What tiancity.com does

世纪天成 (TianCity) is a privately held Chinese online game publisher and operator, legally domiciled as 上海邮通科技有限公司 (Shanghai Youtong Technology Co., Ltd.) and headquartered in Xuhui, Shanghai. Founded in 2004, the company operates a multi-title portfolio of licensed PC and mobile games under its own platform brand, including Counter-Strike Online (Valve license), Mabinogi, Mabinogi Heroes, MapleStory: Legend, Kartrider/Popkart (Nexon licenses), Free Basketball, Closers, Black Beacon (Nexon-developed mobile ARPG), Yuanxing Jijie, and Era of Civilization. Distribution is conducted directly through the tiancity.com portal, a unified PC launcher (TC GAME), iOS/Android app stores, and a unified payment and account-security ecosystem anchored by the Tiancheng Manager mobile app.

The business model rests on three revenue streams: (1) sale of virtual currencies (天成点数 and game-specific currencies such as 喷漆 for Free Basketball, batteries for Kartrider, and 铭牌 for CSO) used to buy in-game items, cosmetics, and character upgrades; (2) tiered monthly subscriptions on Free Basketball Classic Server — Match Membership at 54 yuan/month, Card Membership, and Fashion Membership at 78 yuan/month — that grant skill slots, rental fashion items, and graduate-level card loadouts; and (3) account-services and value-added member features sold through the Tiancheng Manager app and Recharge Center. Pricing is fragmented by title rather than unified across the portfolio. The company's go-to-market is product-led and event-driven: acquisition and retention flow through in-game events, seasonal updates, Douyin live streams, Bilibili content, WeChat Official Accounts, Baidu Tieba communities, and annual ChinaJoy participation.

TianCity's competitive position is anchored in two decades of accumulated IP licensing rights, a 200M+ registered-player flagship title (Popkart), and a unified account/security/payments infrastructure that creates cross-title lock-in. The company also operates a parental monitoring system in place since 2010 and implemented mandatory real-name authentication in 2021, reflecting regulatory compliance as a structural feature of its operating model. The legal entity has no disclosed parent company, no institutional investors, no funding rounds, and no public listing.

Name

tiancity.com

Legal name

上海邮通科技有限公司

Website

https://tiancity.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Game Publishing

NAICS

Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912)

SIC

Retail-Computer & Computer Software Stores (5734)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Game Distribution Platforms & Storefronts (PC/Mobile/Console) (MPAFABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

PC Digital Game Stores & Launchers (MPAFACAA), Mobile Game Publishing & App Game Stores (BPAMAKAB)

Keywords

• Online gaming platform
• PC client games
• Mobile game publishing
• Virtual currency sales
• Subscription gaming services

Headquarters

HQ city

Xuhui

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Virtual Currency and Item Sales: Players purchase virtual currencies (天成点, game-specific currencies like 喷漆 for Free Basketball, batteries for Kartrider) to buy in-game items, character upgrades, and cosmetics. Each game has its own virtual currency system.
2. Subscription Membership: Free Basketball Classic Server offers tiered subscription memberships including Match Membership (54 yuan/month providing skill slots and perks), Card Membership, Fashion Membership (78 yuan/month), and Power Value Membership, allowing players to rent premium items and access exclusive benefits.
3. Account Services: Revenue generated from account-related services including account security tools, VIP services, and value-added member features through the TianCity Account Manager app.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Century Tiancheng (tiancity.com) operates an online game publishing platform in China, distributing a portfolio of licensed PC and mobile games under a unified account system (世纪天成通行证). The company monetizes its titles through in-game virtual currency and item sales, character purchases, and tiered subscription memberships (e.g., Free Basketball Classic Server memberships). It also provides a TC GAME unified launcher, account security tools, parental monitoring, and multi-channel customer support.

Product overview

Century Tiancheng (世纪天成) operates a multi-platform gaming portfolio centered on PC client games and mobile games. The core PC offerings include TC GAME launcher, Counter-Strike Online (反恐精英Online), Free Basketball (自由篮球), Mabinogi (洛奇), Mabinogi Heroes (洛奇英雄传), Closers (封印者), and Popkart (跑跑卡丁车). Mobile titles include BlackBeacon (黑色信标), Yuanxing Jijie (远星集结), MapleStory: Legend (冒险岛：枫之传说), and Popkart Racing (跑跑卡丁车官方竞速版). The ecosystem is supported by the Tiancheng Manager app (天成管家), a unified recharge center, customer service platform, parental control system, and security center. Free Basketball Classic Server (自由篮球：经典服) represents a subscription-based alternative version.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TC GAME: Unified game client platform for all TianCity PC games
• 天成管家APP

Products and services

• TC GAME Unified PC game client providing one-click access to all TianCity PC games, automatic updates, integrated customer service, and secure in-game payment channels. Targeted at individual PC gamers in China.
• 反恐精英Online (CSO / Counter-Strike Online) First-person shooter featuring human vs. zombie modes, custom map building, and movie-style PVE challenges. Operated by TianCity as a licensed adaptation of Valve's Counter-Strike franchise for the Chinese market.
• 自由篮球 (Free Basketball) 3v3 American street basketball MMO with smooth controls, authentic HipHop aesthetics, and flashy skill combinations. Targets individual PC gamers in China.
• 自由篮球：经典服 (Free Basketball: Classic Server) Subscription-based classic server version of Free Basketball featuring tiered memberships (Match, Card, Fashion, Power Value) and balanced character cards for a more casual gameplay experience.
• 洛奇 (Mabinogi) Highly free-form MMORPG with immersive anime-style graphics, diverse game content, and pastoral dream-like gameplay experience. Licensed from Nexon for the Chinese market.
• 洛奇英雄传 (Mabinogi Heroes) Action MMO featuring sensuous character designs, impactful combat feedback, and fluid real-action gameplay. Licensed from Nexon.
• 封印者 (Closers) Anime-style action game with distinct characters, light novel-style story progression, and spectacular skill effects in an ACG-themed adventure.
• 跑跑卡丁车 (Popkart) Casual kart racing game based on simple drift mechanics. Achieved 200 million players with smooth drift controls. Licensed from Nexon for the Chinese market.
• 黑色信标 (Black Beacon) Dual-perspective ARPG mobile game featuring unlimited skill combos. Players join the Seers to fight visions from other worlds and uncover the truth about intersecting worlds. Developed by Nexon and operated by TianCity in China.
• 远星集结 (Yuanxing Jijie) Dungeon loot-shooter bullet hell mobile game with strategic combat, co-op boss battles, and continuous performance optimization.
• 冒险岛：枫之传说 (MapleStory: Legend) Side-scrolling pixel RPG mobile game produced by Nexon, faithfully recreating classic MapleStory content including Rainbow Island, Toy City, and bosses like Zakum.
• 跑跑卡丁车官方竞速版 (Popkart Racing) Official mobile racing game based on classic Popkart, with unique gameplay and refined graphics. Authorized franchise for the Chinese market.
• 战争与文明 (Era of Civilization) Multi-civilization SLG strategy mobile game created by overseas Civilization development team, described as an epic war strategy game.
• 天成管家APP (Tiancheng Manager) Standalone mobile application for account security management including password recovery, security tool setup, account unbanning, game locks, account locks, spending locks, and phone number changes.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200 million+ registered players for flagship title 跑跑卡丁车 (Kartrider)

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ChinaJoy Organizing CommitteeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 July 2024TianCity confirmed participation in ChinaJoy 2024 exhibition at Shanghai New International Expo Center Booth N2-09 to showcase their game portfolio including the newly announced Black Beacon (黑色信标).
• NexoncoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerNexon is the original developer of key game titles operated by TianCity in China including Mabinogi (洛奇), MapleStory (冒险岛: 枫之传说), and Kartrider (跑跑卡丁车). TianCity operates these games as licensed versions for the Chinese market.
• Valve CorporationcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerTianCity operates Counter-Strike Online (反恐精英Online), a licensed version of Valve's Counter-Strike franchise adapted for the Chinese market with unique game modes and content.
• Nexon (for Black Beacon)coreTechnology or IntegrationBlack Beacon (黑色信标) is developed by Nexon and operated by TianCity in China as a classical sci-fi ARPG mobile game featuring gacha mechanics and story-driven content.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Giant Network: Chinese publisher operating legacy online titles (Zhengtu, ZT Online). Comparable to TianCity as a mid-tier Chinese operator reliant on long-lived licensed or adapted MMOs rather than blockbuster mobile hits.
• Shengqu Games (formerly Shanda Games): Historic Chinese publisher/operator of licensed MMOs (Legend of Mir, AION, etc.). Directly comparable as a long-running Chinese platform focused on operating licensed online games rather than developing first-party blockbusters.
• Changyou (Sohu): Chinese publisher historically focused on operating licensed Western/Korean MMOs (e.g., TLBB, Dungeon & Fighter) in China. Closely comparable to TianCity as a mid-tier licensed-operator rather than a first-party developer.
• KongZhong Corporation: Chinese publisher/operator of licensed online games and mobile titles with established distribution. Comparable in scale and licensed-operator positioning to TianCity within the Chinese market.
• Zhongqingbao (ZQGame): Smaller-tier Chinese online game publisher focused on operating and distributing titles in the domestic market. Comparable to TianCity as a niche, single-geography operator without first-party blockbuster development.

Broad incumbents

• Tencent Games: China's largest game publisher and the distributor of TianCity's own Popkart Racing mobile title through WePop. Operates WeGame distribution platform and a portfolio of licensed and first-party titles, directly comparable in distribution plus publishing scope.
• 37 Interactive Entertainment (37Games): Large Chinese mobile-and-PC publisher with broad licensed and first-party catalog. Comparable in business model (multi-title publishing platform) though materially larger and more mobile-native than TianCity.
• NetEase Games: One of the two dominant Chinese online game publishers/operators, publishing both self-developed and licensed Western/Korean titles. Directly comparable to TianCity as a multi-game publishing platform competing for Chinese gamer spend.
• Perfect World Games: Mid-to-large Chinese publisher with both first-party and licensed MMOs/ARPGs in China. Comparable to TianCity as a multi-title PC-and-mobile publisher with an established operational backbone.

Others

• Nexon Korea: Original developer and licensor of Kartrider, Mabinogi, MapleStory, and BlackBeacon — the IP core of TianCity's portfolio. Comparable as the upstream content source and a strategic counterparty whose publishing decisions directly shape TianCity's revenue.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about tiancity.com