah transforms quick entertainment moments into an engaging community experience. It becomes a platform where interaction and fun coexist, making gameplay more rewarding and socially vibrant.

Fair and Transparent Monetization

Monetization in mobile games is often a concern for players. Many apps rely on intrusive methods, aggressive pop-ups, or essential features locked behind payment. PlayLah takes a very different approach. Its monetization system is transparent, optional, and oriented toward enhancements rather than necessities.

Players may purchase decorative items such as avatars and skins, as well as in-app currencies used to unlock aesthetic customization. Seasonal bundles provide additional value during special events. Optional ads are available for users who want extra rewards without spending money. A subscription model is under development to provide consistent value for highly active players.

PlayLah ensures that all core content remains free. No essential gameplay mechanics, game modes, or features are restricted by payment. This philosophy prioritizes trust and long-lasting player satisfaction, which is crucial for a platform designed for an international audience.

A Product Built for Global Expansion

Casual gaming has a universal appeal that transcends age, culture, and geography. With its accessible design and broad content variety, PlayLah is positioned to enter markets ranging from Southeast Asia and the Middle East to Europe, North America, and Latin America.

The app’s lightweight architecture allows it to run on a wide range of devices. It requires minimal storage, loads quickly even in areas with slower network speeds, and does not drain power heavily. These qualities make it particularly ideal for emerging markets where device specifications vary widely.

PlayLah’s user interface is also built with future localization in mind. Multi-language support will enable the platform to adapt quickly to the cultural and linguistic needs of various regions. This flexibility contributes to PlayLah’s global growth potential.

The Vision Behind the Platform

PlayLah represents the ambitions of Volcano Entertainment Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-based company dedicated to social entertainment and mobile gaming. The company’s vision extends beyond creating a single app. It seeks to build a portfolio of entertainment products that connect people, cultures, and communities through accessible digital experiences.

With PlayLah, the company aims to introduce a product that offers creativity, enjoyment, and cross-cultural appeal. The platform’s launch is an important milestone, showcasing the team’s commitment to delivering high-quality entertainment.

Continuous Innovation and Long-Term Roadmap

The launch version of PlayLah is only the foundation. The development team has already outlined a roadmap filled with new features and improvements. Upcoming updates include real-time multiplayer games, social rooms where players can interact while playing, enhanced community tools, and new daily engagement systems. Seasonal events and themed challenges will further enrich the platform’s content, offering fresh experiences throughout the year.

Localization updates will gradually introduce multiple languages to support the platform’s global rollout. In the long term, the team is exploring tools that allow independent developers to contribute their own mini-games to the PlayLah ecosystem. This expansion has the potential to transform the platform into a dynamic creator-driven community.

Why PlayLah Stands Out

The mobile entertainment landscape is crowded, yet PlayLah stands out because of its clarity of purpose. It does not attempt to be a large, complex gaming universe. Instead, it focuses on what many players genuinely want: quick relief, simple joy, and accessible fun. In a world full of digital intensity and information overload, PlayLah acts as a refreshing contrast.

It serves students needing a quick break, professionals seeking a moment of relaxation, parents wanting light entertainment, and social groups who enjoy friendly challenges. Its strength lies in being simple without being shallow, social without being demanding, and entertaining without being overwhelming.

Conclusion

PlayLah’s official launch signals the beginning of a new chapter in casual mobile entertainment. By focusing on fast gameplay, friendly design, approachable mechanics, and social connectivity, the platform offers a refreshing and meaningful experience for players around the world.

As the platform continues to grow, evolve, and expand internationally, its core mission remains constant. PlayLah will continue delivering instant, joyful entertainment to anyone, anytime, wherever they are.

Media Contact
Company: VOLCANO ENTERTAINMENT PTE. LTD.
Contact Person: SHENG XIANG
Email: support@playlah.com
Website: https://playlah.com

Kingsoft Announces 2024 Annual and Fourth Quarter Results

– AI Technology Empowers Intelligence Office; Premium Game Strategy Continues
– Product Innovation Drives Strong Growth in Operating Profit

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

RMB’000For the yearended 31 DecemberFor the 3 monthsended 31 December
 2024 2023 20242023
Revenue10,317,9048,533,6112,792,4782,310,135
– Office software and services5,121,0754,556,5131,501,1811,285,691
– Online games and others5,196,8293,977,0981,291,2971,024,444
Gross Profit8,580,4767,030,3432,343,3441,896,250
Operating Profit3,646,6232,226,8821,106,890714,794
Profit Attributable to Owners of the Parent1,551,613483,457460,241205,435
Basic Earnings Per share (RMB)1.160.360.350.15


HONG KONG, Mar 19, 2025 – (ACN Newswire) – Kingsoft Corporation Limited (“Kingsoft” or the “Company”; HKEx stock code: 03888), a leading Chinese software and Internet service company, has announced its 2024 annual results and fourth quarter results for the period ended 31 December 2024.

For the year of 2024, the revenue of Kingsoft increased 21% year-on-year to RMB10,317.9 million. Revenue from the office software and services, and online games and others represented 50% and 50% of the Group’s total revenue for the year of 2024, respectively. Gross profit increased 22% year-on-year to RMB8,580.5 million. In 2024, the Group’s operating profit reached 3,646.6 million, a strong year-on-year increase of 64%.

For the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company’s revenue increased 21% year-on-year to RMB2,792.5 million. Revenue from the office software and services, and online games and others represented 54% and 46% of the Group’s total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2024, respectively. Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2024 increased 24% year-on-year to RMB2,343.3 million. The Group’s gross profit margin increased by two percentage points year-on-year and kept flat quarter-on-quarter to 84%.

Mr. Jun LEI, Chairman of the Company, commented: “Throughout 2024, we remained dedicated to technology empowerment, focused on strengthening our core capabilities, and achieved the milestone of surpassing 10 billion in revenue for the first time. Kingsoft Office Group focuses on the core strategic directions of ‘multiscreen, cloud, content, collaboration, AI’ and continues to increase investment in R&D in the fields of collaboration and AI. This drives product iteration and upgrades through innovation, creating a product system that better meets user needs, effectively enhancing its market competitiveness and industry influence in the intelligent office business. For the online games business, we deeply engage in classic wuxia IP, actively exploring new genres to provide users with diverse gaming experience.”

Mr. Tao ZOU, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, added, “The Group’s overall performance in 2024 was strong, achieving record highs in revenue, profitability, and core operating metrics. In 2024, the total revenue reached RMB10,317.9 million, a year-on-year increase of 21%. Among them, revenue from office software and services business was RMB5,121.1 million, a year-on- year increase of 12%. Revenue from online games and others business was RMB5,196.8 million, a robust year-on-year increase of 31%. In 2024, the Group’s operating profit reached 3,646.6 million, a strong year-on-year increase of 64%, and the operating profit margin increased from 26% in 2023 to 35%.”

BUSINESS REVIEW 

Office Software and Services

In 2024, revenue from the office software and services business increased 12% year-on-year to RMB5,121.1 million. The increase was primarily due to increased revenue from WPS individual and WPS 365 businesses. The increase of WPS individual business was mainly attributed to improved conversion rates, driven by the synergistic development of traditional and AI-powered features. As for the WPS 365 business, the revenue grew notably, since we continuously consolidated customer advantages in central state-owned enterprises, and accelerated penetration into private and local state-owned enterprises. Revenue from the office software and services business for the fourth quarter of 2024 increased 17% year-on-year to RMB1,501.2 million. The year-on-year increase was mainly attributable to WPS 365 and WPS individual businesses of Kingsoft Office Group. The increase of WPS 365 business was primarily due to the increased number of paying enterprises, supported by the enhanced AI and collaboration capabilities as well as the replication of typical industry solutions. The increase of WPS individual business was primarily driven by enriched the membership benefits including wide adoption of AI-powered features, which enhanced user experience and improved conversion rates.

In 2024, Kingsoft Office Group remained committed to a user-centric approach, continuously enhancing product features and services driving dual growth in both user base and monetization capabilities. For WPS domestic individual business, we accelerated the iteration of WPS AI and launched the WPS AI Assistant, empowering users with intelligent office capabilities. AI-powered enhancements were also integrated into WPS Office major components, significantly lowering the barrier to AI adoption. By the end of 2024, the number of daily active devices of WPS PC in the domestic market exceeded 100 million.  In overseas market, we prioritized expansion in high-value regions, leveraged differentiated value-added features to attract users.

For institutional customers, WPS 365 underwent a brand-new upgrade. It includes WPS Office, WPS Teams, and WPS AI Enterprise Edition, successfully integrating document management, collaboration, and AI capabilities to enable a one-stop AI-powered office solution. Additionally, we launched Kingsoft Government Office Model, and released WPS AI Government Edition, offering intelligent solutions for government.

For WPS software business, we advanced software legalization and domestic adoption, empowering government and enterprises in digital transformation. In localization, we strengthened our presence in government and key industries like finance, energy, and telecommunications, assisting clients in building secure, self-sufficient digital offices.

Online Games and others

In 2024, revenue from the online games and others business for the year of 2024 increased 31% year-on-year to RMB5,196.8 million. The significant year-on-year increase was primarily attributed to the strong performance of JX3 Online and anime game Snowbreak: Containment Zone. Revenue from the online games and others business for the fourth quarter of 2024 increased 26% year-on-year to RMB1,291.3 million. The notable year-on-year increase was mainly attributable to the solid performance from JX3 Online, as the launch of JX3 Ultimate  in 2024 further boosted players’ engagement, and the revenue contribution from the anime game Snowbreak: Containment Zone, driven by the continuous content updates.

In 2024, the online games business has achieved outstanding growth, with a record number of new users. JX3 Online achieved integration across platforms, further boosting players’ enthusiasm. The vitality of the JX3 Online IP continued to flourish, with its cultural ecosystem recovered, and has attracted a number of young players. World of Sword Origin, as a classic wuxia inheritance work, continued to operate stably and was deeply loved by players. Meanwhile, progress was also made in anime shooter game, Snowbreak: Containment Zone initially broke into new game genre through product positioning, continuous iteration, and user interaction.

Moving into 2025, we are set to introduce several new titles while continuing to refine our flagship game, JX3 Online. The sci-fi mech game Mecha BREAK, targeting the global market, is set to launch in the first half of the year. This title aims to break into the sci-fi mech genre and establish a new original IP, further enriching our game portfolio. And the Fate of Sword: Zero, the new mobile game from the classic Sword series, will be also released. The in-house developed shooter game Wild Assault, built with Unreal Engine 5, is expected to launch on platforms, including Steam and Epic Games Store in April.

Mr. Jun LEI concluded, “Looking ahead to 2025, we will continue to iterate on our core products and technologies to meet user needs and promote high-quality business development. Kingsoft Office Group will deepen AI adoption in office productivity, strengthen WPS 365’s capabilities, and expand global market reach. Targeting the global market, online games business will continue focusing on prime games, expand into new genres, and strive to create high-quality games that are deeply loved by players. We will adhere to technology empowerment, focus on product and service innovation, and create long-term value for our shareholders.”

About Kingsoft Corporation Limited

Kingsoft (3888.HK) is a leading Chinese software and internet service company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. It has three main subsidiaries: Kingsoft Office, Seasun Holdings and Kingsoft Shiyou. With the implementation of the “transformation toward mobile internet” strategy, Kingsoft has completed a comprehensive transformation in its overall business and management model. The Company has established a strategic layout with office software and interactive entertainment as its pillars, and cloud services and artificial intelligence as its new starting points. Kingsoft has over 8,000 employees worldwide and holds a significant market share domestically. For more details, please refer to http://www.kingsoft.com.

Kingsoft Investor Relations:
Li YinanTel: (86) 10 6292 7777Email: ir@kingsoft.com
For further queries, please contact Hill and Knowlton:
Ovina Zhu  Tel: (852) 5933 9083Email: kingsofthk@hkstrategies.com

Fourth Star Launches Immersive Media Streaming Platform

Don’t just watch the movie star, become the movie star!

Fourth Star, the cutting-edge virtual reality immersive media streaming platform, is officially available to the public. This innovative platform transforms traditional entertainment by enabling users to seamlessly watch standard 2D, 180 and 360 immersive media content and movies. Fourth Star redefines how audiences engage with immersive storytelling, offering an unparalleled first-person centric perspective on entertainment.

https://youtu.be/1qJvsRAJSr4

“Fourth Star is more than just a platform – it’s a revolution in entertainment,” said Greg Simon, Co-Founder & CEO of Fourth Star. “We’ve created an immersive experience where users can not only consume content but also actively participate in it. Our vision is to transform how people experience media content and movies in a way that has never been done before.”

A New Era of Interactive Entertainment
The largest immersive media streaming platform available on Sidequest, users can explore nearly forty unique environments, interact with AI-driven crew, and experience entertainment in an entirely new way. Fourth Star offers a groundbreaking approach to digital engagement, whether socializing in the Cafe, customizing avatars in private Apartments or Ships, or stepping directly into a movie’s storyline.

“The combination of VR, AI, and blockchain in Fourth Star sets a new standard for immersive entertainment,” said Craig Wiltshire, CTO of Fourth Star. “Our vision is to seamlessly integrate all three technologies into the user experience. We are redefining the entertainment experience from passive observation to active creation.”

Built for Content Partners
Fourth Star is a self-serve platform designed for content partners of all sizes, from individual creators to blockbuster studios. Content partners can set up an account, create content channels, and begin monetizing their work immediately. No integration is required, allowing for seamless onboarding and instant access to a global audience. The Creator Portal empowers partners to distribute and profit from their immersive media with ease, making Fourth Star a truly open and accessible metaverse for digital entertainment.

Key Features of Fourth Star

  • VR Streaming Platform – Users can access nearly forty environments and own their own luxury apartments and ships all equipped with an immersive media streaming entertainment hub. 
  • Social & Customization – Connect with others in dynamic social hubs, personalize your avatar, and invite your friends to your own luxury apartment and ship. 
  • Player Portal – Users can access the web-based marketplace to explore content, invite friends, 
  • Creator Portal – Set up an account, create content channels, and begin monetizing your work immediately. No integration is required, allowing for seamless onboarding and instant access to a global audience.
  • Blockchain Integration – The FSTR token, built on the Polygon blockchain, powers the ecosystem, providing secure transactions and exclusive rewards.
  • AI-Powered Companions – Coming soon

FSTR: The Utility Token Powering Fourth Star
FSTR serves as the primary ecosystem currency within the Fourth Star platform, enabling users to purchase Apartments, Ships, AI Companions, and exclusive content. Token holders benefit from:

  • VIP Access – Exclusive events, early screenings, and red carpet experiences.
  • Discounts – 25% savings on in-app purchases (IAPs) and entertainment content.

FSTR can be purchased today to unlock the above benefits and more at the Probit Global Exchange using this link: https://tinyurl.com/35jbbcxb

A New Paradigm in Entertainment
Fourth Star is designed to deliver the future of entertainment through merging cinematic storytelling with interactive gaming, offering:

  • A seamless transition from passive to interactive experiences.
  • A thriving community for players, creators, and investors.
  • Advanced AI integration for interactive AI characters.
  • Don’t just watch the star in the movie, become the star. 

Availability and Access
Fourth Star is now live and available for users worldwide on Sidequest. Whether you’re an explorer, content creator large to small, storyteller, or entertainment enthusiast, Fourth Star provides an immersive space to experience digital entertainment like never before.

About Fourth Star
Fourth Star was established in 2022 with platform design and environmental modeling. In 2023, focus turned to closed alpha and beta testing, alongside workshops with content creators. By Q1 2024, we launched the open beta, gathering feedback and introducing creators. In Q2 2024, we launched the FSTR, sold ships and apartments, and developed our creator and partner reward systems. In 2025, we’ll be launching ‘Genevieve’, an AI-powered comprehensive marketing system, advanced AI tools enabling the generation of immersive content and interactive storylines, AI companions, a creator reward system introducing virtual asset rentals, and interactive gamified blockbuster films.

For more information, visit www.fourthstar.com or follow us on social media.

Media Contact:
Greg Simon
CEO and Co-Founder
greg@fourthstar.com
XVerse Inc (DBA Fourth Star)
https://www.fourthstar.com/

Betting Big on Content: CMGE Steers Through Industry Waves with Robust Lineup

The success of Black Myth: Wukong, a game steeped in the Chinese cultural aesthetics, is underscoring the vast potential for top-tier IP games from China and igniting confidence for developing high-quality products with global appeal.

At a recent interim results briefing, CMGE (0302.HK) management noted that “The success of games like Black Myth: Wukong, Wuthering Waves, and Zenless Zone Zero has reinforced our commitment to producing cross-platform blockbusters under the strategy of self-development,  proprietary IP operation, and self-publishing.”

As the Chinese game tycoon with the largest IP portfolio, CMGE is doubling down on leveraging major IPs like Legend of Sword and Fairy and One Piece. With a strong focus on technological innovation, CMGE aims to deliver high-quality, long-lifecycle games that redefine the revenue patterns and outlive industry cycle.

Traveling Light: Lean Operations Drive Steady Profits
On August 28, CMGE unveiled its financial results for the first half of 2024, reporting a total revenue of RMB 1.23 billion, including 14.3% from overseas operations, and an adjusted net loss of RMB 208 million.

The first half of 2024 saw severe challenges and volatility across the game industry. In response, CMGE adopted a more prudent financial approach by accounting for impairments on certain investments, write-downs on prepayments for unlaunched games, and adjustments to non-operating financial assets.

Through this adjustment, CMGE expects to “travel light and pave the way for future profitability. It also shows CMGE’s ongoing commitment to developing premium games anchored by strong IPs.

Despite industry turbulence, CMGE’s core operations have remained profitable throughout the first half of 2024, thanks to its sharp focus on an IP-driven strategy that continuously strengthens  player viscosity. Impressive key operational metrics include 14.392 million MAUs, 47.297 million new registrations, and 1.027 million monthly paying users contributing an ARPPU of 200.2 yuan.

By business segment, publishing was a big revenue driver, generating 1 billion yuan in the first half of 2024. Soul Land: Shrek Academy topped the Apple Store’s free games chart within a month of its debut in January, pulling in a monthly revenue of over 100 million yuan. Fights Break Firmament: Peak Confrontation secured the second spot on the chart within a month of its debut in June, setting the stage for further growth in the second half of the year.

CMGE has made remarkable strides in global expansion, raking in 176 million yuan from overseas publishing, a year-on-year increase of 41.5%. A major contributor to this growth was the release of Legend of Sword and Fairy: Wen Qing an RPG card game based on the popular Legend of Sword and Fairy IP. Launched in December 2023 across Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, the game soared to the top of the Apple App Store’s free charts in all three regions, showcasing the lasting popularity of the Legend of Sword and Fairy series among Chinese-speaking players.

On the R&D front, CMGE reported an R&D revenue of 126 million yuan and an R&D investment of 110 million yuan in the first half of the year. Notably, R&D expenses dropped by 58.71% compared to the same period last year, thanks to the integration of AIGC into game development, which raised efficiency and reduced costs. Meanwhile, CMGE’s highly anticipated Sword and Fairy World is already under final test. Reductions in design and development costs inspire a more optimistic outlook on future profitability.

CMGE is intensifying its focus on the Legend of Sword and Fairy IP, strategically extending its influence into film, animation, and merchandise. This multi-faceted approach has consistently unlocked new revenue streams, enhancing the brand’s value and market presence. In the first half of this year, CMGE’s IP licensing revenue surged to 107 million yuan, marking a substantial 79% year-over-year growth. This impressive performance stems from a series of high-profile adaptations of the Legend of Sword and Fairy series, including Sword and Fairy 4, a TV series produced in collaboration with iQiyi; Sword and Fairy, a TV drama based on Sword and Fairy 6 and developed alongside Shandong Film and TV; and The Return of Xiaoyao, a reinterpretation of Legend of Sword and Fairy coproduced with Tencent Video. These adaptations have not only captivated audiences but also garnered critical acclaim, further solidifying the franchise’s stronghold in the market.

Leveraging its premier IP assets, CMGE has maintained steady growth while strategically streamlining its balance sheet through accounting impairments. This positions the company for renewed momentum in the competitive game industry.

All About the Game: Chinese-Inspired Sword and Fairy World Gears Up for Launch
For CMGE, thriving in shifting market cycles isn’t about short-term wins but about building long-term capabilities. The company’s “product-first” philosophy centers on delivering high-quality games based on top-tier IPs, helping it stand out in a crowded market and avoid the pitfalls of low-quality saturation. As CMGE Chairman Xiao Jian recently stated, “IP is more than just a cultural symbol—it’s a value system and almost a belief. In fact, it has become the cornerstone for creating competitive barriers in the game industry.”

A key example of this strategy is Sword and Fairy World, an open-world RPG rooted in the iconic Legend of Sword and Fairy IP. After more than three years of dedicated endeavor, the game has successfully secured licenses for both PC and mobile platforms, showcasing CMGE’s commitment to excellence.

Sword and Fairy World, a game derived from one of China’s most cherished IPs, features a vast and immersive open-world experience. Spanning 384 square kilometers, the game is rich in traditional Chinese cultural elements, allowing players to explore breathtaking landscapes—from the picturesque scenery of Jiangnan to the majestic peaks of Mount Shu and the mysterious miao regions. As Chinese cultural themes gain traction in gaming, insiders suggest that Sword and Fairy World has a chance of becoming a major hit, potentially rivaling titles like Black Myth: Wukong.

CMGE also employs immense efforts in elevating gameplay, doing all out to create a top-tier open-world RPG. On the one hand, it gives the best play to the cultural connotation of its IPs and keeps adding contents. On the other hand, it also invents new ways of gameplay, having introduced a unique pet collection system inspired by Chinese mythology and fantasy to innovate core gameplay. CMGE continues to upgrade visual fidelity and environmental realism to deliver a more immersive interaction and create a comprehensive, next-level player experience that resonates with both domestic and global audiences.

CMGE is setting a new standard for player immersion by integrating AI-driven NPCs into its upcoming games. These NPCs will react to the environment and engage in conversations that mirror real-world interactions, creating a vibrant, lifelike social ecosystem within the game. Players will also have access to advanced AI-powered customization tools, including facial recognition and voice modulation, allowing for more personalized expressions and interactions and sparking players’ creativity in the virtual world.

Building on the success of the renowned Legend of Sword and Fairy IP, Sword and Fairy World has repeatedly ranked among the “Most Anticipated Games” of 2024. Having successfully passed the first three tests, the game is nearing its final test before a full release later this year. The number of pre-registrations is already approaching 5 million and could surpass 10 million by the time of debut.

CMGE’s focus on IP-driven, premium games is paying off handsomely. By capitalizing on the popular Legend of Sword and Fairy IP and potential video and animated adaptations, CMGE is successfully broadening its audience base, enhancing user viscosity and lowering customer acquisition costs. This strategy positions the company for sustained profitability. A cornerstone of CMGE’s approach is its emphasis on open-world games, a growing industry trend that greatly increases user capacity and game lifecycle. Openness and creativity are set to drive higher player engagement and LTV. The eagerly awaited Sword and Fairy World, CMGE’s upcoming open-world title, will be available across multiple platforms, with the PC version projected to achieve a gross margin near 70%.

Industry analysts forecast that the launch of Sword and Fairy World will notably increase the share of long-cycle products in CMGE’s lineup. This not only highlights the lasting value of the Legend of Sword and Fairy IP， but also redefines the traditional profitability trajectory for games, paving the way for sustained, high-revenue growth. With this forward-thinking strategy, CMGE is primed for enhanced profitability and long-term financial success.

Growth on the Horizon: CMGE’s Strong Pipeline Set to Fuel Expansion
CMGE is ramping up its global expansion and refining its product lineup to bolster the stability and predictability of its long-term growth. With an impressive slate of titles set for the second half of 2024, CMGE is gearing up to enhance its performance reliability.

In the second half of 2024, CMGE’s publishing division will make a significant impact with a series of high-profile IP-based game launches. Key upcoming titles include Soul Land: Space and Time Reversal , Daily Life of Chat Group, Naruto: Konoha Masters, New Romance of the Three Kingdoms: The Legend of Cao Cao, Country Love: Business Life , Chunqiu Mystery, and the casual mini-game Sanqian Huanshi. The recent launch of Soul Land: Shrek Academy in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan on August 22, 2024, soared to the top of the Apple App Store’s free charts in all three regions during its debut week. Looking ahead, CMGE is planning to release Smash and Code: FA in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan and bring Dynasty Warriors: Hegemony to the Japanese market in the second half of the year. With these strategic moves, CMGE aims to solidify its position and drive continued growth across key global regions.

CMGE is betting big on its internal development to fuel growth in the second half of the year. Leading the charge are key titles including Sword and Fairy World and World of Castellan , which will benefit from expanded promotional efforts, alongside a new installment in the iconic franchise, Code: Dark Night Legend. These self-developed games are expected to make a substantial impact on the company’s overall performance.

“Strategy is not predicting the future. Instead, it’s about making decisions today to be ready for an uncertain tomorrow,” analysts emphasize, channeling Peter F. Drucker’s wisdom. CMGE exemplifies this with a robust IP-driven, product-first strategy. By honing in on high-quality game development, the company is building a unique competitive moat to secure long-term stability and eventually outlive industry cycle.

For further information, please contact:
PEANUT MEDIA LIMITED
Direct Line: +86-755-61619798 x8210
Email: hswh.project@czgmcn.com 

Understanding CMGE’s (0302.HK) Path to Stable Growth from its Mid-term Report

On August 28, CMGE (HKG: 0302) held its mid-term performance conference for 2023. Xiao Jian, the Executive Director, Chairman and CEO of CMGE, announcing H1 2023 results, said CMGE’s revenue reached RMB 1.535 billion, with a year-on-year growth of 24.6%; the profit attributable to the owner of the parent company during the period was RMB 56.824 million, and the net profit after adjustment was RMB 76.168 million, achieving a year-on-year turnaround.

In terms of the KPI, the monthly average active users of CMGE in the first half of 2023 increased to 15.627 million, with a year-on-year growth of 22.3%; the number of new registered users reached 48.683 million, with a year-on-year growth of 26.9%. The monthly average number of paid users and the monthly average revenue per paid user (ARPPU) also realized a year-on-year growth of more than 20%.

It is worth noting that the cost reduction and efficiency enhancement measures of CMGE have achieved new results continuously. Thanks to the application of AIGC technology, outsourcing costs in the independent R&D and distribution work of CMGE have been reduced by more than 30%, driving a decrease in the proportion of administrative expenses, while keeping the sales expense rate within 10%, further verifying the quality of growth.

In fact, in terms of a long term, CMGE has always been maintaining a stable rhythm, and its uniqueness lies in the stability. In several cycles, CMGE still maintains a consistent strategy and values: uphold the values of “integrity and trustworthiness, transparency and openness, deep thinking, and long-term strategy”, and adhere to the mission of “casting high-quality products with love”, becoming a company that is always full of love and creativity!

The stable operation of CMGE has become an example of long-term strategy: as a Chinese gaming company, CMGE deeply understands the needs of players, adheres to the unique advantages for a long time, insists on doing difficult and correct things, and relies on endogenous motivation to achieve long-term and stable commercial growth.

Long-term strategic layout: building long-term competitive barriers with IP as the core
The strategy of CMGE is to focus on IP and provide high-quality IP games for global players through independent and joint R&D, creating a highly competitive IP game ecosystem. It is understood that as the No. one player in the domestic IP game field, CMGE has outstanding advantages in accumulating copyright in IP game, including its own IPs represented by Legend of Sword and Fairy and Richman, as well as authorized IPs such as Rakshasa Street, One Piece, Dragon Ball Z, Hokage Ninjia, Hitman Reborn, and Soul Land.

“We believe that IP will definitely become an important resource and barrier to competition in the gaming industry,” Xiao Jian stated at the conference.

In the second half of 2023, in the game market, it has become a consensus that the content will be refined and the cost for traffic and customer acquisition will continue to rise. Under the long-term trend of this industry, the value of CMGE’ long-term layout around well-known IPs is accelerating to emerge.

According to the analysis of Anxin Securities, it is believed that IP games have relative advantages over non-IP games in terms of user acquisition, version approval, and profit potential. High IP awareness, wide fan base, and high “absorption” ability can effectively reduce the cost for game customer acquisition. IP has a clear worldview and mainstream values, and the version number has a higher “approval rate”. IP based medium to heavy games have a longer lifecycle and greater payment depth. In summary, IP games have a higher success rate than regular games.

The financial report shows that in the first half of the year, CMGE achieved the intellectual property authorization revenue of approximately RMB 59.81 million, with a year-on-year growth of 94.4%. Among them, in the development of the IP for Sword and Fairy, CMGE comprehensively covers games, film and TV, anime, content literature, music, derivatives, and live entertainment and other fields, and collaborates with top partners in related fields to create an IP universe for Sword and Fairy.

Long-term independent R&D: reserve AIGC technology and adhere to independent R&D of products
The gaming industry is shifting from a traffic-based one to a content-based one. With the deepening trend of high-quality products in the gaming industry, excellent products have become the focus of competition.

Independent R&D is necessary for creating high-quality products. In addition to consolidating the IP core advantages, CMGE is also continuously enhancing its independent R&D capabilities, increasing R&D investment, exploring core independent technologies, building its own R&D team, and forming major R&D teams such as Starry Sky, Wenmai Interactive, SoftStar Technology, and Zhoujing Network. Data shows that in the first half of 2023, the investment in the R&D of CMGE was RMB 266.9 million, with a year-on-year growth of 30.6%.

A typical example is Sword and Fairy World. In order to create the first open world metaverse game with the theme of Chinese Paladin world, CMGE took 3 years for independent R&D and have invested RMB 300 million totally. At the same time, CMGE actively explored the AIGC technology empowerment, became one of the first-batch ecological partners of Baidu’s “ERNIE Bot” in March, and reached cooperation with Microsoft in cloud computing, big data, Azure OpenAI and other fields in May to develop applications such as intelligent NPC and UGC+AIGC, so as to provide an immersive experience of “everything can interact” for players of Sword and Fairy World.

After years of persistent R&D and investment, CMGE is entering a harvest period of independently developed games.
In the second half of the year, the highly anticipated Sword and Fairy World has obtained a dual-end edition No. and is expected to be launched within 2023. At the same time, the integrated SLG game City Lord’s World developed by Wenmai Interactive has entered the final testing stage. It successfully obtained a version No. in February 2023, and is planned to be exclusively released by Sanqi Mutual Entertainment in Q4 2023; the high-quality competitive sports game All-people Free Style independently developed by Zhoujing Network also obtained a version No. in May 2023, and is expected to be launched within 2023.

Epilogue
Looking ahead to the second half of the year, CMGE still shows a trend of high certainty and steady growth.

In terms of distribution business, the first large-scale multiplayer role-playing mobile game Soul Land: Shrek Academy, which is developed based on the IP of Soul Land, will be launched by CMGE in Chinese Mainland in the second half of the year; Besides, a simulated mobile game adapted based on the IP of Rural Love, named Rural Love Story, will also be launched.

In terms of R&D business, multiple independently developed games of CMGE have obtained version No. and entered the final testing stage before being launched online, including City Lord’s World, All-people Free Style, and Sword and Fairy World.

In terms of IP operation, CMGE continues to explore the IP value of Sword and Fairy in film and TV, animation, and novels, and has reached a long-term strategic cooperation with Tencent Video to jointly create the race track of Chinese Paladin world and IP of Sword and Fairy; Collaborates with iQiyi on the film and TV drama Sword and Fairy IV; Collaborates with CITIC Publishing House to release a series of works on historical versions of Sword and Fairy as physical books. As the ecological value of IP universe of Sword and Fairy continues to expand, the growth space for IP licensing revenue is further opened up.

In 2022, due to the impact of the epidemic and version No., the China’s gaming market experienced a double decline in revenue and users for the first time in the past decade. However, according to the 2023 China’s Game Industry Report for the Period from January to June, the actual sales revenue of the China’s game market in the first half of 2023 was RMB 144.263 billion, with a growth of 22.16% month on month. Obviously, there are signs of a rebound in the gaming market.

The gaming market is still a large market with hundreds of billions of dollars annually. The emergence of new technologies such as AIGC has also brought new impetus to the industry. However, no matter how the gaming market changes, CMGE insists on putting players at the center and IP at the core, working steadily, releasing and producing every high-quality product to bring players the ultimate gaming experience. The time will eventually witness the victory of our long-term strategy.

For further information, please contact:
PEANUT MEDIA LIMITED
Direct Line: +86-755-61619798 x8210
Email: hswh.project@czgmcn.com

Kingsoft Announces 2023 First Quarter Results

  • Kingsoft Office Group Actively Explores the Practical Application of Artificial Intelligence
  • Online Games Business Made Progress in Iterating Core IPs

Kingsoft Corporation Limited (Kingsoft or the Company; HKG: 3888), a leading Chinese software and Internet service company, has announced its unaudited quarterly results for the three months ended 31 March 2023 (period under review).

During the period under review, the revenue of Kingsoft increased 6% year-over-year to RMB1,970.3 million. Revenue from the office software and services, and online games and others represented 53% and 47%, respectively, of total revenue. Gross profit increased 8% year-over-year to RMB1,625.4 million.

Mr. Jun LEI, Chairman of Kingsoft, commented, “We had a good start in the first quarter of 2023. Kingsoft Office Group actively explores and promotes the practical application of artificial intelligence (“AI”) technology, invests in related R&D, and continues to empower the digital transformation of institutional and individual users. Online games business further enhances the value of original IPs and remains committed to the strategy of developing premium games.”

Mr. Tao ZOU, Chief Executive Officer of Kingsoft, added, “The Group’s businesses remained steady in this quarter, with total revenue reaching RMB1,970.3 million, increasing by 6% year-on-year. Revenue from office software and services business reached RMB1,051.7 million, up 21% year-on-year. Both domestic individual office subscription and institutional subscription businesses experienced robust growth during this quarter, demonstrating the significant effect of the subscription transformation.

In face of the technological transformation brought about by generative AI and large language models, Kingsoft Office Group focuses on the AI field, collaborates with companies engaged in the large language models and concentrates on core businesses to excel in the application layer. Centering on the needs of organizational users, we continue to leverage the advantages of the digital office platform, actively promote the digital transformation and upgrading for organizations of all sizes, and empower their digital construction. In April 2023, we launched WPS 365, a comprehensive package of office software suitable for a wide range of institutional users, which includes powerful office software and collaboration management capabilities aiming to improve their work efficiency. In order to achieve high-quality development of individual office subscription business, we consistently enhanced the user experience of our products in cross-platform scenarios like cloud and collaboration and reconstructed the membership system in April.

Online games business made progress in iterating core IPs. Based on the high-quality expansion pack launched in the fourth quarter of 2022, our flagship JX Online III achieved an increase in new users, expanding the user base. At the same time, the number of daily active users and revenue of JX Online III increased year-on-year in the first quarter of 2023. At the end of February 2023, a new expansion pack of JX World III mobile game released, together with effective marketing and promotions, stimulated the game’s vitality and improved user experience. At the end of March 2023, World of Sword Origin mobile game was initially launched in Vietnam. Upon its launch, it topped both the free and grossing charts in local iOS and Android stores. Our anime mobile games, Snowbreak: Containment Zone and The Other Shore, are scheduled for launch in the second half of 2023.”

BUSINESS REVIEW
Office Software and Services
For the first quarter of 2023, revenue from the office software and services business increased 21% year on-year to RMB1,051.7 million. The year-on-year increase was mainly due to the robust growth of domestic individual office subscription business, and rapid growth of domestic institutional subscription business of Kingsoft Office Group, partially offset by the decrease in domestic institutional licensing business. The solid growth of domestic individual office subscription business was primarily attributed to the continuous optimization of cloud and collaboration user experience. The fast growth of domestic institutional subscription business was mainly driven by the continuous upgrades of digital office solutions and service quality, as well as the ongoing process of promoting cloud integration and collaborative office in government and enterprises. The decrease in domestic institutional licensing business was mainly due to the relatively high base in the first quarter of 2022 and reduction in new purchase orders on localization solutions in the current quarter.

Online Games and Others
Revenue from the online games and others business for the first quarter of 2023 decreased 6% year-on-year to RMB918.7 million. The slight year-on-year decrease was primarily due to a natural decline in revenue from the mobile games such as JX World III and JX I: Gui Lai, which had a relatively high revenue base in the first quarter of 2022. The decrease was partially offset by the revenue growth from JX Online III, which was attributed to our continuous efforts in enhancing user engagement and in-game consumption through game content updates and operations optimization.

Mr. Jun LEI concluded, “We adhere to technology-driven business. Looking forward, Kingsoft Office Group will continue to cultivate in AI, fully leveraging new technologies to drive the reconstruction and pattern innovation of office products and services. Online games business will continuously adjust and optimize products and services in response to player needs, improve games’ reputation, introduce more unique gameplay and content, and further strengthen players’ recognition and confidence in our core IPs. We are committed to creating long-term value for our shareholders by enhancing our core competencies.”

About Kingsoft Corporation Limited
Kingsoft is a leading software and Internet services company based in China listed on the stock exchange of Hong Kong. It has three main subsidiaries including Kingsoft Office, Seasun and Kingsoft Shiyou. Following the implementation of its “mobile internet transformation” strategy, Kingsoft has completed the comprehensive transformation of its overall business and management models, and formed a strategic platform with office software and interactive entertainment as the pillars and cloud services and AI as the new directions. The Company has around 7,000 staff around the world and enjoys a large market share in China. For more information, please visit http://www.kingsoft.com.

Kingsoft Investor Relations:
Francie Lu Tel: (86) 10 6292 7777 Email: ir@kingsoft.com
For further queries, please contact Hill+Knowlton Strategies Asia:
Ovina Zhu Tel: (852) 2894 6315 Email: kingsoft@hkstrategies.com

ShineGlobal Social Networking Market Report 2022: ByteDance, Match Group, Newborn Town & More Lead Industry Trends

Social networking establishes the connection and interaction between people. Entering the Internet era, social networking products bring everyone closer to each other. For Internet companies, social networking products are closest to people and can build an infinite commercialization derivative space based on the relationship chain, which is why this business looks both sexy and real.

Recently, ShineGlobal, a global industry think tank, released the “Global Audio and Video Social Networking Market Report 2022” which provides a detailed overview of the global audio and video social networking market size, market segmentation in 2022, and the industry development trends in 2023.

After the epidemic, audio and video social networking has undoubtedly become the most popular product format in the sector, and more and more developers are eager to have a try. In addition to TikTok, a short-video app that has successfully achieved globalization in recent years, audio and video social apps such as Match Group’s Azar, Joyy’s Bigo Live, and NewbornTown’s MICO have gradually become the main force of globalization.

1. Audio and Video Social Networking Has Become the “Rigid Demand” for Users Around the World
In 2022, although our offline activities gradually restored, the online life is still a major trend, and people continue to migrate their life scenes from offline to online. Social networking, as an indispensable part of people’s daily life, has maintained a rapid growth. Currently, most social networking products on the market have incorporated audio or video features with strong immersion, making users, especially the young, more dependent on these products.

According to Frost & Sullivan’s forecast, the global social media market size is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.1% from 2021 to 2024, with a CAGR of 27.6% for video social market size and 25.8% for audio social market size. The growth rate of audio and video social far exceeds the overall growth rate of online social market. It is expected that by 2024, the overall size of the global social media market will reach US$300 billion, of which the audio and video social market size is US$181.3 billion. Video social is expected to reach US$128.7 billion, accounting for 42.8%; audio social is expected to reach US$52.6 billion, accounting for 17.5%.

Currently, the normalization of the epidemic has driven a high increase in users’ time spent on social media in almost every country and region. In social apps, there is an average of 325% year-over-year growth in usage time per user. This trend is also reflected in the number of downloads. According to Branch, downloads of social apps saw rapid growth at the beginning of the outbreak, and maintained a stable trend afterwards.

In terms of market performance, global audio and video social app downloads are mainly from countries such as India, the US, Brazil, and Indonesia, while users from countries in the Middle East, Africa, and other emerging markets are embracing audio and video social products most rapidly.

In addition, the Report lists in detail the mega apps and established apps in each segment of the audio and video social networking, as well as products that have achieved rapid growth since 2022. For example, in “Sociality + Live streaming”, Bigo Live and MICO are at the top. In “Sociality + Voice Call”, Litmatch has grown rapidly in the past year, and its cumulative downloads exceeded 45 million in the first 10 months of 2022. In “Sociality + Game”, WePlay is recognized as the product that has rapidly captured the hearts of young users in many markets around the world in the past year.

2. ByteDance, Match Group, NewbornTown and Joyy Group Have Stepped Out of Various Successful Routes
It’s easy to get a social app to gain the favor of a group of people, but it’s tough to get it popular in multiple countries around the world and become an integral part of their social entertainment lives. Gaining a firm foothold in multiple regions and developing into a global social product cannot be achieved without innovative product ideas and mature operation methods. ByteDance, Match Group, NewbornTown, and Joyy Group have been able to stand out from the fierce competition by putting on unique “armor” for their products.

ByteDance: Copying + Localization
We can say, the most successful global social product in recent years is TikTok. In the harsh international environment, its global monthly active users exceed 1.5 billion, making it not only the fifth largest social app in the world, but also overturn the landscape of online video social networking. In the US and UK, the average monthly usage time of the app has exceeded that of YouTube, affecting the entire mobile ecological landscape and stimulating the rise of a number of short-video platforms, such as India’s MX TakaTak and Moj, both of which were ranked in the top 10 apps with breakthrough in downloads by data.ai. Today, ByteDance has made TikTok a threat to YouTube, Snapchat and Instagram.

TikTok has leveraged some of the strategies that have proven successful in China. Previously, Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, gained traction by using “hashtag challenges,” such as its partnership with Haidilao Hot Pot to call on users to create their own hot pot recipes. Such regular region-specific events proved to be a sustainable strategy for user growth. In the US, TikTok partnered with famous American host Jimmy Fallon’s hit show to launch the “#TumbleweedChallenge”, which brought TikTok great exposure.

In terms of market selection, the first phase of TikTok’s globalization layout chose to be in Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia. Zhang Yiming, the founder of ByteDance, believes that Japan is a market where overseas products are not accepted easily, so Japan can be a litmus test for globalization to some extent. If Japanese users can accept a product, then users in Southeast Asia and other Asian countries can also accept it.

In August 2017, TikTok landed in Japan and set up its first overseas office there. In just three months, TikTok reached the first place in the list of free apps in App Store in Japan, and then topped the same list in Thailand in January 2018. Subsequently, TikTok could be found in the top 10 most-downloaded apps in many Southeast Asian countries. Then, TikTok directly began to expand into the North American market, and gradually expanded from North America to other markets.

TikTok’s success is also based on its understanding of local users. ByteDance has adopted a polycentric-oriented strategy when expanding to different markets at the same time. The reason is obvious: The algorithm-driven product model is applicable and standard, but video content is not, so ByteDance set up subsidiaries in different countries to make TikTok better localized and launched different versions of TikTok to users.

NewbornTown: Brand Marketing Based on Local Conditions
NewbornTown also made localized development as its competitive advantage. It has been on the road to globalization since 2013 and has built a mature and replicable system for globalized operations, enabling its products to land quickly in key markets and grow efficiently with localization. In the past year, the company has further rooted itself in regional markets and continued to deepen its localized operations.

To expand its brand presence in different countries and regions, and to make users not feel that they are using a foreign product, MICO, NewbornTown’s live-streaming social app, is conducting brand marketing campaigns in different markets to suit local cultures and customs.

In the US, MICO provided a platform for local rap fans to show themselves, shooting music videos for contest winners; in Japan, MICO held joint events with local soccer clubs; in Thailand and Vietnam, MICO joined hands with famous local musicians to create theme songs and shoot music videos, which have created a wave of discussion in local social media; in the Middle East, MICO held industry media gatherings and creators’ conferences, to promote a positive perception of the online social entertainment industry in the local community, and promote the development of the industry in the Middle East.

Today, MICO is the head live-streaming social product in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and is rapidly expanding in North America, Japan and South Korea. Through a mature and replicable globalized operation system, NewbornTown’s customer acquisition efficiency and operation efficiency have been continuously improved, and it has surged in the global social market.

Match Group: Acquisition After Acquisition
Match Group, a global dating giant, is the parent company of Tinder. After launching Tinder in 2012, Match Group has acquired a number of dating apps such as Meetic, Plenty of Fish and Hinge. In 2021, Match Group acquired Hyperconnect, a Korean social media company, for US$1.73 billion, which was Match Group’s largest acquisition to date.

Hyperconnect’s core product is Azar, which has grown to become the highest-grossing one-on-one video social app in the world. According to Match Group’s CEO Shar Duby, 75% of Hyperconnect’s revenue and users come from Asia, just to complete Match Group’s regional strategic footprint.

In addition to complementing the markets, Match Group is also looking at its “live video” technology. Previously, Match Group’s apps were still based on profile matching and swipe-matching, and this acquisition may be more of a complement of product type.

It can be said that Match Group is a dating company that grew up by self-operation and acquisition at the same time. Through self-development + acquisition along the way, Match Group is now a huge dating empire with dozens of dating products such as Tinder, Match, Hinge, Meetic, OkCupid, Pairs, Plenty Of Fish, OurTime, Azar, The League, and others.

Joyy Group: Cost Reducing and Efficiency Enhancement, Back to the Essence of Business
In the midst of the overall global economic downturn and the decline in users and revenue of online products, the audio and video social industry continues to grow. However, in 2022, the user growth rate of many audio and video social products declined, and one of the reasons for this phenomenon is that many companies cut costs and increased efficiency, greatly reducing their investment in marketing.

In this regard, several practitioners expressed the same view. Most of them believe that in 2022 many social companies reduced costs and increased efficiency, returning to the essence of business. The person in charge of an audio technology service provider said that since the last year, with the increasing cost of customer acquisition, many products have shifted from the pursuit of user growth to the pursuit of revenue generated by users, focusing more on cash flow.

Take BIGO, the global business of Joyy Group, as an example, in the second quarter of 2021, BIGO’s revenue reached US$598 million, with total costs + expenses of US$570 million and adjusted net profit of US$19.44 million, an adjusted net margin of 3.3%. In the second quarter of 2022, BIGO’s revenue reached US$503 million, with total costs + expenses of US$445 million. However, its adjusted net profit reached US$86.3 million, with an adjusted net margin of 17.2%. It is widely believed that cost reduction and efficiency enhancement is one of the reasons for the steady growth of BIGO’s earnings.

To conclude, many social industry practitioners believe that the product format of “Sociality + X” and products focusing on a certain vertical group will have more opportunities for development, and it will be difficult to see the competitive pattern of one single player getting dominance.

We still believe that there will be a lot of globalized social products in the future, and we are all looking forward to the birth of the next “TikTok”.

For further information, please contact:
PEANUT MEDIA LIMITED
Direct Line: +86-755-61619798 x8210
Email: hswh.project@czgmcn.com

Kingsoft Announces 2022 Interim and Second Quarter Results

  • Kingsoft Office Group Continues to Pursue “Multi-screen, Cloud, Content, AI and Collaboration” Product Strategy
  • Online Games Business Maintains Focus on Premium Game Strategy

Kingsoft Corporation Limited (Kingsoft or the Company; HKG: 3888), a leading Chinese software and Internet service company, has announced its unaudited 2022 interim results and its second quarter results for the period ended 30 June 2022.

For the first half of 2022, the revenue of Kingsoft increased 21% year-on-year to RMB3,687.2 million. Revenue from office software and services business increased 15% year-on-year to RMB1,795.7 million. Revenue from online games and others increased 28% year-on-year to RMB 1,891.5 million. Revenue from office software and services and online games and others represented 49% and 51%, respectively, of total revenue for the first half of 2022. Gross profit for the first half of 2022 increased 18% year-on-year to RMB2,970.0 million, while operating profit amounted to RMB918.2 million.

For the second quarter of 2022, the Company’s revenue increased 24% year-on-year to RMB1,834.2 million. Revenue from office software and services business increased 18% year-on-year to RMB924.6 million. Revenue from online games and others business increased 31% year-on-year to RMB909.6 million. Revenue from office software and services and online games and others represented 50% and 50%, respectively, of total revenue for the second quarter of 2022. Gross profit for the second quarter of 2022 increased 22% year-on-year to RMB1,467.7 million, while operating profit increased 82% year-on-year to RMB418.7 million.

Mr. Jun LEI, Chairman of the Company, commented, “Despite the challenges posed by the recurrence of the pandemic, we remained focused on our strategy and achieved satisfactory results in our core businesses. Kingsoft Office Group is committed to empowering the digital transformation of institutional users while enhancing the cloud office user experience for individual users. We focus on technological empowerment, product innovation, service enhancement as well as marketing channel and eco-system expansion. Meanwhile, we continue to pursue the product strategy of ‘multi-screen, cloud, content, artificial intelligence (“AI”) and collaboration’ and have achieved good operational performance. Regarding our online games business, we adhere to a strategy on premium games and focus on technology innovation, as well as constant cultural facets enrichment, which promote further game development.”

Mr. Tao ZOU, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, added, “For the second quarter of 2022, the Company’s revenue increased 24% year-on-year to RMB1,834.2 million. Driven by the growth of subscription revenue from individual and institutional subscription businesses, our office software and services business increased by 18% year-on-year during the second quarter of 2022. Our online games and other business increased by 31% year-on-year during the second quarter of 2022, primarily driven by the contribution of mobile games launched in the fourth quarter of 2021 such as JX World III and JX I: Gui Lai.”

BUSINESS REVIEW
Office Software and Services
During the quarter, the revenue of office software and services increased 18% year-on-year to RMB924.6
million. Individual subscription business sustained growth momentum. Based on the continuous enhancement of cloud office experience, Kingsoft Office Group developed and introduced various new functions dedicated to specific scenarios to drive the active use of cloud services and continuous increase in subscription payment. We remained focused on attracting more long-term paying users and the number of premium subscribers continued increasing.

In response to the government departments demand for digital management, end-to-cloud integration and mobile office, our products are highly compatible with government office systems, which assist the government in achieving informatization gradually and realizing centralized document management, effective and efficient file application, collaboration features, security control etc. In response to soaring demand for digital transformation among enterprises, our core products focus on solving pain points such as uploading documents to the cloud and ensuring file transfer security through continued optimization and the assistance of quality customer services.

Kingsoft Office Group has closely monitored the localization industry trend. As the localization gradually penetrates into local government, we take the initiative to tap those markets. Driven by favorable policies and industry demand, our penetration in the industry localization continues to increase. In addition, demand for integrated end-to-cloud products from customers in the localization industry, such as finance, energy and telecommunications, also continues to grow. We have further optimized the re-flowable and fixed-layout document format standards of our localization products to provide an efficient and integrated user experience, which would further strengthen the competitiveness of our products.

Kingsoft Office Group continued to strategically play down its advertising business by reducing the number of advertising spaces and the frequency of push notifications. Since we strived to improve the quality of clicks and reduce user interference, our advertising business was undergoing a steady and gradual decline.

Online Games and Others
During the quarter, the revenue of online games and other business increased by 31% year-on-year to RMB909.6 million. Our flagship JX Online III PC game remained stable. Upon the launch of the non-deleting test in China at the end of last year, JX World III maintained an outstanding reputation and a high popularity among gamers. In addition, the game launched in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan during the quarter and achieved an excellent performance.

Looking ahead to the third quarter, we launched the open beta across all platform and a new section for JX World III and will celebrate the 13th anniversary of JX Online III PC game. Through continuous content upgrade and technology innovation, we strive to sustain the vitality of our core I P. Meanwhile, we also uphold our corporate responsibility and continue to explore the social value of our games. Biphase, our initial self-developed charity game which focuses on bipolar disorder, has received multiple awards and acclamation from international gaming authorities upon its debut overseas last year. In addition, the game has also received the license approval in July this year and is scheduled for launch in China.

Mr. Jun LEI concluded: “In the second quarter, we embraced the change of the complex environment and achieved further development by continuously enhancing our products and services. Looking ahead, the Group will adhere to technological empowerment, maintain our investment in R&D and enhance operational efficiency. We will keep focusing on our core strategies, adhere to integrity and innovation to empower our users and partners and create long-term returns for our shareholders.”

About Kingsoft Corporation Limited
Kingsoft is a leading software and Internet services company based in China listed on the stock exchange of Hong Kong. It has three main subsidiaries including Kingsoft Office, Seasun and Kingsoft Shiyou. Following the implementation of its “mobile internet transformation” strategy, Kingsoft has completed the comprehensive transformation of its overall business and management models, and formed a strategic platform with office software and interactive entertainment as the pillars and cloud services and AI as the new directions. The Company has more than 7,000 staff around the world and enjoys a large market share in China. For more information, please visit http://www.kingsoft.com.

Kingsoft Investor Relations:
Francie Lu Tel: (86) 10 6292 7777 Email: ir@kingsoft.com
For further queries, please contact Hill+Knowlton Strategies Asia:
Ovina Zhu Tel: (852) 2894 6315 Email: kingsoft@hkstrategies.com

World’s Biggest Deal for Humanoid Robots Inked

Robotics innovator Beyond Imagination, Inc. has entered into an agreement with SELF Labs, Inc. to provide at least 1,000 humanoid robots for use in agricultural “grow boxes”‘. This is believed to be the largest deal of its kind.

SELF and Beyond are announcing a partnership to develop automated off-the-grid grow boxes. Each box will be equipped with solar panels, windmills, atmospheric water generators, 5G, and an advanced version of Beyond Imagination’s Beomni robot with its Omni-Purpose AI Brain. By aligning the visions of Milan Cheeks of SELF and Dr. Harry Kloor of Beyond, this futuristic take on farming will be made possible through a uniquely powerful combination of Omni-Purpose AI, humanoid robotics, blockchain, and game technology.

The deal with SELF represents one of the largest agreements to purchase humanoid robots in the world. Cheeks says that “We are committed to purchasing at least 1,000 robots in the next five years, but if the effectiveness of our combined technology is as we project, that number could easily grow to ten thousand or more.” According to a recent report by Markets and Markets, the humanoid robotics market will reach an estimated USD 17.3 billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 63.5% between 2022 and 2027. The agreement with Beyond is in alignment with this prediction. Dr. Kloor commented, “Beyond Imagination expects to represent a billion USD or more of that market share by 2027, and with our partnership with SELF Labs we are well on our way to that goal.”

Each grow box will be connected to a SELF Labs-powered trivia-based simulation game called Cultivate Coin, which allows users to choose a role, learn about farming and the growing process, learn how to operate a grow box business, earn rewards, and most of all take part in the growing process virtually.

The Beomni Omni-Purpose AI powered humanoid robots supplied by Beyond will work autonomously inside of the boxes to tend to the growing crops. The boxes will run on solar energy, and by using atmospheric water generator technology will not require any outside sources for power or water, making them self-sufficient.

Video: https://youtube.com/shorts/OhHB6xmLu3c?feature=share

Most robots are targeted at narrow verticals or are merely elaborate R&D demos. Beomni is different. Its thinking general-purpose robotics platform learns from human pilots who train its AI Brain to tackle increasingly sophisticated tasks autonomously. Beomni, combined with Beyond’s Cloud Platform and evolving AI, can tackle limitless tasks without requiring special peripherals like industrial robots. Beomni is a fully mobile robot that is designed to work safely around humans. It is the world’s first fully functional general-purpose robotic system, and the first to be beta tested at a medical facility. According to Dr. Kloor, “Working with SELF and its community will enable us to rapidly train Beomni’s AI Brain to plant, care and tend, harvest, and box the crops in SELF’s grow boxes.”

Beomni has advanced significantly since it was revealed at CES in 2022. In April, the company demonstrated that Beomni can be operated from anyplace in the world. Additional prototyping and on-site evaluation projects are currently underway. The version Beyond will deploy in the grow boxes will be even more advanced, and will be part of Beyond’s 2.0 product line of Beomni robots.

“I’m excited to bring this idea to life!” said SELF Labs founder Milan Cheeks. “Adding decentralization and automation to the farming industry will benefit everyone. While there is no single solution to solve world hunger, our automated off the grid grow boxes is one tool that will go a long way in meeting the UN’s goal to reach zero hunger by 2030.”

The first box will be crafted at Box For Grow in New Hampton, NY. Once assembled, it will begin operation for use within the United States.

About SELF Labs

SELF Labs is an incubator that focuses on transitioning companies and individuals from Web 2 to Web 3. By investing and providing products that gamify life, we are able to create a form of entertainment while solving the world’s major issues. SELF Labs is on a mission to remove the hardships in life and provide products and services to bring a more leisurely lifestyle to everyone on the planet.

Founded in 2016, SELF has built its own private Blockchain called SELF Chain. SELF Chain is lifestyle blockchain that hosts a suite of reward tokens that users can earn on the Mirror Image One Gaming Console.

For more information and partnership inquiries, reach out to hello@selflabs.xyz

About Beyond Imagination, Inc.

Beyond Imagination, Inc. is a robotics and AI platform company that is focused on bringing humanoid robots to market rapidly to solve real-world problems. By partnering a human pilot with an evolving Omni-Purpose AI Brain, we are able to deploy our Beomni Robotics platform across a wide range of commercial applications. Our initial focus is in two sectors, agriculture and surgical assistance.

Founded by leading innovators in AI and robotics, and strengthened by a solid patent portfolio, Beyond Imagination, Inc. is poised to revolutionize life and fundamentally change the way we work, travel and engage with others around the world.

Beyond Imagination is continuing to take advanced orders and is always open to strategic partnerships and investments from qualified investors.

For photos and videos, see our media page at www.beomni.ai/media and our latest short video here: https://vimeo.com/717147889/634a211922. Our Press Kit may be found at www.beomni.ai/press-kit/

Source: Plato Data Intelligence: Platodata.ai

AppsFlyer launches comprehensive guide on gaming apps in collaboration with Facebook Gaming

AppsFlyer and Facebook Gaming have launched an exclusive playbook for gaming app marketers. Introducing Gaming Apps: Strive and thrive with AppsFlyer and Facebook Gaming on iOS 14+, this playbook will set clear pathways and set gaming app marketers up for success.

In today’s privacy-first era, gaming app marketers are constantly navigating the evolving landscape with updates to performance marketing strategy, while planning to stay ahead of the curve. Particularly to tackle the changes for users of iOS devices, advertisers have had to make several changes to adapt to new iOS 14+ policies.

Showcasing the best practices and solutions for gaming app marketers and advertisers, the AppsFlyer and Facebook Gaming playbook provides insights to tackle the challenges of iOS 14+ from 3 different perspectives: Optimizing the App Tracking Transparency (ATT) prompt, maximizing SKAdNetwork (SKAN) measurement, and unifying data streams.

This playbook also contains recommendations from Facebook Gaming derived from a comprehensive directory on SKAN configuration, campaign setup, and campaign management, to help marketers achieve and scale their gaming app marketing success.

To learn more about the playbook and gain pro tips to utilizing tools available for maximized marketing and advertising performance, visit: Gaming apps: Strive and thrive with AppsFlyer and Facebook Gaming on iOS 14+

About AppsFlyer

AppsFlyer, the global attribution leader, helps brands make good choices for their business and their customers through innovative, privacy-preserving measurement, analytics, fraud protection, and engagement technologies. Built on the idea that brands can increase customer privacy while providing exceptional experiences, AppsFlyer empowers thousands of creators and 9.000+ technology partners to create better, more meaningful customer relationships. To learn more, visit www.appsflyer.com

Media Contacts
PRecious Communications on behalf of AppsFlyer
appsflyer@preciouscomms.com

Media Contacts for AppsFlyer South East Asia
Annisa Tiara
annisa.tiara@appsflyer.com