36 companies are developing single-player games. Is Chengdu becoming a hotbed for the single-player game industry?

Chengdu seems to be gradually emerging as a city for single-player games.

In recent years, single-player games developed by Chengdu-based companies have achieved remarkable results, covering a wide range of product types and scales:

The Late Ming Dynasty: Feather of the Abyss, a Chinese-style Soulslike ARPG developed by Lingze Technology, sold 2.95 million copies within less than two months of its release (according to data from VGI, a prediction platform under Sensor Tower), with conservative estimated sales exceeding 400 million yuan.

The representative work of 91Act (Fighting Technology), BlazBlue: Chaos Effect, has sold over one million copies both on the global PC version and mobile version, with a total sales volume exceeding 2.2 million. The story of its team's revival after disbandment remains a good story to this day.

Famine: A Thousand-Mile Journey in the Late Ming Dynasty, an AVG developed by Lingchuang Games, has accumulated sales of 1.2 million copies (with sales of approximately 75.9 million yuan), ranking second on the list of best-selling Chinese games in 2024 last year.

Unlimited Mecha by Shenzhi Technology has sold 400,000 copies (with sales of approximately 62 million yuan).

In addition to the well-known games mentioned above, products such as Mercury Sanatorium, a side-scrolling narrative puzzle game by Yitai Technology, Rebellious Soul, a 2D card game by Miling Interactive, and I Now Have a Noble Family, a Chinese-style simulation management game by Huanyi Technology, have also received good reviews.

From left to right: Mercury Sanatorium, Rebellious Soul, I Now Have a Noble Family

Game New Knowledge has counted 36 Chengdu-based companies currently developing single-player paid games. Their project types include Western fantasy ARPGs, Cthulhu-themed FPS games, martial arts-style ARPGs, and martial arts-style simulation management games. Among them, there are large-scale games like Tide of Annihilation and new and hard-to-define products like Smoke of War and Kitchen Smoke. Perhaps future single-player game blockbusters will emerge from these projects.

The ability to produce so many outstanding games is inseparable from the characteristics of Chengdu. Generally, it can be divided into the following four points:

Firstly, there is a relatively dense concentration of game talents. Many well-known universities can provide talents for the game industry. Foreign game giants such as Ubisoft and 2K entered Chengdu early, and the game outsourcing industry is also very developed. Large outsourcing companies like Virtuos have participated in the production of many well-known 3A games. Most game companies that have emerged in Chengdu have also experienced the transition from outsourcing to self-development. For example, Tap4fun initially started from outsourcing, and Lingze Technology also made a living through outsourcing business for some time.

Lingze Technology's self-developed VR games are A.D. 2047 and The Late Ming Dynasty: Feather of the Abyss

These talents became familiar with the game development process through outsourcing, but their desire for self-expression was always restricted by the needs of clients. At a certain stage, they naturally hoped to "create something of their own."

Secondly, Chengdu itself is competitive. The city ranked 7th in the GDP ranking of major cities in the first half of this year, which can accommodate game developers returning to their hometown. Game New Knowledge has contacted many game developers in Chengdu and found that many of them first worked elsewhere and then returned to their hometown for development.

On the other hand, the cost of starting a business is relatively controllable. An office with the same conditions as those in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen can be rented in Chengdu at one-third or even one-fourth of the price in first-tier cities. Yang Bin, the producer of Unlimited Mecha, once joked in an interview: "If you get a large investment, go to Shanghai; if not, go to Chengdu." Many teams that were originally located elsewhere (such as Hanjia Squirrel Studio, which was originally in Shenzhen) have finally chosen to move to Chengdu, largely because it can reduce R & D costs.

Thirdly, it has a rich cultural heritage. Chengdu has long been known as the "Land of Abundance" and has a profound accumulation of ancient Shu civilization. Its regional culture is also very distinctive. In terms of products, games such as The Late Ming Dynasty: Feather of the Abyss by Lingze Technology, The World with Only Sisters by Qingxu Technology, and Ape King Sword by Jianmaoxiong have all incorporated many elements of Southwest Chinese culture.

Fourthly, there is policy support. Chengdu started to strongly support the game industry early on and has also taken significant actions recently. For example, in May this year, Chengdu launched "Several Policies to Promote the High - Quality Development of the Game and E - sports Industry in Chengdu," a total of 15 policy measures, including "providing a one - time subsidy of 2 million yuan for each excellent original game that has obtained a license and been officially launched for one year after comprehensive evaluation" and other favorable policies.

Many game developers who came to Chengdu to start businesses have mentioned receiving help in this regard. For example, Xia Chengliang, the founder of Huanyi Technology, shared his story of coming to Chengdu in a public speech at Unite. "In May 2021, I came to Chengdu for the first time. I heard about Tianfu Software Park and went straight to the office to ask if I could move in. They were also confused and asked what I did. I said I was in the game business. They said they happened to have a roadshow every two or three months, and I just caught up with this one. Would I like to participate? I participated in the roadshow, and about two or three days later, they called me and said to come and get the keys, and they would give me a free office."

Based on these conditions, Chengdu is indeed a suitable city for the development of single-player paid games, and many promising game companies have emerged like mushrooms after a rain. Game New Knowledge has selected 22 companies, and the next single-player game blockbuster company may emerge from among them.

1. Chengdu Ophiuchus

This company was established at the end of 2021, with Tencent holding 95% of the shares and led by Fu Kun, a former member of the Project DT team at Digital Sky. The Eclipse Edge Studio is currently developing a Western fantasy ARPG, Tide of Annihilation, which will be released in the form of a single-player paid game on PC and console platforms in the future.

Tide of Annihilation was officially unveiled in February this year, and a gameplay demo was released. Game New Knowledge has introduced Tide of Annihilation. This game builds its story background around real - life London and a parallel world, drawing inspiration from the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. It is a hardcore action game that is not overly difficult but offers an exciting experience.

Tide of Annihilation features an innovative combat system called "Knight Synergy." Players can obtain more than 10 unique knights in the game and fight alongside the protagonist. The knights can function like summoned creatures and can be used for combat, puzzle - solving, and exploration.

The protagonist can cooperate with the knights, and the knights can also cooperate with each other. Players can freely customize the knight team according to their needs. In the gameplay demo, there were scenes where multiple knights coordinated to produce a powerful combo effect, with quite a spectacular visual display.

According to the recruitment platform, Ophiuchus is currently developing an unannounced project. The recruitment keywords mention "UE engine," "multiplayer network architecture," and "action game."

2. Bashu Zhonghan Network

Bashu Zhonghan Network is a startup company established in 2019. Its game director was the lead designer of the independent game Electrical Appliances Don't Work Tonight. It is currently developing a Cthulhu - themed FPS game, End of Overlord.

The first concept trailer of this game was released as early as 2021, and the voice actress Huang Ying was invited to provide the voice - over. However, it was relatively low - key in the following two years. According to official sources, the project was restarted in 2023, and the team currently has 14 members. A gameplay trailer was just released on August 26th.

Players will play as Police Officer Qin Mian and explore a world within the Cthulhu mythos. The game features first - person shooting gameplay with some action elements. For example, players can choose to step back to avoid damage when facing enemy attacks.

When an enemy charges, a yellow light will flash as a warning. Players can use a gun counter - attack or summon a monster from the side to interrupt the enemy's attack. A red light state can trigger a finishing move. In the trailer, there were also scenes of transforming into a monster to attack. Players can also transform their left hand into a tentacle for climbing or using a grappling hook. Perhaps the game will have similar skills.

As of the time of publication, the gameplay trailer of End of Overlord has been viewed over 3.82 million times. However, some players have pointed out the problem of inconsistent art style in the trailer (such as the obvious disconnection between the guns and the scene). The official has stated that they will further improve the feel and model of the guns and add more guns that fit the game's worldview.

3. Jianmaoxiong Network

Jianmaoxiong Network is a startup company established in 2022. The founder, Wuxia, once worked as a level artist at Ubisoft Shanghai and later served as the chief artist and TA at Taihe Network, participating in works such as Far Cry 3 and Shadow Torch City. Then he chose to leave and start his own business.

At the beginning of its establishment, the company received investment from Chongqing Xinyumao (an investment institution jointly established by NetEase and Youzimao), holding approximately 13.9% of the shares. This year, the team received investment from Singaporean company GCL (holding 7.25% of the shares), and the global distribution rights of its first game, Ape King Sword, will be handed over to 4Divinity, a distribution subsidiary under GCL.

Ape King Sword is an ancient - style punk ARPG. It was first unveiled in 2024 under the name Ape King Sword: White Ape Awakening and was officially renamed this July, removing the suffix. This year, Ape King Sword participated in several game exhibitions, and gameplay demos were released at both the BW and Gamescom.

First - unveiled version

On August 23rd, a YouTube blogger shared a gameplay demo, showing actions such as the protagonist's blocking, dodging, and prosthetic limb attacks, as well as boss fight scenes. The game features "sword blade replacement" and "avoiding the blue and entering the red" (which can be understood as avoiding attacks and seizing opportunities to hit the enemy) as highlights of its action system. It removed the stamina bar and instead uses the durability of the sword blade to control the combat rhythm. "Avoiding the blue and entering the red" emphasizes that players should counter - attack after dodging.

Gamescom version

It is worth noting that the producer clearly distinguished Ape King Sword from Soulslike games in an