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Tencent unveils over 30 video game updates and new projects as it braces for increased competition in China

  • At its annual Spark conference, Tencent introduced updates on 15 previously announced titles and revealed 20 new projects in the pipeline
  • The internet giant also highlighted potential innovation in game development using the latest technologies such as ChatGPT-like tools

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Tencent Holdings asserted its commitment to create technologically advanced video games at the company’s annual Spark conference on May 15, 2023. Photo: Shutterstock
Ann Caoin Shanghai
Tencent Holdings, operator of the world’s largest video gaming business by revenue, unveiled more than 30 game updates and new projects in the pipeline at its annual Spark conference, as competition heats up in the industry after Beijing eased its regulatory crackdown.
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Touting more updates and projects than last year’s total of 26, the Shenzhen-based internet giant on Monday signalled a recovery in the world’s largest video gaming market at the conference, where the company highlighted potential innovation in game development using the latest technologies such as ChatGPT-like tools.

“Driven by the growing and evolving needs of users, games have always embraced and applied the most cutting-edge scientific and technological advancements in a timely manner,” Tencent senior-vice president Steven Ma Xiaoyi said in his opening remarks at the conference.

“The flipside is also true: games represent a powerful driving force for AI [artificial intelligence] and technological development.”

Tencent Holdings senior vice-president Steven Ma Xiaoyi speaks at the internet giant’s annual Spark conference on May 15, 2023. Photo: Handout
Tencent Holdings senior vice-president Steven Ma Xiaoyi speaks at the internet giant’s annual Spark conference on May 15, 2023. Photo: Handout
That outlook from Ma and Tencent’s commitment to creating technologically advanced games underscore how mainland China’s video gaming market is fast emerging from a downturn, which was brought about by Beijing’s year-long crackdown on the industry that started in late 2021.
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