The release of the last batch of 105 domestic game versions in 2023 has excited the entire game industry. For the first time, the number of single approvals for game versions exceeded 100, releasing a positive signal that the competent authorities support the prosperity and healthy development of the online game industry.
Looking back at the release of game versions in 2023, the frequency tends to be stable, and the total amount has doubled, the highest number in the past three years, which has greatly boosted market confidence. So, behind these 1075 game versions, what are the important signals worth paying attention to?
The number of editions has "skyrocketed" and doubled
According to the statistics of the Aoyi News reporter, a total of 1,075 games will receive version numbers in 2023. Among them, in addition to the domestic online game version number that was not announced in August, the remaining 11 months have been approved for domestic game versions, and the number of domestic online game approvals in December exceeded 100 for the first time in the year, pushing the number of annual online game versions to exceed 1,000, drawing a perfect end to 2023 and bringing greater hope to 2024.
Screenshot of the official website of the National Press and Publication Administration.
Compared with previous years, 748 game versions will be issued in 2021, 512 in 2022, and 1,075 in 2023, which is not only more than 2021, but also twice as many as last year, and the number has increased significantly. At the same time, this is also the first rebound after five consecutive years of declining edition numbers from 2018 to 2022.
There has also been a breakthrough in the number of imported game versions. According to statistics, from 2021 to 2023, the number of imported game versions will be 76, 44, and 98 respectively, and the number in 2023 will also be the highest in the past three years.
Overall, the frequency and number of game version releases throughout 2023 will be stable. The normalization of the distribution of edition numbers indicates that the stability of the edition number policy has gradually increased, and the game market has rebounded significantly.
In this regard, the Game Working Committee of the China Audio and Digital Association also recently issued a document stating that the release of the last batch of more than 100 domestic online game versions in 2023 has strongly demonstrated the clear attitude of the competent authorities to actively support the development of online games. Since 2023, the stable issuance and steady growth of version numbers have reassured the majority of game companies, and now game companies are focusing more on market exploration, model innovation, self-research innovation and technological innovation, and actively exploring overseas markets. With the approval rhythm of "normalization + great strength" of the version number, the high-quality game is increasingly becoming the mainstream trend of high-quality development of enterprises.
The big factories have gained a lot in the competition for edition numbers
Judging from the 1075 online game versions issued in 2023, large manufacturers have gathered and gained a lot.
Tencent is the big winner of the game version, from "Dawn Awakening: Vitality", "White Night Aurora" and "Yuanmeng Star" in January to "Counter War: Future" in December, the version number harvest has been throughout the year. At the same time, Tencent is among the two approved lists of imported game versions announced in 2023.
With the increase in the number of game licenses, Tencent has obtained more and more version numbers. In terms of quantity, according to incomplete statistics from reporters, Tencent has obtained nearly 20 game versions throughout the year, a significant increase from 6 in 2022.
Among them, "Dawn Awakening: Vitality", "White Night Aurora" and "Yuan Dream Star", which got the version number in January 2023, have all been launched, and "Yuan Dream Star" will be officially launched on all platforms on December 15, 2023, becoming a "king bomb" at the end of the year. According to the December 2023 game monthly report released by Qimai Data, the game has occupied the top of the free game list in the App Store for a total of 16 days, that is, it has been at the top since its launch, and its performance is eye-catching. Tencent also announced that it would invest 1.4 billion yuan in publicity for promotion, attracting many players to flock to "Dream Star".
NetEase has also obtained more than 10 game versions in 2023, and has also gained in the issuance of two imported game versions, including "Extraordinary Pioneer", "Fantasy Journey to the West: Time and Space", "Condor Shooting", "Firefly Assault", "Poetry of the Four Directions", "Sixteen Voices of Yanyun", etc. At the same time, in the first batch of new version number change information in 2023, a mobile version number has been added to "Against the Cold".
Among the games that have obtained the version number, except for the mobile game "Against the Cold" and "Extraordinary Pioneer", none of them have been launched, among which the much-talked-about martial arts masterpiece "Shooting the Condor" will officially start the "three-terminal roaming" test on January 12, 2024, which may be the last test before going online.
The official promotional image of "Shooting the Condor".
In 2023, miHoYo, the "King of Traffic", will get 2 game version numbers, namely "Honkai: Star Dome Railway" and "Jeopardy Zero". Among them, "Honkai: Star Dome Railway" will be launched on April 26, 2023, and according to Sensor Tower statistics, the game's global revenue has exceeded $100 million within 10 days of its launch, surpassing the performance of "Genshin Impact" in the same period, becoming another "hit" game of miHoYo.
At the same time, miHoYo's other new game "Jeopardy Zero" also got the version number in October 2023 and is expected to be launched this year. This is also a two-dimensional game, but it is different from miHoYo's currently launched works in terms of game style, so it has also gained the attention of a large number of players. Judging from the data on the official website, the number of reservations for the game on the whole network is close to 20 million, which is huge.
Screenshot of the official website of Jeopardy Zero.
Under the giants, mid-waist game companies such as Thunder Interactive, XD Company, CMGE, 4399, and Duoyi Network have also gained a lot, and Zhongqingbao has obtained a total of 35 games as a publishing unit.
In general, with the recovery of the number of game licenses, the pressure on the number of game manufacturers has decreased, releasing a positive signal of healthy development.
Many Internet companies have entered the game field
Interestingly, in the version issued in 2023, the scope of game companies has become wider, and there are many figures outside of traditional game companies.
In September, October, and December, the company owned by the social platform Soul, Yimen Technology, got the game version of "Werewolf Awakening", "Fantasy Planet" and "Bomb Meow", Didi got the game version of "Heartbeat Farm" in December, and Baidu Duoku got the game version of "Happy Chinese Cuisine" and "The Legend of Yanhuang Heroes" in April and December respectively.
"Werewolf Awakening" is the first game version number obtained by Soul, and then "Fantasy Planet" and "Bomb Meow" were reviewed, and 3 game versions were obtained in just four months, reflecting Soul's determination to develop the game business.
It is understood that Soul has been exploring the integration of games and social products, exploring the social mode of gamification, and hopes to help users socialize through the gamified experience. Therefore, growing the gaming business is a step that Soul is trying to distance itself from ordinary social platforms.
As the largest travel platform in China, Didi Chuxing has been expanding into new business areas in recent years. Tianyancha App shows that on May 31, 2023, Beijing Juxing Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Didi Chuxing, underwent industrial and commercial changes, and its business scope added small and micro bus leasing and operation services, car wash services, Internet game services, etc. Half a year later, Didi got the game version number of "Heartbeat Farm", which means that Didi Chuxing does intend to enter the game industry.
Some analysts believe that the current mobility business has limited room for growth, so Didi Chuxing needs to find new growth points and profit models to maintain its competitiveness and market position.
However, whether it is to help the development of their own business or to find a new profit model, the phenomenon of Internet companies entering the game field one after another shows that everyone still has high expectations for game products.
In November 2023, Kuaishou first exposed their self-developed game "Sleepwalking", which attracted great attention. It is understood that this game has invested hundreds of millions of dollars, rooted in the roguelite track, and has no small ambitions. From entering the game live broadcast to self-developed games, the high-profile entry of short video giants into the game industry shows the market's confidence in the long-term future development of the game industry.
According to the latest "2023 China Game Industry Report", the actual sales revenue of the domestic game market in 2023 will exceed the 300 billion mark for the first time, and the number of users will reach a new high, reaching 668 million.
With positive signals from many parties, the game market in 2024 is worth looking forward to.
Written by: Aoyi News reporter Lin Sisi