According to a research report from Citigroup, the National Press and Publication Administration announced the ninth batch of game licences for 2026 on September 30, approving a total of 209 titles, including 206 domestic and 3 imported ones. This marks the second-largest batch this year and the second consecutive month exceeding 200 approvals, among which includes Tencent Holdings (00700)'s "Dream Cleanup Squad".

For the third quarter, a cumulative total of 621 licences were approved, setting a new single-quarter high since the resumption of regular approvals. This figure exceeds the 463 licences granted in the same period last year, as well as 467 in the first quarter and 483 in the second quarter of this year.

The bank noted that in the first nine months of this year, a total of 1,571 game licences have been approved, equivalent to 89% of last year's full-year total of 1,771. It reiterated its forecast of 1,900 to 2,100 licences for the whole of this year, which it believes is highly likely to be met and will surpass last year's figure.

The bank expects that monthly approvals may continue to exceed 200 in the remaining three months. Driven by quality content supply, evergreen games, and efficiency gains from artificial intelligence, the expansion of licence supply will help support healthy industry fundamentals.