With new gameplay features and maps unveiled, has Tencent’s “globalization” ambition for this game been realized?

On September 21, Tencent’s *Operation Delta* (hereinafter referred to as “*Operation Delta*”) celebrated its first anniversary. At the event, *Operation Delta* producer Shadow announced that the game’s daily active users in China had surpassed 30 million.

From 12 million DAU reported in April, to surpassing 20 million in July, and now reaching 30 million, the game has achieved an average growth rate of approximately 50% every three months. Just ahead of its anniversary celebration, *Operation Delta* also topped the iOS Top Grossing Chart for the first time.

This year, *Delta*, a Chinese-developed FPS game, has gone global, achieving cross-platform play and launching on all major platforms worldwide, emerging as a rising star in the "search, shoot, and retreat" genre.

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A passion with over 30 million daily active users

The figure of 30 million daily active users might seem a bit abstract, but when I was invited to the Hangzhou Delta anniversary celebration, it all became very real.

At the Hangzhou Delta anniversary celebration, over 2,000 players gathered, creating an electric atmosphere.

Days before the anniversary celebration even began, players who had traveled to Hangzhou specifically for *Delta* were already eager to transform West Lake into a “new in-game map”: the Broken Bridge became a strategic stronghold where cosplayers positioned their troops, while Leifeng Pagoda served as a key evacuation point, staging one thrilling evacuation after another.

The organizers were also very thoughtful, carefully setting up the "Heart of Africa" photo spot—which players had been eagerly anticipating—by the lake. Come nightfall, when the Delta drone show made its spectacular debut over West Lake, passing players were instantly captivated. They all pulled out their phones to capture the thrilling moment, and their cheers became another scenic highlight of West Lake that evening.

Suddenly, elements of *Delta* could be seen everywhere—from scenic spots to shopping mall screens and even the narrow alleys of the city. Hangzhou residents couldn’t help but remark, “Every step you take, you see *Delta*,” as if the entire city had been swept up in the film’s electrifying atmosphere.

On September 21, the Hangzhou Esports Center, the venue for the anniversary celebration, was swamped by enthusiastic gamers.

Long lines had formed at the ticket gates early on, and both inside and outside the venue, the place was teeming with gamers eager to check in. Some were dressed in costumes modeled after their in-game characters, carrying backpacks from the game, and holding carefully prepared props—as if they had stepped right out of the game world.

As the official cosplayer walked past the "Operator Gathering Area," the crowd erupted in excitement, and players rushed to raise their phones to capture the moment.

In the dining area, players who met through the game sat together, enjoying delicious food while enthusiastically discussing impressive in-game moves and tactical coordination, and sharing stories from their daily lives. Laughter and cheerful chatter filled the entire space.

At 3:00 PM, the opening show *Embers*, a meticulously prepared production that faithfully recreated scenes from the game, took the stage to great acclaim.Cosplayers and dancers worked in perfect harmony to bring the game’s intense battles and mysterious settings to life before the audience. With dazzling lights, rousing music, and spectacular choreography, players felt as if they were right in the thick of the action on the battlefields of *Delta*, instantly pushing the atmosphere to a fever pitch as cheers and shouts filled the venue.

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The "Global First" by the State Council Development Research Center's FPS

“Over the past year, we’ve taken the ‘first global step’ for FPS at the Institute of International Studies,” said Producer Shadow at the anniversary celebration.

In an interview with Game Grape, Shadow revealed that from the very beginning, *Delta* had been tasked with fulfilling Tencent’s global strategy, with the goal of creating a game that would remain popular for years to come.

Looking back on the progress made this year, *Delta*’s vision is gradually becoming a reality.

According to the data, on August 6, 2024, *Operation Delta* launched its global limited beta on Steam and topped the Twitch Gaming concurrent viewers chart within just one day. Nearly 20 streamers with over a million followers went live simultaneously, attracting approximately 245,000 international viewers across various streaming channels.

Among them, well-known streamers such as Summit1g, who has 6 million followers, and LVNDMARK, a top streamer for *Escape from Tarkov*, have both engaged in extended, intensive gameplay sessions.

At the 2024 Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, the hands-on demo area for *Delta* was packed with people, and international players showed strong interest.

Eurogamer, a leading European gaming publication, described *Delta* as “a very enjoyable experience,” while GameSpot noted that “the game has a solid foundation and excels in its core shooting mechanics.”

At the "2025 Fenghuo World Cup Finals," held on September 21 to celebrate the anniversary, teams from North America, Thailand, and Europe competed alongside the Chinese team. This clearly demonstrates the global reach of *Delta*.

However, now that it has taken the first step, will *Delta* be able to navigate the coming year smoothly?

The plans announced by Producer Shadow at the anniversary event may provide the answer. Whether it comes to gameplay innovations, IP collaborations, or expanding the esports landscape, the team has clear plans in place. In terms of gameplay, they not only aim to make the *Delta* experience more realistic, but also plan to introduce a new respawn mechanic and update the map in 2026.

In the video shown at the anniversary event, guns and ammunition could destroy everything—houses, trees, vehicles, and more—just like in real life, sending the crowd into a frenzy. A seasoned gamer sitting next to me exclaimed after watching it, “This level of realism is rare even among domestic and international FPS games.”

In addition, *Delta* will collaborate with KAYOO and Pop Mart to extend the fun of “opening mystery boxes” from the game into the real world, thereby expanding the possibilities for merchandise. In terms of esports, the company will build an esports ecosystem centered on a global reach, all game modes, and all competitive divisions.

These plans were met with cheers from the players at the event and have filled them with anticipation for the game’s future. For the *Delta* development team, this marks not only a new chapter but also a brand-new challenge.