Recently, NetEase CEO Ding Lei openly acknowledged during an earnings call that the company’s flagship products were facing competition. Multiple gaming industry reports suggest that the source of this pressure is Giant Network’s (002558.SZ) 2025 hit game, *Supernatural Squad*.

"During the summer vacation, our products were impacted by competitors, particularly among mass users in lower-tier cities," Ding Lei remarked during NetEase’s Q3 2025 earnings call, addressing fluctuations in *Identity V*’s user metrics. While he did not explicitly name the rival, evidence points to *Supernatural Squad*, a January 2025 release that has demonstrated explosive growth. Within just six months, the game surpassed 1 million concurrent users, consistently ranking high on iOS’ free charts and peaking at No. 4 on the top-grossing list, making it one of the year’s standout successes.

Data from Qimai reveals that its Halloween update propelled the game from around 20th place into the top 10 on both iOS free and grossing charts, underscoring its sustained momentum and the team’s robust long-term operational capabilities.

**Team DNA: Youthful Insight and Big-DAU Expertise** *Supernatural Squad*’s success is no accident. Industry analysts note that many long-standing studios have recently undergone leadership changes, often due to a disconnect with evolving user preferences—a challenge this young team navigates adeptly.

Led by post-95s producer Wang Xinyu, the *Supernatural Squad* team comprises mostly post-90s and post-00s members. Despite their youth, the core team boasts extensive experience managing high-DAU titles like *Balloon Fight* (peaking at 30 million DAU) and *Space Kill* (3 million DAU), earning them the moniker "big-DAU specialists."

Their deep understanding of young users is evident in the game’s social media presence, which brims with real-time engagement—capitalizing on trends, memes, and challenges to resonate with Gen Z, especially female players. The Halloween update, featuring themed cosmetics, a ghostly panda transformation, and a "Trick or Treat" emote, further boosted rankings, with the game climbing to No. 8 on iOS’ grossing chart.

**Corporate Philosophy: Longevity Over Trends** Giant Network has a history of capturing generational trends, from 2005’s *Zhengtu* to 2015’s *Balloon Fight* and now *Supernatural Squad*. CEO Liu Wei emphasizes a long-term approach: "Our successes—*Zhengtu*, *Balloon Fight*—were built on years of iteration. *Supernatural Squad* reaffirms that trusting young teams to hone their expertise yields results."

The company has moved past chasing trends (e.g., battle royale, auto chess) to focus on sustainable genres. Founder Shi Yuzhu’s "evergreen gaming" ethos prioritizes depth and replayability, with resources funneled toward projects capable of enduring.

**Structural Innovation: Empowering Youth** Giant’s organizational reforms, including rotating leadership roles for young talent, have been pivotal. Wang Xinyu’s rise from campus recruit to lead producer exemplifies this—his eight-year journey culminating in *Supernatural Squad*’s breakout success.

**Redefining the Genre: "Light Horror + Social"** The game’s blend of Chinese-themed light horror and social features has broadened the micro-horror genre’s appeal, lowering barriers for casual players while fostering cultural connection. Its rise has visibly affected rivals; *Identity V*’s TikTok creator rules now exclude *Supernatural Squad* players, hinting at competitive tensions.

**Conclusion: A Systematic Edge** From *Zhengtu* to *Supernatural Squad*, Giant Network’s two-decade streak reflects deliberate capability-building across team dynamics, strategy, and structure—proving its mastery of generational shifts in gaming.