‌$WinkingStudios(WKS)$  ‌Black Myth: Wukong stirs China’s gaming industry as a fierce “arms race” looms https://kr-asia.com/black-myth-wukong-stirs-chinas-gaming-industry-as-a-fierce-arms-race-looms Black Myth: Wukong’s success has triggered a new era of competition in China’s gaming industry, leaving game companies scrambling for strategy. The summer game season came and went, but the buzz around Black Myth: Wukong lingers, prompting gamers and industry insiders alike to rethink what’s next in the evolving world of video games. As the first Chinese-developed AAA game to take the spotlight, Black Myth: Wukong reshaped the summer landscape. But for the country’s major game studios, the season played out differently. Some of the biggest name

https://kr-asia.com/black-myth-wukong-stirs-chinas-gaming-industry-as-a-fierce-arms-race-looms Black Myth: Wukong’s success has triggered a new era of competition in China’s gaming industry, leaving game companies scrambling for strategy. The summer game season came and went, but the buzz around Black Myth: Wukong lingers, prompting gamers and industry insiders alike to rethink what’s next in the evolving world of video games. As the first Chinese-developed AAA game to take the spotlight, Black Myth: Wukong reshaped the summer landscape. But for the country’s major game studios, the season played out differently. Some of the biggest names, anticipating the game’s monumental influence, chose caution. Major releases and marketing plans were shelved to avoid clashing with the surge in traff

Winking Studios unveiled its new GenMotion.AI application at the next@acer global press conference in Berlin, Germany. The cutting-edge tool, developed by Winking's AI Research Lab, is designed for professional animators and game production, leveraging AI to generate 3D game animations using text descriptions. GenMotion.AI streamlines the creation process of detailed 3D art with its advanced customization features tailored to meet specific animation requirements. Future updates  will expand the tool's reach, making it accessible to both seasoned professionals and amateur creators. Key Features of GenMotion.AI: > High-Quality Training Data: GenMotion.AI is powered by high-quality training data, specifically curated to meet the demands of the gaming industry, ensuring precise and a

‌$WinkingStudios(WKS)$  ‌Winking Studios Launches GenMotion.AI to Revolutionize 3D Animation Design Winking Studios unveiled its new GenMotion.AI application at the next@acer global press conference in Berlin, Germany. The cutting-edge tool, developed by Winking's AI Research Lab, is designed for professional animators and game production, leveraging AI to generate 3D game animations using text descriptions. GenMotion.AI streamlines the creation process of detailed 3D art with its advanced customization features tailored to meet specific animation requirements. Future updates will expand the tool's reach, making it accessible to both seasoned professionals and amateur creators. Key Features of GenMotion.AI: > High-Quality Training Data:

Watch the full video interview here: https://youtu.be/_1O0yc6KF-g?si=cpKwhyUUTyKT7bYe

We reiterate our OUTPERFORM recommendation and a revised target price of S$0.35 based on a DCF valuation method. Growth through acquisition • Continued M&A strategy to drive inorganic growth. Since its IPO, Winking Studios has strategically expanded its presence in Asia through the acquisition of two art outsourcing studios in Taiwan and Malaysia. This aligns with the company’s broader strategy of utilizing mergers and acquisitions to strengthen its position as a market leader in the art outsourcing industry. Its successful placement of new shares further supports its ongoing efforts to grow its market position through strategic acquisitions. • Organic growth in the Japanese market. 1H24 revenue grew 7.1% YoY to US15.2mn from US$14.2mn in 1H23, driven by a surge in orders from both

‌$WinkingStudios(WKS)$  ‌KGI: Winking Studios Limited (revised target price of S$0.35) (WKS SP/WKS.SI) We reiterate our OUTPERFORM recommendation and a revised target price of S$0.35 based on a DCF valuation method. Growth through acquisition • Continued M&A strategy to drive inorganic growth. Since its IPO, Winking Studios has strategically expanded its presence in Asia through the acquisition of two art outsourcing studios in Taiwan and Malaysia. This aligns with the company’s broader strategy of utilizing mergers and acquisitions to strengthen its position as a market leader in the art outsourcing industry. Its successful placement of new shares further supports its ongoing efforts to grow its market position through strategic acquis

‌$WinkingStudios(WKS)$  ‌UOB Kay Hian: Winking Studios (WKS SP/ BUY / TP S$0.38) *Game-changing moves ahead to accelerate growth; Raise target price by 9%* Analyst: Heidi Mo (UOBKH) *1H24 earnings below expectations* WKS reported 1H24 revenue of US$15m (+7% yoy) and core net profit of US$1.2m (-34% yoy), forming 47% and 28% of our full year forecasts respectively. Core earnings miss came from weaker margins (-3ppt yoy) from post-acquisition integration and higher marketing exp (+86% yoy). Excluding acquisitions, GPM was stable yoy at 30%. *Revenue grew 11% yoy in local currencies* from increased orders across both Art Outsourcing (+7% yoy) and Game Development (+8% yoy) segments. *Robust 2H24 pipeline* with ~US$10m of indicative booking

*Game-changing moves ahead to accelerate growth; Raise target price by 9%* Analyst: Heidi Mo (UOBKH) *1H24 earnings below expectations* WKS reported 1H24 revenue of US$15m (+7% yoy) and core net profit of US$1.2m (-34% yoy), forming 47% and 28% of our full year forecasts respectively. Core earnings miss came from weaker margins (-3ppt yoy) from post-acquisition integration and higher marketing exp (+86% yoy). Excluding acquisitions, GPM was stable yoy at 30%. *Revenue grew 11% yoy in local currencies* from increased orders across both Art Outsourcing (+7% yoy) and Game Development (+8% yoy) segments. *Robust 2H24 pipeline* with ~US$10m of indicative bookings as of 13 Aug to be fulfilled by end-24. *S$26.5m net proceeds from Jul placement to fund future acquisitions* WKS has completed

A CHINESE-MADE game backed by Tencent Holdings has become the fourth most popular title ever on Steam within hours of its launch, an unusually rapid ascent that may help seal its place in industry lore. Black Myth: Wukong, an action-adventure title based on the antics of the fabled Monkey King, garnered more than 1.4 million concurrent players on Steam shortly after its global debut on Tuesday (Aug 20). That surpassed the popularity of other much-hyped single-player titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring, according to data tracker SteamDB. It ranked just above Dota 2 and Lost Ark by peak concurrent players, which counts the number of people playing a game at one time around the world. The strong first-day performance may help shore up expectations that China’s US$40 billion-plus gaming

‌$WinkingStudios(WKS)$  ‌Tencent-backed ‘Wukong’ makes game history in first-day rush A CHINESE-MADE game backed by Tencent Holdings has become the fourth most popular title ever on Steam within hours of its launch, an unusually rapid ascent that may help seal its place in industry lore. Black Myth: Wukong, an action-adventure title based on the antics of the fabled Monkey King, garnered more than 1.4 million concurrent players on Steam shortly after its global debut on Tuesday (Aug 20). That surpassed the popularity of other much-hyped single-player titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring, according to data tracker SteamDB. It ranked just above Dota 2 and Lost Ark by peak concurrent players, which counts the number of people playing a gam

‌$WinkingStudios(WKS)$  ‌Tencent’s sales growth sped up after blockbuster game release TENCENT Holdings’ revenue accelerated its growth after the blockbuster summer release of Dungeon & Fighter Mobile helped lift China’s most valuable company out of a gaming trough. Revenue jumped 8 per cent to 161.1 billion yuan (S$29.7 billion) for the April-to-June period, versus the projected estimate of 161.4 billion yuan. Net income surged to 47.6 billion yuan, compared with the estimated 39.9 billion yuan. Competition in China’s US$40 billion-plus gaming arena sparked back to life this summer. DnF Mobile got off to a hot start and maintained momentum even with the debuts of major rival titles by NetEase and Genshin Impact studio Mihoyo. Tencent’s

TENCENT Holdings’ revenue accelerated its growth after the blockbuster summer release of Dungeon & Fighter Mobile helped lift China’s most valuable company out of a gaming trough. Revenue jumped 8 per cent to 161.1 billion yuan (S$29.7 billion) for the April-to-June period, versus the projected estimate of 161.4 billion yuan. Net income surged to 47.6 billion yuan, compared with the estimated 39.9 billion yuan. Competition in China’s US$40 billion-plus gaming arena sparked back to life this summer. DnF Mobile got off to a hot start and maintained momentum even with the debuts of major rival titles by NetEase and Genshin Impact studio Mihoyo. Tencent’s hack-and-slash game could rack up 22 billion yuan this year, or 3 per cent of Tencent’s total revenue, according to an estimate by Mor

Monopoly GO! -- has become one of the top mobile games of all time and grossed billions in revenue since it launched last year. Hasbro has also acquired Wizards of the Coast, the makers of Magic: The Gathering, and they own the best-selling video game Baldur's Gate 3. So why is gaming such a big growth market for a traditional toymaker? Where's the market heading? And how does a big company judge the success of freemium apps like Monopoly GO!? https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-09/hasbro-ceo-on-the-toymaker-s-digital-gaming-push

‌$WinkingStudios(WKS)$  ‌Hasbro CEO on the Toymaker’s Digital Gaming Push Monopoly GO! -- has become one of the top mobile games of all time and grossed billions in revenue since it launched last year. Hasbro has also acquired Wizards of the Coast, the makers of Magic: The Gathering, and they own the best-selling video game Baldur's Gate 3. So why is gaming such a big growth market for a traditional toymaker?  Where's the market heading? And how does a big company judge the success of freemium apps like Monopoly GO!? https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-09/hasbro-ceo-on-the-toymaker-s-digital-gaming-push

A long-haired sorcerer wearily checked his smartphone as elves and androids bustled past at the digital entertainment expo ChinaJoy on Friday, the crowds a testament to the local gaming industry's tentative recovery after a period on pause. China is the world's largest market for video games, but the sector has been through a tough time in recent years thanks to a government crackdown that restricted player hours and strangled new licenses. But as the vast exhibition halls in Shanghai boomed with the excited chatter of cosplaying attendees, industry insiders were upbeat about the future. "I fully see the recovery is happening. And we truly believe the market of China will keep growing rapidly," the Shanghai managing director of gaming giant Ubisoft, Yang Zhi Hong, told AFP. At rival com

‌$WinkingStudios(WKS)$  ‌Gaming sector recovery on flamboyant display at ChinaJoy expo A long-haired sorcerer wearily checked his smartphone as elves and androids bustled past at the digital entertainment expo ChinaJoy on Friday, the crowds a testament to the local gaming industry's tentative recovery after a period on pause. China is the world's largest market for video games, but the sector has been through a tough time in recent years thanks to a government crackdown that restricted player hours and strangled new licenses. But as the vast exhibition halls in Shanghai boomed with the excited chatter of cosplaying attendees, industry insiders were upbeat about the future. "I fully see the recovery is happening. And we truly believe the ma

‌$WinkingStudios(WKS)$  ‌Winking Studios Raises S$26.5 Million in Net Proceeds to Accelerate its Growth Plans in the Global Gaming Services Industry Winking Studios Limited (“Winking Studios” or “the Company”), a prominent game art outsourcing and game development company in Asia, announced on 9 July 2024 that it has successfully completed the placement of 108.0 million new ordinary shares at S$0.25 each, raising net proceeds of S$26.5 million. The placement attracted significant interest from Winking Studios’ existing indirect controlling shareholder, Acer Incorporated, through its subsidiaries Acer Gaming Inc. and Acer SoftCapital Incorporated, as well as from the Company’s management team and regional investors from Singapore, Malaysia, a

Winking Studios Limited (“Winking Studios” or “the Company”), a prominent game art outsourcing and game development company in Asia, announced on 9 July 2024 that it has successfully completed the placement of 108.0 million new ordinary shares at S$0.25 each, raising net proceeds of S$26.5 million. The placement attracted significant interest from Winking Studios’ existing indirect controlling shareholder, Acer Incorporated, through its subsidiaries Acer Gaming Inc. and Acer SoftCapital Incorporated, as well as from the Company’s management team and regional investors from Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Mr Johnny Jan, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Winking Studios Limited Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mr Johnny Jan expressed his gratitude for the con

Netflix currently has over 80 games in development, with plans to release a game a month to its subscribers from this month onwards. In its latest earnings call, Netflix's co-CEO, president and director Gregory K Peters discussed the company's plans for gaming and how it will achieve growth. Where the company is moving quickest is with interactive narrative games, which Peters describes as "easier to build". These are placed in the Netflix Stories narrative hub and it's here the company will be launching a new game each month based on popular series like Emily in Paris and Selling Sunset. Peters promised Netflix has "lots more, including very different types of games yet to come in the quarters and years ahead". Netflix's fellow co-CEO, president and director Theodore A Sarandos also co