The Zhitong Finance App learned that on May 28, Gamma Data released the “Monthly Report on China's Game Industry for April 2024". Data show that in April 2024, the actual sales revenue of the Chinese game market was 22.432 billion yuan, down 4.21% from the previous month and 0.27% from the previous year. The mobile gaming market was the main source of the decline. The actual sales revenue of the Chinese client-side game market reached 5.642 billion yuan, up 2.06% month-on-month and 1.47% year-on-year. The increase was brought about by dual-end interconnection products. The actual sales revenue for games developed independently by China in the overseas market was US$1,418 million, down 0.65% from the previous month and up 7.03% from the previous year. This is an increase compared to new games. “Persona: The Phantom of the Night” took first place in the top 5 of Gamma Data's new monthly revenue estimates list, with a total of 4 IP-adapted games on the list.

In April 2024, the size of China's game market was 22.432 billion yuan, down 4.21% from the previous month and 0.27% from the previous year. The overall size of the market declined slightly. The decline was mainly affected by the mobile game market. The growth in early operating activities of some products declined, and the effect of new products boosting the market was not yet evident; the client-side game market grew, but the increase was limited, making it difficult to offset the decline.

In April 2024, the size of the client-side game market market size increased by 5.642 billion yuan in the provision of dual-end intercom products

In April 2024, China's client-side game market was 5.642 billion yuan, up 2.06% month-on-month and 1.47% year-on-year. There has been a slight increase in the size of the client-side game market. On the one hand, the increase is due to the good performance of products such as “Eternity”. On the other hand, the increase in sales volume of dual-end intercom products and the launch of new products have also contributed to the increase in the client-side game market.

The size of the mobile game market in April 2024 was 15.905 billion yuan, a slight year-on-year decline

In April 2024, the actual sales revenue of the Chinese mobile game market was 15.905 billion yuan, down 6.18% from the previous month and 1.93% from the previous year. The mobile game market showed a year-on-year downward trend, mainly due to a decline in early operating activity for some products, and product sales such as “Crossing the Line of Fire: King of Shootout” and “Against the Cold” all declined markedly. Furthermore, sales of new products were not reflected this month, making it difficult to offset the decline.

Top 10 gamma data mobile game turnover calculation list

The new version of “Genshin” boosts the flow and “Fifth Personality” enters the TOP10

In April 2024, the ranking of 4 products rose in the top 10 gamma data mobile game sales calculation list, and the ranking of 3 products remained unchanged. In April, the new version of “Genshin”, “Two Realms Are Fire, Red Night Will Extinguish”, launched a new story and scene, and the limited-edition five-star character “Arechino” was launched. This character is highly popular, and the related PV received over 4 million views on Bilibili. Thanks to the version update, Genshin rose 7 places in the ranking this month. “The Fifth Personality” began its 6th anniversary this month, and related themed events were launched simultaneously. The results of the event were quite good. For the first time, the game entered the top 10 gamma data mobile game sales calculation list.

Note: Top 10 mobile games are the top ten products in the gamma data mobile game turnover calculation list. The Gamma Data mobile game traffic calculation list is a product turnover ranking calculated by Gamma Data (CNG) through research, checking financial reports, monitoring the list, and constructing models. The product flow is the total turnover before channels such as iOS, Android, and jailbreak were split. It does not include overseas market turnover. The data is for reference only.

Distribution of the top 50 game genres

The turnover of both MOBA products increased, and the turnover share of strategic (including SLG) products declined significantly year-on-year

In April 2024, among the top 50 mobile games, MOBA products “Wang Zhe Rongyao” and “League of Legends Mobile Game” all increased year-on-year; the share of interactive storytelling products also increased. All three products were newly added to the streaming TOP50. Among them, “Love and Deep Space” brought more year-on-year increases. The significant year-on-year decline in strategic (including SLG) turnover share is still mainly due to “Three Kingdoms: Strategic Edition”.

Distribution of the top 50 game IPs

Client game IP adaptation The leading product performed better in the opposite direction of console/stand-alone game IP adaptation product turnover and quantity share changes

In April 2024, the sales share of client-side game IP adaptation products in the TOP50 mobile games was influenced by a combination of old and new products. On the one hand, the volume of long-term operating products such as “Peace Elite”, “Battle of the Golden Shovel” and “Journey to the West” increased year-on-year; on the other hand, the client-side game IP adaptation of this year's new products “Against the Cold” and “Ragnarok: Love Is Like First Seeing” brought an increase. The share of console/stand-alone game IP adaptation products has declined, and the number has increased. Sales were mainly affected by the year-on-year decline in sales of “Three Kingdoms: Strategy Edition” and “Call of Duty Mobile Game”. Two new console/stand-alone game IP adaptation products were added over the same period last year.

Statistics on discontinued mobile game products

The number of discontinued products increased significantly from month to month

In April 2024, the number of mobile game products discontinued increased 200% month-on-month. Discontinued products include the IP-adapted product “All-Star Fighter”. Additionally, NetEase Gaming and 37 Mutual Entertainment products were discontinued this month.

Top 10 iOS channel download estimates

“Happy Fishing Master” tops the list of two new games

Among the top 10 iOS channel download estimates in April 2024, the new product “Happy Fishing Master” reached the top in March, and two new models entered the list this month. “Happy Fishing Master” is a management simulation game. It uses a lightweight simulation of real fishing gameplay and adds a gyroscope function to throw a rod. Players can throw a mobile phone to pull the rod, and related action videos are very popular on short video platforms. In April, it reached the top of the App Store free game list for 20 consecutive days. This month's new game “Persona: The Phantom of the Night” is a sequel to the “Persona” series and also launched on PC. The game is based on the worldview of “Persona 5,” and the game uses a Japanese turn-based RPG gameplay.

Hot game advertising analysis

“Things are completely new”

“Wu Hua Mi Xin” was launched on April 19. There was a small amount of advertising in the early stages. The number of advertisements began to increase 2 days before launch, and peaked the day after launch. The media platforms that advertise games are fairly balanced. The five media platforms, including Youlianghui Alliance, Tencent News, and QQ, all had an advertising share of over 10%.

Top 5 first-month newcomers

“Persona: The Phantom of the Night” surpassed 100 million yuan in the first month, 4 IP-adapted games in the TOP5

In April 2024, in Gamma Data's first-month revenue estimates, only “Persona: The Phantom of the Night” had an estimated first-month turnover of over 100 million yuan. Four IP adaptation products were on the list, and the IP types were all different. “ONE PIECE: Dream Pointer” was first in the iOS free list when it went live. The game uses vertical screen 3D modeling, and innovatively added gameplay such as “skill cards” and “substitutions” on the basis of turn-based gameplay.

Status of the top 200 new games that have entered the iOS Daily Bestseller List

The number of new games on the list increased 300% month-on-month

In April 2024, the number of new games that entered the iOS Daily Top 200 Bestsellers was 16, an increase of 300% over the previous month. It includes a variety of IP adaptations and two-dimensional games.

Analysis of user reviews of recently launched new games

“Persona: The Phantom of the Night” ratings are polarized

Within the statistical date, the App Store rating distribution for “Persona: The Phantom of the Night” was polarized, with five-star and one-star ratings accounting for about 50% and 30%, respectively. Judging from the content of the review, in the positive reviews, players were satisfied with the richness of the game's plot, in line with the world view and gameplay of the previous game; negative reviews mainly focused on game optimization issues, and players believed that issues such as the game crashing, heating, and stuttering still needed further optimization.

Actual sales revenue of games developed independently by China in overseas markets

Self-developed overseas market revenue declined slightly month-on-month but increased year-on-year

In April 2024, the actual sales revenue of games developed independently by China in the overseas market was US$1,418 million, down 0.65% from the previous month and up 7.03% from the previous year. Looking at specific products, revenue from leading products such as “Three Kingdoms: Strategic Edition”, “Collapse: Starlight Railway”, and “Peace Elite” all declined month-on-month. “The Legend of the Mushroom Hero” revenue did not continue to grow this month; furthermore, the performance of the new tour was poor.

Game changes in overseas markets

“Sword and Expedition: Departure” achieved growth in the first month, and two new games entered the TOP10 growth list

In April 2024, “Sword and Expedition: Departure” reached the top of the top 10 product sales growth in key overseas markets. The game was launched in late March, and the advantage of the length of launch in April made it grow significantly. As a sequel to the “Sword and Expedition” series, the game changed the art style from 2D to 3D, and added a “season-based” gameplay to achieve excellent market performance. “Daredevil” and “The Blue File” started a limited-time collaboration, and launched a special joint Jaguar, special effects costume, and academy festival event at the same time. Thanks to the effects of the joint event, game traffic increased significantly. “Knights of the Sky” is a new game on the list. The game was launched in the Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and Singapore Malaysia markets, and reached the top 4 best-selling games in the Macau App Store in China.

Top 10 iOS channel overseas download estimates

“Last War: Survival Game” continues market performance, and few light games make the list

In the top 10 overseas download estimates for iOS channels in April 2024, “Last War: Survival Game” continued to have an advantage at the top, with less advantage in light gameplay. “Alice's Wonderland” is new on the list. The game uses “Alice in Wonderland” as the main story line, and a “ring puzzle” side gameplay is added to the core synthetic gameplay to drive the game's progress. The download performance was excellent this month.

Top 5 most recent iOS channel overseas download estimates

New shooting games reach the top IP, linkage, and spokespersons are the main operating methods

In April 2024, the new shooting product “Zombie Brawl - Potato Shooter” reached the top of the iOS channel's overseas download estimates, and the new IP adaptation game “Persona: The Phantom of the Night” reached the top 2. “Daotian Record” was mainly launched in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. At the beginning of the launch, a joint activity was carried out with Lan Palace in Dajia Town, Taichung, and three influential spokespersons in the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan markets in China were invited to conduct publicity. The operation achieved certain results.