A scene of "Strinova," an anime-style third-person tactical shooter developed by Shenzhen iDreamSky. The game is infused with numerous elements of traditional Chinese culture. Weibo account "Daily Game Recommender"
Shenzhen iDreamSky's latest creation, "Strinova," an anime-style third-person tactical shooter, has taken the global gaming community by storm, according to local Chinese-language reports.
Just two hours after its international launch Nov. 22, the game soared to the top of online game platform Steam's new product chart. By last weekend, "Strinova" had amassed over 35,000 players, solidifying its position as a leading Chinese competitive shooting game on the global stage.
Blending anime aesthetics with dynamic tactical gameplay, the game introduces the revolutionary Stringification Mechanism, which enables players to seamlessly transition between 2D and 3D forms. Players can soar above battlefields for a bird's-eye view, stick to walls for stealthy maneuvers, or transform into a paper-thin form to dodge incoming fire. These transformations trade offensive capabilities for agility, emphasizing the importance of timing and situational awareness.
This mechanic redefines the third-person shooter genre by empowering players with creative tactics to outmaneuver adversaries.
"Strinova" weaves traditional Chinese cultural elements into its gameplay by hosting festive events like the Spring Festival, where players can participate in traditions like hanging lanterns and setting off fireworks.
Leveraging the popular Games as a Service (GaaS) model for its global launch, "Strinova" focuses on delivering a continuous stream of updates, enhanced services, and improved user experiences. This approach aims to foster long-term relationships with players worldwide by actively responding to feedback and adapting the game to meet evolving expectations.
Wang Xu, co-founder and chief analyst at Gamma Data, hailed the global success of "Strinova" as a milestone for China's gaming industry.
Shenzhen has been actively cultivating its gaming sector through supportive policies and dedicated funding initiatives. To build itself into an international esports capital, the city aims to introduce three to five esports products by 2025 that deliver both social and economic benefits. Additionally, Shenzhen seeks to establish leading esports enterprises, host high-impact esports events, and build state-of-the-art venues tailored to the industry's needs.
To further encourage innovation, the city government offers financial incentives of up to 2 million yuan (US$276,000) for impactful esports games that have been in operation for over a year. These rewards provide critical support to gaming enterprises and drive advancements in the gaming sector.