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Game Weekly: The first batch of imported online game version numbers will be issued in 2023; Regulations on online game advertising have become stricter

author:21st Century Business Herald

Cai Shuyue, reporter of the 21st Century Business Herald, reported from Shanghai

In early spring, it is still warm and cold. What notable events have happened in the gaming industry this week?

In terms of the overall trend of the game industry, two batches of domestic and imported version numbers have been issued one after another this week. According to the statistics of the 21st Century Business Herald reporter, in the first quarter of 2023, a total of 271 domestic online game version numbers and 27 imported online game version numbers were approved, and a number of products developed by game companies have obtained version numbers. The stable issuance of the edition number has released the signal of industry recovery.

Domestic game companies are constantly dynamic. The earnings season has arrived, and the head game company Tencent announced its fourth quarter and full year 2022 earnings. The "Sentimental Direction" mobile game "Moore Manor", originally operated by Thunder Network, a subsidiary of Gigabit, will hand over the operation right to the developer Taomi Network after the contract expires. In addition, Xunyou Technology filed an arbitration application with the Chengdu Arbitration Commission for Tiancheng Investment and Tianyu Investment for "failing to perform performance compensation obligations in accordance with the agreement", with a total amount of 294 million yuan. There was also an embarrassing incident, on the first day that "Ming Tide" developer Kuluo Technology launched the player community, it was discovered by sharp-eyed players that the user agreement was suspected of plagiarizing Mihayou, and Kulo publicly apologized the day after the incident fermented.

Article 12 of the Measures for the Administration of Internet Advertising was released this week, which states that online game advertisements and other information that are detrimental to minors' physical and mental health must not be published on websites, web pages, Internet applications, official accounts and other Internet media aimed at minors. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology also disclosed 55 apps that infringed on user rights and interests this week, of which 7 apps such as "Talking Tom Cat" are related to the game field.

This week, a number of overseas game masterpieces also announced the latest developments, such as V announced that "Counter-Strike 2" will be launched this summer, and Blizzard's "Diablo" new game "Diablo 4" also announced a test date. Ubisoft announced a new artificial intelligence tool "Ubisoft Ghostwriter", which will be introduced in the game development process.

In terms of esports, this week Riot Games announced the schedule and venue information of the Tokyo Masters, the second international event of its esports event Valorant Champion Tour, with 12 teams from around the world competing over 12 match days from June 11 to 25.

Game Weekly: The first batch of imported online game version numbers will be issued in 2023; Regulations on online game advertising have become stricter
  • In 2023, the first batch of imported online game version numbers will be issued, and a total of 27 models will be approved

On March 20, the official website of the State Press and Publication Administration announced the list of the first batch of imported online game version numbers in 2023. A total of 27 imported online games were approved this time, including 23 mobile version numbers, 4 client version numbers and 1 game console version number (the above data includes games that have obtained multi-terminal version numbers at the same time). Among them, imported online games such as "Monster Watch 4 Enhanced Chapter" under Beijing Zhuoyi Max Technology Co., Ltd., "World in the Picture" and "Legendary Mage" under Xindong Network, and "Azure Files" under Youxing Network were successfully approved.

  • In March, 86 domestic game versions were released, including Tencent, Netease, and Dream World

On the evening of March 23, this month's domestic online game version number was released as scheduled. This time, a total of 86 domestic online games have obtained version numbers, of which 82 have obtained mobile version numbers, 7 have obtained client version numbers, and 2 have obtained game console version numbers (the above data includes games that have obtained multi-terminal version numbers at the same time). It is worth mentioning that Tencent and NetEase are still not absent, this has been the two major manufacturers for five consecutive months to obtain version numbers, this time the approved version numbers include NetEase's asymmetric competitive game "Mission Zero", and Tencent's subsidiary action game "The Last Knife". In addition, games such as "Kalabichu" under Dream World, "Star Life Park" and "Kingdom Tinder" under 37 Interactive Entertainment, and "Phantom and Adventure" under Mupu Technology have been approved.

Nancai Review: The recent stable issuance of domestic editions, coupled with the quarterly issuance of imported editions, is reshaping the sense of security of the industry. In the first quarter of 2023, a total of 271 domestic online game version numbers and 27 imported online game version numbers were approved, and a number of key products developed by game companies obtained version numbers, releasing a signal of industry recovery.

Game Weekly: The first batch of imported online game version numbers will be issued in 2023; Regulations on online game advertising have become stricter
  • Tencent announced its 2022 full-year and Q4 financial results, with game revenue of 207.4 billion

On March 22, Tencent released its fourth quarter and full year 2022 financial report. According to the financial report, Tencent's revenue in the fourth quarter of 2022 was 145 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 1%, and its net profit was 106.27 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 12%; For the full year of 2022, revenue was 554.6 billion yuan, down 1% year-on-year, and net profit was 188.24 billion yuan, down 16% year-on-year.

In terms of the overall game business in 2022, financial report data shows that Tencent's mobile game revenue in 2022 will be 160.5 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 3% (including some mobile game revenue attributable to the social networking business); Client-side game revenue was RMB46.9 billion, up 4% year-on-year.

  • "Moore Manor" will change the operating entity and be transferred from Thunder Network to Taomi Game Publishing

On March 24, the official Weibo of "Moore Manor" mobile game pointed out that since the contract of the "Moore Manor" mobile game project published by Taomi Games authorized by Thunder Games is about to expire, after communication and coordination between the two parties, the cooperation will be terminated after the contract expires, and the operation right of this game will be transferred to Taomi Games. "Moore Manor" mobile game said that although the operator will be changed, it will not affect the normal follow-up of the game, and from now until the day the operator changes, it will still maintain a normal update rhythm to launch new content.

  • Xunyou Technology initiated an arbitration lawsuit against the shareholders of Qianlion Roar, involving an amount of 294 million yuan

On March 20, Xunyou Technology submitted an arbitration application to the Chengdu Arbitration Commission for Tiancheng Investment and Tianyu Investment for "failing to perform performance compensation obligations in accordance with the agreement", with a total amount of 294 million yuan. The case is a follow-up to the 2.7 billion acquisition of Chengdu Lion Roar by Xunyou Technology in 2017. Xunyou Technology said that Lion Roar achieved a net profit of about 460 million yuan from 2017 to 2019, but only completed 60.45% of the promised performance, and should perform its compensation obligations as agreed. In 2020, Xunyou Technology has issued a compensation notification letter, but so far the respondent has not performed as agreed. The case has not yet been heard and the outcome of the arbitration cannot be determined for the time being.

  • The user agreement of the "Kuluo Block" player community of Kulo Technology is suspected of plagiarizing Mihayou, and the former has apologized

On March 21, the player community "Library Block" under Kuluo Technology, the developer of "Ming Tide", was officially launched, but many users found that the word "Miha" appeared in the user agreement of "Library Block", and the overall content of the agreement was similar to the "Miyou Club" user agreement under Mihayou. On March 22, the Kujie project team issued an apology statement on its official Weibo, saying that in response to problems in the Kujie-related agreement, the Kujie project team said it had contacted Mihayou to explain the situation and apologize. At the same time, it is urgently dealing with the relevant terms of the agreement that are not well considered, and will update the version of the agreement as soon as possible; The new terms of the agreement will maximize the protection of creators.

  • Mihayu's new turn-based work "Honkai: Star Dome Railway" will be in public beta on April 26

On March 24, Mihayou's new work "Honkai: Star Dome Railway" was officially announced to open beta at 10 a.m. on April 26. The game pre-download will open on April 23, first on PC, Android, iOS, and then on Sony PlayStation. In addition, according to the live broadcast news of the Japanese region, the producer of "Star Dome Railway" will have a conversation with Japanese game manufacturer Falcom President Yoshihiro Kondo ("Locus", "Isu" series) and Atlus producer Katsura Hashino.

Game Weekly: The first batch of imported online game version numbers will be issued in 2023; Regulations on online game advertising have become stricter
  • The Measures for the Administration of Internet Advertising were promulgated, and the regulations on online game advertising became stricter

In order to effectively maintain the order of the advertising market, protect the legitimate rights and interests of consumers, and promote the sustainable and healthy development of the Internet advertising industry, the State Administration for Market Regulation recently revised and issued the Measures for the Administration of Internet Advertising (hereinafter referred to as the "Measures"), which will come into force on May 1, 2023.

The Measures set out stricter requirements for online game advertising. Article 12 points out that advertisements for medical treatment, medicines, health foods, formula foods for special medical purposes, medical devices, cosmetics, alcohol, and beauty, as well as advertisements for online games that are not conducive to minors' physical and mental health, must not be published on websites, web pages, Internet applications, official accounts, and other Internet media aimed at minors.

  • The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology reported that 7 apps that infringed on users' rights and interests were related to the game field

On March 22, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology notified a batch of apps that infringed on users' rights and interests, totaling 55 apps. Among them, it involves 7 products in the field of games, namely: GG Big Player, Pipa.com Game, Bubble Mobile Game, "Siege of the World", "Ace Machine Battle", "Talking Tom" and Haima Cloud Game SDK. Among them, "Talking Tom" involves "deceiving and misleading forced users".

Game Weekly: The first batch of imported online game version numbers will be issued in 2023; Regulations on online game advertising have become stricter
  • CS:GO sequel, Counter-Strike 2, will launch this summer

On March 23, Valve (aka V Society) officially announced the orthodox new sequel to the "Counter-Strike" series, "Counter-Strike 2" (also known as "Counter-Strike 2"). Developed using the Source 2 engine, the new game will be officially available this summer, and CS:GO players will receive free upgrades as a free alternative to CS:GO. Valve said it will conduct a closed limited edition test of CS2 starting with announcement date, which officials describe as "a complete rehaul of every system, every content, and every part of the CS experience." According to reports, the number of places will gradually increase during the closed beta period, mainly related to the recent official server play time, reputation points, account duration, etc.

  • Diablo 4 began testing on March 25

On March 22, PlayStation released a Chinese voice over trailer for Diablo 4, the latest game in Blizzard's "Diablo" series, inviting players to experience the beta version of the game for free from March 25 to 27. It is reported that "Diablo 4" will be officially released on June 6, 2023. Blizzard community manager Adam Fletcher reminded players that long queues were expected as part of the server stress test.

  • Ubisoft announced the introduction of AI technology during the game development phase

On March 23, Ubisoft released a new artificial intelligence tool, Ubisoft Ghostwriter, which it said it was developing to help it complete its in-game screenwriting work. This AI technology will be used to generate initial text that triggers NPC lines and surrounding crowd chats.

"While these lines and environments are central to immersing players in the game, our team tried to handle repetitive tasks as much as possible with AI to free up time for other core game elements." The R&D department noted.

Game Weekly: The first batch of imported online game version numbers will be issued in 2023; Regulations on online game advertising have become stricter
  • Valorant Tokyo Masters schedule announced

On March 20, Riot Games announced the schedule and venue information for the Tokyo Masters, the second international event of its esports "Valorant" Champions Tour, and 12 teams from around the world will compete over 12 match days from June 11 to 25 to qualify for this year's Global Championship in Los Angeles. It is reported that the Chinese team of this Tokyo Masters has a total of two places.

Produced by: Digital Entertainment Research Group of Nancai Regtech Research Institute

Author of this issue: Cai Shuyue

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