NetEase Earnings Call Scoop: AI Powers 'Project: Mugen', Updates on 'Where Winds Meet'

In NetEase's latest earnings call, the core topic centered on the 'AI + Gaming' strategic layout. Management expressed high confidence in the success of the 'Justice Online' mobile game, attributing it to the AI large models integrated from the early R&D phase. Hu Zhipeng noted that deep AI involvement in art production and content interaction has significantly boosted player stickiness.

Regarding the ACG (Anime, Comic, Games) sector, the company officially clarified the positioning of 'Project: Mugen'. This title represents a comprehensive upgrade in NetEase's R&D regarding ACG elements, open worlds, and AI technology, aiming to solidify the company's moat in AI-driven content creation through an urban open-world experience.

Additionally, the highly anticipated wuxia open-world game 'Where Winds Meet' was given a release window, confirming it will launch no later than Q2 next year. Management also explained the strong performance of 'Naraka: Bladepoint' following its shift to a free-to-play model, reiterating intentions to increase investment in European, American, Japanese, and Korean markets.

The community response has been mixed: some players are excited about the AI-enhanced 'Project: Mugen', believing the technical resource sharing between internal studios is promising. However, many others have resorted to 'criticizing the operators'. While acknowledging NetEase's technical prowess and innovative spirit, players remain frustrated with the 'game designers' (CH, shorthand for 'CeHua'), arguing that as a major corporation, the company prioritizes shareholder interests over the actual player experience.