【Gossip Request】Winter in the Shanghai Gaming Scene: Rumors of Project Cancellations and Industry Turbulence

Recently, a leaked document regarding project adjustments among Shanghai-based gaming companies has been making rounds in various communities, prompting users to verify the authenticity of the information.

Industry insiders commented that at least half of the claims are accurate, involving major players like X.D. Inc and Papergames. For the term “huoshui” (活水) appearing in the list, netizens clarified that it refers to internal mobility or reassigning staff to different departments. Concerns were raised regarding Papergames, noting that despite their aggressive project expansion, their ability to sustain such a high burn rate is highly questionable.

The conversation also touched upon developers like MICA Team. While some users were concerned about their status, others noted they are still initiating new projects, allegedly running up to five simultaneously. The consensus is that these mass cancellations are the direct result of projects initiated before the pandemic crashing into the wall of strict licensing regulations and the broader economic downturn.

Looking ahead, many community members believe that if the market environment remains stagnant next year, many of the projects currently in the “vaporware” phase will likely face the axe.