Source: Zhitong Finance
Author: Wang Jie

On December 7, the Sensor Tower store intelligence platform showed that in November 2023, a total of 37 Chinese manufacturers were shortlisted in the top 100 global mobile game publisher revenue list, drawing a total of 1.87 billion US dollars, accounting for 38.3% of the revenue of the world's TOP100 mobile game publishers in this period.

With the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, the global mobile game market grew rapidly, driven by stay-at-home dividends, and stabilized after reaching its peak in January 2021. In 2023, dividends declined at an accelerated pace. In the first half of the year, the global mobile game market's monthly revenue showed a year-on-year downward trend. Revenue from January to June was US$38.6 billion, down 4.2% year on year, down 10% from the first half of 2021. Many game manufacturers have had to adjust their business strategies to get through the slump period in the industry.

However, entering the second half of the year, the global mobile game market once again experienced a year-on-year increase in monthly revenue. From July to November, it recorded revenue of 31.7 billion US dollars, a slight increase of 2.2% over the previous year. The upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays are the period when global mobile game revenue is highest every year. Manufacturers that are actively developing the global mobile game business may be the first to see the industry pick up.

Top 30 mobile game publishers in China by revenue

$TENCENT (00700.HK)$The two-dimensional shooter RPG mobile game “Victory: Nikki”, which was distributed in overseas markets, celebrated its first anniversary in early November. With the introduction of new characters, new fashions, and various events, game revenue surged 117%. Since November last year, the mobile revenue of “Lady Victory: Nikki” has exceeded 600 million US dollars, of which 60% of the revenue comes from the Japanese market, making Tencent one of the top ten in the revenue rankings of mobile game publishers in the Japanese market, further opening up the commercial market in overseas markets.

Over the past year, global SLG mobile game monthly revenue has shrunk by 8%. “Whiteout Survival” (Whiteout Survival) has achieved strong growth through a unique ice and snow theme, combining business simulation and survival gameplay. In November, revenue increased 5% month-on-month, reaching a new high, winning 10% market share of overseas SLG mobile games, and the publisher DianDian Interactive ranked 4th in the list.

Morning and Evening Lightyear launched the sci-fi survival RPG mobile game “Planet: Restart” in the Chinese market in mid-November. After launch, it topped the Chinese iPhone mobile game download list for 1 week in a row and quickly entered the top ten bestsellers, increasing the publisher's revenue by 24.5% over the previous month, ranking 2 places to 9th place.

On November 7, the Japanese version of “Tomorrow's Ark” and the “2023 Big Appreciation Festival/Fall” event began. On the same day, the game topped the Japanese iPhone mobile game bestseller list, and revenue in the Japanese market increased 240% month-on-month in November. On November 15, the two-dimensional mahjong mobile game “Sparrow Soul” and “Magical Girl ☆ Elia” were jointly launched. On the same day, the game also topped the Japanese iPhone mobile game bestseller list, and November revenue increased 333% month-on-month. Driven by these two games, publisher Youxing Network's revenue increased by 65.7% in November, reaching the top 5 to 10th place.

Deeply involved in the Japanese market, games distributed by Youxing Network have established operating barriers on multiple vertical tracks, forming a unique competitive advantage. Since January 2023, “The Blue Files” has ranked 3rd in the Japanese Squad RPG mobile game bestseller list, second only to “Jay Maiden” and “Goddess of Victory: Nikki”; “Tomorrow's Ark” and “Sparrow Soul” are at the top of the tower defense and mahjong mobile game bestsellers, and “The Blue Slayer”, which has been on the market for the longest time, remains number 2 in the best-selling mobile game of the pop shooter. The strong performance of these games has enabled UXing Network to rank 8th in the revenue ranking of mobile game publishers in the Japanese market, which is full of local giants.

The combined revenue of mobile games such as “Gossip Harbor” (Gossip Harbor) and “Seaside Escape” (Roaming Town) under Lemon Weibo increased across the board, bringing the publisher's revenue to a new high, ranking 2 places to 22nd place.

The mobile version of “Killing in the Three Kingdoms” launched the Double Eleven campaign on November 11. Driven by Epic Warlords, Epic Skins, and massive benefits, this classic game, which has been on the market for over 10 years, reached a record high of sales on the same day, ranking 7th in the best-selling iPhone mobile game in China. Publisher Travel Card Network's revenue in November increased 40% month-on-month, returning to 29th place on the list.

The SLG mobile game “Civilization and Conquest”, which was launched by 4399 Games in overseas markets at the end of October, has performed excellently in various markets such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, South Korea, and Japan, making it the highest-grossing mobile game product under the publisher. The revenue of 4399 games on mobile devices increased 47% month-on-month, returning to 30th place in the list.

Following its launch in the Chinese market in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau in August, the Pixel-style chess mobile game “Sword of the Valley: For This Peaceful World” was publicly tested in the Chinese market on November 23, causing the publisher Xindong Network's revenue to increase 24.5% month-on-month in November

In addition to the list, the Chinese mobile game publishers shortlisted in the top 100 in global revenue are Xindong Network, Goat Games, Smart Star Connect, Yisai, Youku Shengshi, in that order,$Perfect World (002624.SZ)$ with $Yalla (YALA.US)$ There are 37 manufacturers in total.

Top 20 mobile game revenue on the App Store in China

With the launch of the 4.2 version of “Sinner's Dance Walk” on November 8, “Genshin” set a record for the highest daily sales since this year, and topped the Chinese iPhone mobile game bestseller list for 2 consecutive days. In November, the game's mobile revenue increased 33% month-on-month, returning to fourth place on the list.

“Battle for the Golden Shovel” launched a new season and limited items for “Battle of Strong Voices” on November 24. On that day, the game's daily turnover reached its 2nd peak this year, ranking 2nd in the Chinese iPhone mobile game bestseller list for 5 consecutive days, increasing monthly revenue by 50% over the previous month.

The “Tomorrow's Ark” National Service 2023 “Thank You Celebration” series of events began on November 1. On that day, the game topped the 2nd place in the iPhone mobile game revenue list in China, the second peak in daily turnover since this year, after May 1. Developer Eagle Horn Network's revenue in November reached 5 times that of October, returning to 24th place in the publisher revenue list.

The official Stone Age IP licensed mobile game “Stone Age: Awakening”, which was publicly tested on October 26, had a steady revenue performance and was shortlisted for 15th place.

editor/tolk