In early March 2026, a significant development emerged in the domestic animation IP sector. The core creative team behind the critically acclaimed animated film "Deep Sea" officially launched a game developer account named "October White Rabbit" on the day of the traditional Chinese solar term "Jingzhe" (Awakening of Insects). Simultaneously, they released a new concept video announcing plans to develop a game featuring the popular otter character from the film. This move not only marks a key step in the "Deep Sea" IP's expansion into interactive entertainment but is also seen by the market as a crucial part of Enlight Media's strategic shift from a content provider to a full-chain IP operator.
The expansion of the healing-themed IP "Deep Sea," directed by Tian Xiaopeng and produced over seven years, was released during the 2023 Spring Festival. It was jointly produced by October Culture and Light Chaser Animation, with distribution handled by Enlight Pictures. The film gained widespread industry attention for its pioneering "particle ink" technique, praised by media outlets such as Xinhua News Agency and China Film News for combining "Eastern aesthetics" with a "global vision." The otter character, with its adorable and lively design, quickly became one of the film's most popular figures, providing a solid audience base for the upcoming game.
According to the newly released concept video, the game will maintain the visually stunning and healing animation style of the original film, along with its acclaimed particle ink effects, ensuring visual consistency. The short video depicts the otters exploring the mysterious deep-sea world and collaboratively building the "Deep Sea Hotel," introducing a new adventure storyline. Notably, the team chose the "Jingzhe" solar term, symbolizing renewal and awakening, for the announcement, reflecting their hopes for a new beginning in the IP's cross-media expansion.
For the "Deep Sea" IP, the most commercially valuable asset is not the storyline—which had sparked some debate upon the film's release—but its unique visual industrial system. The film's core innovation lies in its "particle ink" technique, which merges the fluidity of ink painting, granular light scattering effects, and 3D animation—a complex process highlighted in numerous behind-the-scenes reports. In an interactive gaming environment, this rendering language can be translated into various game mechanics, such as using light beams for navigation, particle density to indicate risks or rare resources, and integrating light, particles, and ink tones into collectible, synthesizable, and area-activation systems. This approach allows for sustainable gameplay loops without relying heavily on combat, making visual asset reuse the core advantage of the "Deep Sea" game adaptation.
The "Deep Sea" game project is part of Enlight Media's increasingly clear strategic transformation. According to industry sources, Chairman Wang Changtian has previously announced the company's shift toward "IP creation and operation," moving from a high-end content provider to a full-chain IP operator. This initiative represents Enlight's second major foray into the gaming industry. During the early boom of the domestic mobile gaming market around 2014, the company aggressively invested in and acquired gaming firms, such as Xianhai Technology, Refone Network (developer of "I Am Hokage"), and Miaocusheng (developer of "Blade of the Gods"). At that time, the strategy focused on capital-driven market entry, capitalizing on mobile gaming growth and distribution channels. In contrast, the current approach emphasizes in-house team building, AAA-quality development, integration of animation and gaming talent, and comprehensive IP ecosystem development.
Based on the account name and public records, "October White Rabbit" is closely linked to the October Culture and Light Chaser Animation systems behind "Deep Sea." This is not October Culture's first attempt at adapting an animated IP into a game—the earlier "Monkey King: Hero Is Back" also had a game adaptation, though it received mixed reviews and market response. Whether the "Deep Sea" game can learn from past mistakes remains to be seen.
For the "Deep Sea" team, the primary goal of this game adaptation is to create an IP闭环 (closed loop) that transitions audiences from passive viewing to active participation. The film's narrative revolves around a dreamlike psychological journey, juxtaposing real-world pressures with deep-sea wonders, blending healing and fear, and ultimately focusing on emotional resonance and companionship. Such themes naturally lend themselves to exploration, companionship, and light progression mechanics, rather than forced action or competitive gameplay.
As of now, the official "October White Rabbit" account has only released the concept video as an initial project announcement. Details regarding gameplay genre, platform, distribution methods, and timeline have yet to be disclosed. Whether this otter-led adventure will become a healing deep-sea game or a stepping stone for Enlight Media's AAA gaming ambitions remains an open question worthy of long-term attention.
As major IPs like "Nezha: The Devil's Chaos" continue to generate derivative value, Enlight Media is extending its animation expertise into the broader digital entertainment landscape. The progress of the "Deep Sea" otter game will serve as a key test of whether the company can successfully integrate film and gaming into a cohesive ecosystem.
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