Holyblade Network

What Holyblade Network does

Holyblade Network (圣剑网络) is a Shanghai-based, NEEQ-listed (stock code 839086) smart TV entertainment content developer founded in March 2013. The company develops and operates interactive TV games, esports content, educational applications, and AI-powered fitness services for distribution through China's IPTV and OTT channels, reaching claimed audiences of 100 million registered users, 20 million monthly active users, and 1 million paying members via partnerships with 20+ China Telecom operator provinces, 11 China Radio & TV operator provinces, 9 China Unicom operator provinces, 24 hardware OEMs, and 17 TV app stores.

The company's core technology is a proprietary Micro-end Game Platform (微端游戏平台) that streams Android-native games from cloud servers to low-specification set-top boxes, eliminating the need for local installation and reportedly reducing user churn by ~30%. The platform supports multi-screen interaction (gamepads, smartphone-as-controller, motion sensors), intelligent recommendation matching, and automatic cache management. The 70+ title self-developed game library is reinforced by IP licensing agreements with major Chinese animation franchises including Auldey's Armor Hero and Happy Baby, Yongsheng's Zhu Zhu Xia, CCTV Animation, and Barala Little Magic Fairy. In 2020, the company launched a cross-terminal cloud gaming platform covering IPTV, OTT, PC, and mobile channels, followed by an AI Cloud Fitness (AI云健身) product in 2023 built on self-developed AI body detection, AI pose recognition, and motion analysis engine.

Holyblade operates a B2B2C revenue model with five streams: monthly subscriptions for game content access, in-app purchases of virtual goods, in-game and platform advertising, peripheral merchandise (gamepads), and platform services for telecom operators (custom game hall construction and operations). Pricing is diversified across telecom operator billing, Alipay, WeChat Pay, and 话费 (phone-bill) payments. The company went public on the NEEQ in August 2016, entered the Innovation Layer in May 2020, received a RMB 18.74 million strategic investment from Tencent in September 2021, and signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Les Mills China in December 2022 to expand into AI-powered fitness content.

Name

Holyblade Network

Legal name

上海圣剑网络科技股份有限公司

Website

https://holyblade.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Holyblade Network is a Shanghai-headquartered, NEEQ-listed smart TV entertainment content developer that builds and distributes interactive TV games, esports, education, and AI-powered fitness content for IPTV and OTT channels across China via telecom operators and smart TV OEMs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Smart TV Interactive Entertainment / Cloud Gaming

NAICS

Amusement Arcades (713120), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

White-Label Cloud Gaming Platforms for Publishers/Telecoms (MPAFAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cloud Gaming Integration & Porting Services (Cloud builds, compatibility, QA) (MPAFAHAJ), Digital Game Distribution Platforms & Storefronts (PC/Mobile/Console) (MPAFABAB), Cloud Gaming Storefronts & Channels (MPAFACAF)

Keywords

• Smart TV gaming
• Interactive TV games
• Cloud gaming platform
• IPTV game development
• OTT game distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Shanghai

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Holyblade offers monthly subscription packages for game content access, providing recurring revenue from loyal users. The platform supports subscription models for specific game categories and entire game halls.
2. In-Game Purchases (In-App Purchases): Users purchase virtual goods, power-ups, character cards, gems, and premium content within games. Transaction fees and revenue share with channel partners apply. Games like 'Champion Football Manager' generated over 20,000 RMB in single-day revenue from IAP.
3. Advertising: Holyblade monetizes its large user base through in-game and platform advertising, including banner ads, sponsored content, and promotional placements within the game hall.
4. Peripheral Merchandise: The company generates revenue through sale of gaming peripherals and merchandise, including gamepads and other gaming accessories bundled with game services.
5. Platform Services for Operators: Holyblade provides complete game hall construction and operation services to telecom operators (e.g., Liaoning Telecom IPTV Game Hall), earning service fees for platform customization, technical integration, and ongoing content operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Holyblade Network develops and operates interactive entertainment platforms (games, esports, education, AI-powered fitness) for smart TV (IPTV and OTT) ecosystems. The company's flagship product is the Holyblade Game Hall (圣剑游戏大厅), which aggregates 70+ self-developed games using micro-end cloud loading technology for instant play on low-specification Android set-top boxes. Content is distributed via telecom operators (China Telecom, China Mobile, China Unicom), smart TV manufacturers, and TV app stores, reaching 100 million registered users across Chinese households.

Product overview

Holyblade Network (Holyblade Network Technology Co., Ltd.) is a unified smart TV entertainment platform offering interactive TV games, esports content, education, and AI-powered fitness services. The core product is the Holyblade Game Hall (圣剑游戏大厅) which aggregates hundreds of games with cloud-loading technology for instant play. Supporting platforms include the Cloud Gaming Platform (云游戏平台) for cross-terminal gaming, the Esports Platform (电竞平台) for esports video and competitions, and the Education Platform (教育平台). Key game products include Holyblade Alliance (圣剑联盟) card battle game, Barala Little Magic Fairy (巴啦啦小魔仙) running game, Champion Football Manager (冠军足球经理) management game, and various anime IP-based titles like Ultraman (奥特曼) and Zhu Zhu Xia (猪猪侠). The company also launched AI Cloud Fitness (AI云健身) featuring AI body detection and pose recognition. Content is distributed across IPTV and OTT channels including telecom operators and TV manufacturers, serving family users with games, esports, education, and fitness entertainment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 圣剑游戏大厅: 公司自研的跨终端云游戏平台，于2020年正式推出，覆盖IPTV、OTT、PC、手机等渠道
• 圣剑联盟
• 王牌电竞

Products and services

• Holyblade Game Hall (圣剑游戏大厅) Holyblade Network's flagship interactive TV game platform/lobby that aggregates and distributes hundreds of TV games across IPTV and OTT channels. Features proprietary cloud loading technology for instant play without local installation, multi-terminal compatibility (IPTV set-top boxes, OTT smart TVs, mobile), and supports multiple payment methods including operator carrier billing, WeChat Pay, and Alipay.
• AI Cloud Fitness (AI云健身) AI-powered cloud fitness platform for smart TVs featuring self-developed AI body detection, AI pose recognition, and motion analysis engines. Provides fitness content with real-time exercise tracking and form feedback for home fitness on TV.
• Cloud Gaming Platform (云游戏平台) Cross-terminal cloud gaming platform enabling Android-native games to run on IPTV set-top boxes and OTT smart TVs without local installation using cloud loading technology. Supports IPTV, OTT, PC, and mobile channels and reached 10 million+ registered users with 2 million MAU by 2020.
• Esports Platform (电竞平台) Smart TV esports content platform aggregating esports video content, competition broadcasts (including PEL/Peace Elite League), player matching for multiplayer, esports news, replays, and analysis content. Includes an esports-branded 'Wangpai Esports' (王牌电竞) video section.
• Education Platform (教育平台) Smart TV education content platform providing educational games and learning content for children and family users, extending Holyblade's family entertainment ecosystem beyond pure games.
• Champion Football Manager (冠军足球经理) Football management simulation network game with card collection and cultivation mechanics, the first football management simulation on smart TV. Created a record of over RMB 20,000 in single-day in-app purchase revenue.
• Ultraman (奥特曼) Side-scrolling action game with official Ultraman IP license featuring multiple Ultraman characters with unique skills and special moves. Won the 2016 Innovation Application Software award.
• Holyblade Alliance (圣剑联盟) Western fantasy-themed card battle network game where players collect and cultivate hero cards, upgrade team strength to challenge BOSS battles. Features multiplayer interaction and competitive arena modes. Won Best TV Game at the Golden Penguin Awards.
• Barala Little Magic Fairy (巴啦啦小魔仙) Anime IP-based running/combat game featuring characters from the popular Chinese animated series, launched with official license from the IP owner. Featured film-game linkage marketing synchronized with theatrical release.
• Three Kingdoms Generals (三国神将传) Card battle game based on Three Kingdoms IP, recognized by Skyworth-Coocaa as the Best Revenue-Generating TV Game.
• Zhu Zhu Xia Series (猪猪侠系列) Multiple TV games based on the popular children's animation IP Zhu Zhu Xia, including side-scrolling adventure and combat titles such as Zhu Zhu Xia Five Spirit Guardian, Zhu Zhu Xia Dream Guardian, and Zhu Zhu Xia Transforms into Little Hero.

Quantifiable outcome

• Platform reduces user churn by ~30% through instant-play functionality vs traditional download/install model
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Les Mills China (莱美中国)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2022Holyblade Network and Les Mills China announced a strategic cooperation and equipment distribution agreement starting December 2022. Les Mills is a globally recognized fitness brand from New Zealand with 50+ years of history. Holyblade will integrate Les Mills' premium fitness course content onto Internet and IPTV platforms, creating new windows for family smart health life. The partnership was formally inaugurated in January 2023 with attendance from Holyblade's chairman/CEO Gong Jingyi and Les Mills China VP Zhu Tianying.
• PEL (Peace Elite League/和平精英职业联赛)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Holyblade Network has been PEL (Peace Elite League) TV media partner for three consecutive years (2019-2021). In September 2020, PEL announced an investment of over RMB 100 million into the esports ecosystem. Holyblade brings PEL esports content to TV screens, expanding audience reach for competitive gaming and共建电竞生态圈 (co-building the esports ecosystem).
• Future Media (北京未来媒体科技股份有限公司)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 January 2017Holyblade Network entered a strategic cooperation with Future Media (a mixed-ownership enterprise approved by the Xinjiang Broadcasting and Television Bureau) in January 2017. Future Media focuses on AI and VR applications in cultural media. The partnership leverages Holyblade's game content and Future Media's operator relationships in the Xinjiang region, creating complementary synergies.
• Dangbei Market (当贝市场)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 28 January 2016Holyblade Network partnered with Dangbei Market (当贝市场), one of China's largest third-party TV app stores, to distribute games including 'Ultraman' under a monthly subscription model (包月畅玩). Dangbei serves as a discovery and distribution channel reaching millions of smart TV users.
• Tongfang Cloud Can (同方云罐/清华同方)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2016Holyblade Network partnered with Tongfang (清华同方) to provide game content for the Tongfang Cloud Can (云罐) smart home hub. Holyblade was among the first game companies to partner with Tongfang's gaming platform, with joint marketing activities and special game promotions on the Tongfang platform.
• Fengxing TV (风行电视/东方明珠)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 December 2015Holyblade Network served as a content partner for the launch of Fengxing 4K TV in December 2015, providing premium HD TV game content. Fengxing TV was backed by Oriental Pearl Media, Baomu Technology, and Storm Media, and aimed to reach 10 million monthly active users within 3 years.
• Kung Fu Animation (功夫动漫)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2015Holyblade Network partnered with Kung Fu Animation to develop a TV game based on the animated series 'Dream Adventure' (梦想总动员). The partnership gave Holyblade access to the popular Chinese animation IP for game development, while Kung Fu Animation expanded its derivative product channels through Holyblade's TV gaming platform.
• Fruit Bonbon 4 (果宝特攻4)minorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 24 November 2015Holyblade Network served as co-developer and operator for 'Fruit Bonbon 4' (果宝特攻4) TV game, partnering with Manman Tao Technology and Star Entertainment. The IP is one of China's leading children's animation franchises with nationwide TV ratings championships in 2012.
• Mu Qiling (木奇灵/武汉博润通文化科技股份有限公司)minorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 20 October 2015Holyblade Network signed a licensing agreement with Wuhan Boruntong (Mu Qiling IP owner) in October 2015 to develop a TV game based on the 'Mu Qiling 2' (木奇灵2圣天灵种) animated series. The IP had achieved 1.2% TV ratings and 70 million online views, providing a strong fan base for the game adaptation.
• Balala Little Magic Fairy (巴啦啦小魔仙)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 October 2015Holyblade developed the official 'Balala Little Magic Fairy' (巴啦啦小魔仙) TV running game with an正版授权 (official license) from the IP owner. The game achieved a film-game linkage (影游联动) with the film's theatrical release, winning multiple industry awards and generating strong revenue. The IP had influenced three generations of female viewers since 2008.
• CCTV Animation (央视动画)minorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 May 2015Holyblade Network signed a licensing agreement with CCTV Animation (央视动画) in May 2015, providing access to premium Chinese animation IPs for TV game development.
• China Telecom iGame (爱游戏) and Alibaba Games (阿里游戏)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 23 January 2015Holyblade's flagship game 'Champion Football Manager' launched simultaneously on China Telecom iGame TV Game Hall and Alibaba Games (阿里游戏) platforms in January 2015, marking one of Holyblade's earliest multi-platform launches.
• Yongsheng Animation (咏声动漫)minorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 June 2013Holyblade signed a licensing agreement with Yongsheng Animation (咏声动漫) in June 2013 for the 'Zhu Zhu Xia Xia' (猪猪侠) IP, which became a top-performing title on IPTV platforms and set new revenue records for Holyblade.
• Auldey Animation (奥飞动漫)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 April 2013Holyblade Network signed multiple animation IP licensing agreements with Auldey Animation (奥飞动漫), one of China's largest animation companies. Holyblade secured rights to IPs including 'Happy Baby' (开心宝贝) and 'Armor Hero' (铠甲勇士) in April 2013, which became some of its most successful IPTV games, setting revenue records on the platform.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• China Telecom iGame (天翼爱游戏): China Telecom's official TV game and value-added entertainment platform for IPTV subscribers, distributing Android-native games via set-top boxes. Directly comparable to Holyblade because it serves the same telecom-operator IPTV audience with a similar game-hall business model and was an early launch partner for Holyblade titles such as Champion Football Manager.
• Hisense TV Gaming (海信电视游戏): Hisense operates a smart-TV gaming platform as one of Holyblade's direct OEM partners. Comparable because it embeds game content on its TV devices and competes for the same family-room use cases that Holyblade's game hall targets.
• Future TV (未来电视): CCTV-licensed OTT operator (China's central broadcaster) that distributes interactive TV games, including Holyblade's content, to a national smart-TV subscriber base. Comparable because it operates the same B2B2C model — partnering with telecom operators and OEMs while running an OTT game platform — and recognizes Holyblade with annual partnership awards.
• iQIYI Game Hall (爱奇艺游戏大厅): iQIYI's TV-based game hall distributes interactive entertainment on smart TVs and OTT set-top boxes. Comparable to Holyblade because it is an OTT-first game platform with IP-licensed casual games and was a launch partner for Champion Football Manager alongside Alibaba Games.
• Skyworth Coocaa (创维酷开): Smart-TV OEM Coocaa (owned by Skyworth) runs its own TV game platform and awards 'Best Revenue-Generating TV Game' titles, an award previously given to Holyblade's Three Kingdoms Generals. Directly comparable as an OEM-embedded TV gaming ecosystem competing for the same developer and content relationships.
• Xiaomi TV / Mi Box Gaming (小米电视游戏): Xiaomi's smart-TV and Mi Box ecosystem distributes TV games and OTT content via its own app store and OEM partnerships, including Holyblade titles. Comparable as a vertically integrated smart-TV OEM and app store that competes with Holyblade's multi-OEM distribution strategy.
• Migu Video Games (咪咕视频游戏): China Mobile's Migu subsidiary operates a TV game and esports content platform distributed through Mobile's IPTV/OTT channels. Comparable to Holyblade because it sells cloud gaming, casual, and esports content to the same Mobile operator user base and consistently ranks titles such as Champion Football Manager and Zhu Zhu Xia in its TOP10 lists.

Broad incumbents

• Huawei Cloud Gaming (华为云游戏): Huawei's cloud gaming service built on its cloud infrastructure and pushed through telecom-operator partnerships. Comparable as a deep-pocketed incumbent competing for the same white-label cloud gaming contracts with Chinese carriers that currently host Holyblade's platform.
• Tencent Start (腾讯先锋): Tencent's cloud gaming platform offering PC and mobile game streaming with deep integration into Tencent's content library (the same Tencent that took a strategic stake in Holyblade). Comparable as a broad Chinese cloud gaming incumbent whose expansion into telecom and TV channels directly overlaps Holyblade's white-label cloud gaming offering.
• Alibaba Games / Aliyin (阿里游戏): Alibaba's gaming arm distributes cloud and OTT games on smart TVs through partnerships (including Holyblade's Daily Fishing 2 launch) and runs Aliyin 4K platforms. Comparable as a broad Chinese internet incumbent entering the same TV game and cloud gaming space with deeper capital and parent-ecosystem distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors5 records

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 Holyblade Network