The9 and Chengdu Lumosi to build AI-native short dramas, interactive games using TVB IP

The9 builds AI-native short dramas and interactive movie games around classic TVB IP

AI-native short dramas and interactive movie games are at the centre of a newly signed cooperation between The9 Limited’s Shanghai unit and Chengdu Lumosi, the companies announce. Shanghai The9 Information Technology Co. and Chengdu Lumosi Network Technology Co. sign a definitive agreement to develop AI-powered short drama formats and AI-assisted interactive movie games that draw on The9’s exclusive mobile game development and publishing license for the TVB classic The Greed of Man (大时代). The collaboration leverages recent advances in generative AI video technologies, including next-generation large-scale video generation models and AI-enabled production pipelines.

The partnership focuses on four technical and creative pillars: AI-powered short drama format development, AI-enhanced script iteration and cinematic scene generation, AI-driven interactive storytelling mechanics, and hybrid interactive movie game prototypes that blend cinematic narrative with player decision systems. Chengdu Lumosi contributes technical expertise in AI-driven content prototyping and interactive entertainment technology, while Shanghai The9 supplies the licensed IP and production strategy. The companies say AI tools will be used to prototype scenes, iterate scripts rapidly and generate cinematic assets, enabling faster turnaround from concept to pilot and lower per-episode production costs.

Gary Gao, The9’s chief operating officer, says advances in generative video technologies are reshaping the economics of scripted drama production and narrative-driven interactive entertainment. He adds that combining premium licensed drama IP with AI-native production workflows is expected to enhance development efficiency, shorten production cycles and create scalable new content formats for global short-form drama and interactive markets. The project prioritises mobile platforms and short-form video channels for distribution and aims to produce hybrid experiences that can operate as both bite-sized episodic dramas and interactive mobile games.

Company positioning and capabilities

Founded in 2004 and listed on U.S. markets, The9 presents itself as a diversified high-tech internet company engaged in online game operations, bitcoin mining and AI-driven drug discovery investment, with the Shanghai unit coordinating entertainment and AI content initiatives from its Hongkou District address.

IP strategy and distribution goals

The9 emphasises it is operating within authorised IP rights and values ongoing cooperation with TVB, and says it will evaluate additional high-quality drama IPs to expand the AI-driven content strategy. The partnership aims to accelerate time-to-market, reduce production costs per episode and target global distribution for short-form and mobile-first audiences.