<p>As the year comes to a close, while everyone is contemplating investment directions and sector choices for 2026, I would like to discuss some lighter topics. The following content is only intended to indirectly influence your investment choices and provide some space for thought.</p>
<p>This week, I want to talk about the gaming industry. Seasoned gamers may have noticed that the most grand award ceremony in the gaming industry, The Game Awards, has recently taken place. The highlight of the event was the winner of the Game of the Year award, which is &#34;Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.&#34; I also spent quite a bit of time completing this game, and its stunning artistic CG style and revival of Japanese turn-based combat left a deep impression on me.</p>
<h2>Game Returns Double or Nothing</h2>
<p>This game was developed by Sandfall Interactive and published in collaboration with Kepler Interactive. At this award ceremony, the game swept 9 awards, including Game of the Year, Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, etc., setting a historical record for TGA. In fact, the game publisher Kepler Interactive received a $120 million investment from NetEase (9999) back in September 2021, making NetEase a minority shareholder to support the release of independent games, including the award-winning Expedition 33. Honestly, I believe that NetEase did not expect such a huge response from this investment during the COVID period.</p>
<p>In the world of investment markets, the gaming industry can be defined as a type of IP investment. The investment period is very long, as the development time for a AAA game can span several years, and the returns are highly risky, akin to Double or Nothing. I see the investment in gaming industry works as very similar to film investments, where popularity can be a fine line.</p>
<h2>Tencent and NetEase as Safer Choices</h2>
<p>Given the nature of the industry, if you invest in gaming stocks, it is evident that gaming platforms like Tencent (700) and NetEase (9999) become a safer choice. This is because each year's game pipeline hides a considerable number of game releases. If one new game is not well-received, there are other new games to fill the gap, which will not significantly affect profit results.</p>
<h2>Nintendo Reaches New Heights, Only a Matter of Time</h2>
<p>Among them, my favorite is the industry giant Nintendo (JP: 7974) from Japan. This company boasts what can be considered the longest-running and most successful IP in the world. Its franchises, including Mario, Pokémon, and The Legend of Zelda, have remained fresh for over 20 years since their launch and are still beloved by fans worldwide. With the recent release of the new gaming console Switch 2, it seems that achieving new heights in performance is only a matter of time
<strong>Ruan Zixi</strong></p>

09899

TCEHY

TCTZF

00700

NTES

09999

<p>The Game Awards 2026 Game of the Year was awarded to "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33," developed by Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive, winning 9 awards at the ceremony. NetEase invested $120 million to support Kepler Interactive in 2021. The author believes that investing in the gaming industry is similar to investing in films, with high risks but great returns. Tencent and NetEase are more stable investment choices</p>

- As the year ends, discussions about investment directions for 2026 prompt attention to the gaming industry, particularly after The Game Awards recognized "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33" as Game of the Year.  
- The game's developer, Sandfall Interactive, in partnership with Kepler Interactive, won nine awards at the ceremony, showcasing the significant achievement of the first-place title.  
- Investment in gaming, like that of NetEase and Tencent, is marked by high risk and potential long-term returns, with established franchises from companies like Nintendo indicating stable prospects for investors.

Game of the Year | Ruan Zixi