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… ecosystems, the company seeks to future-proof its vehicles against changing consumer preferences.
Since its launch in March, Xiaomi has rapidly ramped up SU7 production, hitting key milestones that hint at its broader ambitions. In October alone, the company delivered over 20,000 vehicles, contributing to a cumulative delivery target of 100,000 units reached within just 230 days. Financially, the EV segment generated RMB 9.7 billion (USD 1.4 billion) in Q3 2024, with gross profit margins rising to 17.1% from 15.4% in the previous quarter.
Riding this momentum, Xiaomi recently unveiled the SU7 Ultra, a premium variant designed to penetrate the luxury market. International expansion appears to be on the horizon, with CarPlay integration poised to be a selling point for global buyers.
<figure id="attachment_150976" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-150976" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-150976" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Xiaomi-SU7-Ultra-1024x683.jpg" alt="Image of the SU7 Ultra, a premium variant of Xiaomi’s first electric vehicle model." width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Xiaomi-SU7-Ultra-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Xiaomi-SU7-Ultra-300x200.jpg 300w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Xiaomi-SU7-Ultra-768x512.jpg 768w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Xiaomi-SU7-Ultra-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Xiaomi-SU7-Ultra.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-150976" class="wp-caption-text">Image of the SU7 Ultra, a premium variant of Xiaomi’s first electric vehicle model. The new flagship vehicle is expected to compete with the likes of Tesla’s Model S Plaid and the Porsche Taycan Turbo. Image source: Xiaomi.</figcaption></figure>
Xiaomi isn’t stopping at smartphone integration. The company is doubling down on autonomous driving, with plans to roll out its full-scenario “Hyper Autonomous Driving” (HAD) solution by year-end. This represents an upgrade from the current navigate-on-autopilot (NOA) system, which is focused on urban environments.
With a clear roadmap for innovation and a strategy that bridges ecosystems, Xiaomi is making a bold play to establish itself as an EV heavyweight. Its efforts to integrate with Apple’s ecosystem are just one piece of the puzzle—but a crucial one as it aims to win over customers at home while paving the way for global expansion.

Xiaomi's EV strategy drives forward with Apple integration in focus

Xiaomi

China Tech

Electric Vehicles

Mobility

… While JD.com offers broader category coverage, it trails Shangou in merchant numbers.
Despite fierce competition, Shangou remains the frontrunner in the instant retail market. A Morgan Stanley report forecasts that China’s instant retail market will grow at a 20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), reaching RMB 2 trillion (USD 280 billion) by 2030, with Meituan expected to secure 50% of the market and achieve long-term unit economics (UE) of RMB 1.7 (USD 0.20) per order. Such dominance would extend Meituan’s competitive advantage beyond food delivery and in-store services.
In its latest earnings report, Meituan announced that its new businesses—excluding Youxuan—achieved profitability as a whole. Morgan Stanley previously identified new business losses as a key performance indicator for Meituan this year, alongside food delivery order growth and profitability for in-store dining and travel services.
Among Meituan’s new ventures, Kuailv has shown the most maturity, with Xiaoxiang Supermarket also gaining traction. However, monetization for Xiaoxiang remains secondary to strategic growth. Meanwhile, competition in the home delivery space is heating up as JD.com’s 7Fresh unit launches aggressive price wars.
Loss reduction for Youxuan continues to be a critical focus. Goldman Sachs reported that Youxuan incurred approximately RMB 1.7 billion (USD 238 million) in losses during the third quarter, a slight improvement from the previous quarter. However, the pace of improvement is decelerating. In a bid to cut losses, Meituan has raised prices, withdrawn generic brands, and closed warehouses, despite the resulting contraction in user numbers. The company also consolidated its operations into nine regions, down from 17 provinces.
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Internationally, Meituan’s progress is under watch. Its <a href="https://kr-asia.com/meituans-keeta-launches-in-saudi-arabia-igniting-competition-and-price-hikes">October launch of Keeta</a> in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was accompanied by cautious statements about global expansion plans. Local merchants in Riyadh have observed that Meituan’s mature subsidy mechanisms and methodical approach set it apart from established platforms.
Amid these dynamics, Meituan is navigating a competitive landscape with calculated composure. Its rivalry with Douyin has stabilized, allowing it to focus on consolidating its market presence and advancing its strategy. Balancing growth with ambition, Meituan has carved out a position of stability and innovation in a challenging economic climate.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3059971856671875">article</a> was written by Ren Cairu for 36Kr.

Meituan beats expectations with strong Q3 results and quick commerce gains

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… experience. Voice control systems now recognize nearby vehicles and buildings, while modern headlights offer projection capabilities.
Chinese automakers, leveraging a robust supply chain, have quickly brought once-exclusive luxury features to everyday cars. This strength, however, presents a unique challenge for domestic brands striving to break into the upper echelons of luxury: as the baseline for features continues to rise, what technical innovations can truly set a luxury car apart?
It took 30 years for soft-close doors to transition from the unattainable Mercedes-Benz S-class to mass-market Chinese vehicles, and nearly two decades for active safety features to follow. Today, Chinese brands have achieved parity with stalwarts like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi in terms of traditional luxury features. However, this convergence has led to a plateau, where these features alone are no longer enough to differentiate high-end offerings.
whereRelatedArticle
Huawei aims to position smart experiences as the new benchmark for technical superiority. Yet, this strategy faces the same challenges posed by the rapid democratization of technology.
First, the pace of evolution in Chinese car models—particularly in intelligent systems—is blistering. Monthly over-the-air (OTA) updates and frequent hardware revisions are now the norm. Some models see hardware refreshed as often as three times a year in the pursuit of enhanced software experiences. While the Maextro S800’s adoption of Level 3 autonomous driving architecture is noteworthy, how many new vehicles will offer similar features by 2025? Its exclusivity may be fleeting.
Second, do luxury buyers truly desire such advanced intelligent experiences?
Lotus, for example, has struggled to impress with its intelligent features, focusing instead on performance. Yet early adopters of Tesla’s Model S and Model X, as well as those intrigued by <a href="https://kr-asia.com/xpeng-motors-unveils-new-tech-aimed-at-expanding-beyond-evs">Xpeng Motors’ flying car</a>, demonstrate a willingness among younger, affluent consumers to pay for novel technology.
<figure id="attachment_150693" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-150693" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-150693" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Xpeng-Motors-AeroHT-Land-Aircraft-Carrier-1024x683.jpg" alt="Photo of Xpeng AeroHT's &quot;Land Aircraft Carrier.&quot;" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Xpeng-Motors-AeroHT-Land-Aircraft-Carrier-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Xpeng-Motors-AeroHT-Land-Aircraft-Carrier-300x200.jpg 300w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Xpeng-Motors-AeroHT-Land-Aircraft-Carrier-768x512.jpg 768w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Xpeng-Motors-AeroHT-Land-Aircraft-Carrier-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Xpeng-Motors-AeroHT-Land-Aircraft-Carrier.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-150693" class="wp-caption-text">Photo of the <a href="https://kr-asia.com/xpeng-motors-unveils-new-tech-aimed-at-expanding-beyond-evs">latest flying car</a> by Xpeng AeroHT, a subsidiary of the namesake company. It features a ground module—the “mothership”—and an air module for the flying vehicle. Photo courtesy of Xpeng.</figcaption></figure>
The Maextro S800, however, targets a different demographic—affluent, middle-aged buyers who have likely owned multiple traditional luxury vehicles. For this audience, the question isn’t whether they’ll pay for autonomous driving, but what kind of autonomous experience justifies the investment.
As Maextro’s inaugural model, the S800 represents a bold experiment for Huawei. It merges a traditional luxury aesthetic with state-of-the-art technology, positioning itself as a bridge between legacy and innovation. This approach provides Huawei a valuable opportunity to gauge consumer preferences: Do affluent buyers prioritize appearance over substance, or are they seeking a harmonious blend of both?
The luxury EV segment remains largely uncharted, with no Chinese brand yet unlocking the formula for sustained success. Huawei’s foray into this space is both ambitious and inevitable, representing a critical step in defining what Chinese luxury can mean in the electric era.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3053041692250505">article</a> was written by Xu Caiyu for 36Kr.
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Maextro S800: Huawei’s audacious bid to win the luxury EV market

Huawei

… said.
In Indonesia,  Anthoni Salim, the youngest son of Liem Sioe Liong, navigated the Salim Group’s survival following the 1997 Asian financial crisis and fall of Suharto in 1998, during which the government took over its pivotal Bank Central Asia. The group’s business had benefited from Liem’s close ties with the late dictator.
"Anthoni became the successor [because he is] more talented and focused than his older brothers," said Richard Borsuk, an adjunct senior fellow at Singapore's S Rajaratnam School of International Studies and a chronicler of the Salim Group.
Anthoni has turned the company's Indofood into one of the world's largest instant noodle manufacturers and the family has interests in various other sectors through its First Pacific Holding Company. Anthoni leads both entities and his eldest son, Axton Salim, is a director of both businesses.
Family firms also have longer track records with other stakeholders, including lenders, brokers, and investors. "It helps companies have better access to other types of capital and debt financing on fixed-income markets," said Asadej Kongsiri, president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
Whether family control means more transparency and stronger governance standards remains a subject of debate. Family-owned companies are more likely to have dual-share classes than non-family firms, according to Credit Suisse.
But the DBS study of Singapore-listed companies found that family firms stepped up disclosures during rough patches to preserve the family's reputation. Independent directors outnumber executive and non-executive directors on the boards of both family and non-family firms, but occupy fewer board seats in family firms.
Christian Stewart, founder of Hong Kong-based consultancy Family Legacy Asia, said family firms could empower more independent directors, not only to reassure minority shareholders but also to be a bridge between family members in management roles and their uninvolved relatives.
"It's important to have directors who are trusted by the family shareholders but who are still objective and have good commercial sense to provide a bridging role between the family chair and the family members who aren't involved in the entity," Stewart said.
Independent directors are even more crucial in the absence of a clearly communicated succession plan. Such is the case for Robert Kuok, the Malaysian "sugar king" who founded Hong Kong-listed Kerry Holdings, owner of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts. At 101, Kuok has not announced a formal succession plan, but his children and nephews hold leadership roles across the Kuok Group, including his sons Khoon Ho, 73, and Khoon Ean, 69, and daughter Hui Kwong, 46.
"The role of independent directors is really to ask what are you doing in terms of grooming a successor—mentoring, exposing them to different business units, and giving feedback," said Stewart.
This article first appeared on <a tabindex="0" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/ASEAN-Money/Southeast-Asian-family-firms-lay-ground-for-next-generation-s-succession" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-token-index="1">Nikkei Asia</a>. It has been republished here as part of 36Kr’s ongoing <a tabindex="0" href="https://www.kr-asia.com/nikkei-teams-up-with-36kr-in-asia-tech-news-coverage/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-token-index="3">partnership with Nikkei</a>.

Southeast Asian family firms lay ground for next generation's succession

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… (popularity) index, while For The Young Ones set a new record among iQiyi’s short dramas with fewer than 20 episodes.
<h3>Targeting friends and family</h3>
As content continues to evolve, the membership system remains a critical strategy for long-form video platforms to enhance user engagement and retention. This quarter, iQiyi introduced adjustments to its membership offerings, responding to observed user demand.
On November 12, iQiyi launched a new option allowing standard members to add an additional account for RMB 8 (USD 1.1) per month, with the main account subscription priced at RMB 25 (USD 3.5) per month.
A key feature of this offering is the separation of membership credentials, passwords, and viewing histories between the main and family accounts. This ensures an independent and seamless viewing experience for each family member, allowing them to access iQiyi’s premium content and high-quality audiovisual features on their own devices, tailored to their individual preferences and schedules.
The new service reflects iQiyi’s understanding of family viewing habits. With growing demand for shared viewing in family settings, coupled with the unique needs of seniors and children, the offering provides a cost-effective solution without requiring duplicate subscriptions.
Notably, overseas streaming platforms such as Netflix and Disney+ have launched similar services with considerable success. For instance, Netflix reported a 10% YoY increase in paid memberships in the third quarter of 2023 following the introduction of additional account options.
Additionally, iQiyi has expanded the availability of its basic membership, previously limited to the iQiyi Lite app, to all major platforms. This basic membership, priced lower than the gold VIP membership, allows users to access premium content with ads, catering to those looking for a more affordable option for member-exclusive content.
Of course, while embracing change, iQiyi has also retained several constants, including deepening the application of artificial intelligence and pursuing international expansion.
From a business perspective, the priority in today’s content market is clear: to move beyond fragmented trends and fleeting consumption, aiming instead to establish a more complete and sustainable business cycle.
iQiyi’s capabilities in film and television production continue to strengthen. It is among the first streaming platforms in China to implement virtual production across the entire content creation process. Its virtual production team provides comprehensive services, including content production, cost evaluation, technical design and rehearsals, and production supervision, all managed concurrently across multiple projects.
Notably, Shadow Love, now in production, is the first film and television project in China to use the latest version of Unreal Engine for virtual shooting.
In its advertising business, iQiyi has leveraged AI-powered campaigns to boost performance, with AI-enabled ad creatives achieving over 20% higher cost per mille (CPM) compared to traditional formats.
On the global front, iQiyi has capitalized on the growing international popularity of Chinese dramas to expand its overseas business. In the third quarter, both total overseas revenue and revenue from membership services recorded YoY and quarter-on-quarter growth.
Notably, membership revenue in markets such as Hong Kong, the UK, Brazil, and Australia posted YoY increases exceeding 40%. Average daily subscription numbers also rose YoY and quarter-on-quarter, with standout growth exceeding 45% in Brazil, Mexico, Hong Kong, and Thailand.
Since shifting its strategy from scaling to prioritizing profitability, iQiyi has focused on high-quality development in its core business. This pivot has also influenced the market’s perception of iQiyi, with investors placing greater emphasis on its fundamentals and long-term value.
Despite facing challenges, iQiyi’s cost reduction and efficiency initiatives over the past two years have delivered expected results. The market will closely watch how iQiyi’s evolving ecosystem model shapes the industry and what new heights the company can achieve in the future.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3054532534997385">article</a> was written by 36Kr Caijing.

Mini dramas, new memberships fuel iQiyi’s growth push

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California’s Coachella music festival is known for drawing massive crowds, and this year was no exception. But alongside glittery outfits and sun-drenched dancing, one unexpected accessory took the spotlight: portable mini fans.
These once-overlooked gadgets have become everyday essentials, appearing in homes and on streets worldwide. Shenzhen-based JisuLife is riding this wave, transforming portable mini fans into a booming global category. The company, which prices its products between USD 20–90, has been the top seller of these fans for three consecutive years, shipping over 30 million units globally since 2018.
JisuLife’s rise began in 2019 when it entered the North American market via Amazon. Its debut USB fan product became a bestseller within a year, and the company now leads the category across platforms such as Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok. North America and Southeast Asia have emerged as its strongest markets.
The company isn’t just an e-commerce play. By leveraging partnerships with global retailers like Walmart and Costco, JisuLife now sells its fans in more than 3,000 brick-and-mortar stores.
Founded in 2016, JisuLife initially experimented with products such as speakers and power banks, testing the waters of e-commerce. In 2018, the company shifted its focus to portable mini fans, addressing a domestic market saturated with unreliable products characterized by substandard batteries and poor materials, according to Chen Liang, JisuLife’s CMO.
The company’s pivot paid off when its first fan—a handheld model with extended battery life—quickly became a top seller on domestic e-commerce platforms. This success spurred JisuLife to expand internationally in 2019, targeting higher-income consumers. Its bear-shaped foldable fan, introduced on Amazon, was an instant hit. Today, the company offers a wide range of fan models, catering to diverse needs.
While portable mini fans might seem simple, JisuLife continues to innovate. Observing specific consumer challenges—such as keeping cool while walking dogs, exercising, or doing chores—the company developed a bladeless neck fan for hands-free operation. This product became a bestseller overseas.
Chen attributes much of the company’s growth to consumer feedback. “In many regions, gifting is a common practice. People often buy our fans as gifts for family and friends, which has significantly boosted sales.”
In 2022, JisuLife launched bladeless fans designed with child safety in mind, taking two years to reengineer airflow systems and motor structures for improved performance. By 2023, the company had introduced a high-speed, energy-efficient fan featuring aviation-grade turbo blades, capable of increasing airflow by 30% at the same speed.
Rather than customizing products for different regions, JisuLife prioritizes universal consumer needs: long battery life, strong airflow, portability, and minimal noise. This year, it unveiled three product lines—Life, Ultra, and Pro—targeting different preferences. The Life series includes five speed settings and a 5,000 mAh battery for up to 20 hours of use, while the Ultra and Pro lines feature adjustable speed levels and turbo airflow for hotter climates.
Marketing strategies vary by region. In North America, JisuLife targets women aged 35–45, particularly mothers. To appeal to this demographic, the company introduced a stroller fan with a unique octopus-shaped mount, bladeless design, air purification, and 270-degree oscillation, capable of lasting up to 17.5 hours.
<figure id="attachment_150963" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-150963" style="width: 480px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-150963" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/JisuLife-Stroller-Fan-1024x1024.jpg" alt="Image of JisuLife’s stroller fan from the Life series." width="480" height="480" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/JisuLife-Stroller-Fan-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/JisuLife-Stroller-Fan-300x300.jpg 300w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/JisuLife-Stroller-Fan-150x150.jpg 150w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/JisuLife-Stroller-Fan-768x768.jpg 768w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/JisuLife-Stroller-Fan-600x600.jpg 600w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/JisuLife-Stroller-Fan.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-150963" class="wp-caption-text">Image of JisuLife’s stroller fan from the Life series. Image and header image source: JisuLife.</figcaption></figure>
In Southeast Asia, where style is key, JisuLife collaborates with local influencers and trendy ambassadors to enhance its brand appeal. High-end retail placements in cities like Bangkok also help attract affluent shoppers.
Interestingly, Chen notes a shift in consumer behavior: North American buyers, influenced by platforms like Temu, have become more price-sensitive than their Southeast Asian counterparts. This has prompted JisuLife to emphasize functionality in North America, while prioritizing aesthetics and trends in Southeast Asia.
Today, international sales contribute 70% of JisuLife’s revenue, cementing its position in the portable mini fan market. Still, challenges loom. Shifts in consumer behavior and economic uncertainty could pressure pricing power and profitability. For JisuLife, the path ahead lies in solidifying its brand and doubling down on innovation to sustain its global edge.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3022886028289281">article</a> was written by Hu Yiting for 36Kr.

JisuLife logs stellar sales as portable mini fans become everyday essentials

… boasts a unique edge: exclusive access to over 46 million automotive-focused users who do not overlap with competitors’ platforms. Compared to niche automotive media, Kuaishou grants automakers access to untapped potential, creating fertile ground for new opportunities.
Kuaishou’s true strength lies in its reach across emerging markets. A significant percentage of its new users are noted to express interest in automotives, and this audience isn’t limited to specific regions but spans the entire country, with over 40% of them concentrated in northern and eastern China. In a saturated market where brand recognition is waning, the first automakers to effectively embed their messaging into these new audiences will secure a decisive advantage.
The rise of NEV brands through online platforms has opened new possibilities for the automotive industry, but not all automakers have transitioned smoothly. Many remain at the starting line, while others have leveraged platforms like Kuaishou to their advantage.
The question remains: Will the early adopters—the risktakers who pioneered these strategies—continue to lead, or will new trailblazers emerge to take their place?
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3047195175045764">article</a> was written by Xiao Xi for 36Kr.

Automakers make digital pivot as focus shifts to online sales

Kuaishou

… supervisors often rejected cost-effective materials, insisting on higher standards simply because they weren’t domestically certified.
In Peru, I found that locals could be even more diligent than their Chinese counterparts. I frequently received emails from lawyers and government officials in the early hours of the morning, completely upending my assumptions about the laidback reputation of Latin Americans. Their deep sense of humanity and focus on community welfare also stood out, especially in urban infrastructure planning.
A Latin American friend once told me that “work isn’t life’s entirety”—that they work to better enjoy life. Another said that they would never “kneel to earn money.” These perspectives left a lasting impression on me. I gradually began to understand and accept their approach to work, including the unheard-of half-month salary system and Ecuador’s “dignity wage” as mandated by labor law.
If you try to hustle in LATAM as you would in China, it’d be like punching into cotton—it gets you nowhere. Over the years, I’ve realized that the key to working here is not to resist but to embrace their way of life, which can unlock entirely new possibilities.
Born after 1985, my decade-plus journey in LATAM has taught me one fundamental lesson: to gain respect, you must set aside considerations of age and gender and focus solely on competence.
The difficulties are indescribable, like a fish drinking water—only it knows how cold or warm it is. I’ve cried under the pressure of negotiations that seemed to go nowhere. I’ve spent days on construction sites communicating with workers or hosting briefings, then returned to the office at night to sort employee files and pore over labor laws.
One of my proudest moments was achieving something no other Chinese company had done: obtaining “visto bueno”—a term for “negative employment records”—for two local workers who had repeatedly flouted workplace norms.
LATAM is full of stories, challenges, and opportunities. To thrive here, one must understand, adapt to, and integrate into this vibrant part of the world—after all, it’s their land, and we’re the guests pursuing our dreams.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3044912877931398">article</a> was written by Ren Qian for 36Kr.

Peru emerges as vital bridge between China and Latin America

LATAM

On November 28, Tencent's Polaris Quest officially revealed its latest game, Light of Motiram, on the Steam platform, with the launch date soon to be announced. The game, Tencent's second foray into the open-world survival genre, follows its receipt of a game license earlier this year in February.
According to its Steam page, the game combines open-world exploration, survival crafting, battles against colossal beasts, and the training of mechanical creatures. Early promotional material showcased some gameplay elements that bear similarities to popular titles like Monster Hunter and Palworld, giving the game a somewhat derivative feel.
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Official trailer for Light of Motiram. Video and header image source: Polaris Quest.
What strikes players as particularly familiar is the game's promotional art, which closely mirrors the visual style of Sony’s Horizon Zero Dawn. Additionally, the debut trailer showcases mechanical mounts and boss battles against giant robotic monsters, drawing further comparisons to Horizon Zero Dawn's design aesthetic.
Survival gameplay has long been a favorite among console and PC gamers. Tencent’s Arena Breakout and NetEase subsidiary ThunderFire’s LifeAfter are popular examples of this genre in the Chinese market. On the console side, titles like 7 Days to Die, Ark: Survival Evolved, and Rust are staples on bestseller lists.
Polaris Quest aims to differentiate Light of Motiram through advanced building mechanics powered by a realistic physics engine, making the building mechanics richer and more engaging. Whether constructing fortified strongholds or crafting ingenious shelters, every beam and brick reportedly adheres to authentic physical rules, balancing aesthetic appeal with functional resilience against environmental challenges.
The game's enhanced visuals and advanced engine technology come with a cost—high hardware requirements, which may alienate some players. Ensuring smooth cross-platform play, particularly for mobile devices, will also require significant development efforts to maintain a polished experience at launch.
<figure id="attachment_150945" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-150945" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-150945" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Tencent-Polaris-Quest-Light-of-Motiram-Gameplay-1024x576.jpg" alt="Image showcases a snippet of Light of Motiram gameplay." width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Tencent-Polaris-Quest-Light-of-Motiram-Gameplay-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Tencent-Polaris-Quest-Light-of-Motiram-Gameplay-300x169.jpg 300w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Tencent-Polaris-Quest-Light-of-Motiram-Gameplay-768x432.jpg 768w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Tencent-Polaris-Quest-Light-of-Motiram-Gameplay-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Tencent-Polaris-Quest-Light-of-Motiram-Gameplay-480x270.jpg 480w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Tencent-Polaris-Quest-Light-of-Motiram-Gameplay.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-150945" class="wp-caption-text">Image showcases a snippet of Light of Motiram gameplay. Image source: Polaris Quest.</figcaption></figure>
The breakout success of Black Myth: Wukong has galvanized Chinese developers, both large and small, to stake their claim in the gaming market. While many of these titles remain years away from completion, the domestic market's confidence in developing Chinese AAA games has reached new heights.
Polaris Quest, established in 2008, is one of Tencent Games’ four main development teams, known for delivering a variety of classic titles such as Moonlight Blade and Light and Night. It is regarded as one of the top-tier studios in China.
It’s worth noting that Polaris Quest previously released the battle royale game Ring of Elysium in 2018. Built on the QuicksilverX Engine, it was widely seen as Tencent's first major entry into Steam's competitive gaming categories. However, Ring of Elysium failed to significantly challenge contemporary hits like PUBG: Battlegrounds and was discontinued in late 2023.
Judging by the promotional material, Light of Motiram is not only Polaris Quest’s most ambitious and feature-rich project to date but also serves as Tencent’s flagship effort at breaking into the console gaming market.
Last year, Tencent Interactive Entertainment’s CEO for international gaming, Liu Ming, said that the company was committed to advancing its games-as-a-service (GaaS) strategy. The game is expected to adopt a free-to-play model, signaling its intent to build a sustainable, long-term player base.
However, breaking into the crowded international survival game market will be no small feat. The overseas market is already crowded with highly acclaimed games of similar genres, making it challenging to stand out. In the near term, Light of Motiram's breakthrough may hinge on its potential in the mobile platform space, capitalizing on untapped domestic opportunities within the cross-platform survival genre.
If Light of Motiram delivers top-notch quality, optimized gameplay, and exceptional localization, it has the potential to become another breakout hit.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3056748046635144">article</a> was written by Liu Shiwu for 36Kr.

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