The9 turns TVB's The Greed of Man into AI-driven short dramas and interactive games
- Shanghai The9 signed with Chengdu Lumosi to make AI-powered short dramas and interactive movie games using The9's TVB license. • The9 says AI workflows cut production time and costs, enabling scalable mobile-first short-format drama series. • The9 plans to expand AI-driven IP strategy, evaluating more premium drama rights while preserving authorized cooperation with TVB.
The9 bets on AI to rework classic TVB drama for mobile and short video
AI-native short dramas and interactive games based on TVB IP
The9 Limited’s Shanghai subsidiary signs a definitive cooperation with Chengdu Lumosi Network Technology to create AI-powered short dramas and AI-assisted interactive movie games using The9’s mobile development and publishing license for the TVB classic The Greed of Man. The deal leverages recent advances in generative AI video models and AI-enabled production pipelines that allow automated scene generation, rapid script iteration and lower-cost visual prototyping. Chengdu Lumosi supplies AI content prototyping and interactive entertainment technology while Shanghai The9 drives IP-led creative direction.
The collaboration focuses on four technical 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-driven decision systems. The9 says these AI-native workflows shorten production cycles and reduce per-episode costs, enabling more scalable short-form drama series designed for mobile distribution and short-form video platforms worldwide. Gary Gao, The9’s chief operating officer, is quoted as saying generative AI video technologies are reshaping the economics of scripted drama production and narrative-driven interactive entertainment.
The9 underscores that it operates within its authorized rights and values ongoing cooperation with TVB, and it is evaluating additional premium drama IPs to expand its AI-driven content strategy. The company anticipates the partnership will accelerate time-to-market for new formats and establish prototypes that can be adapted for global short-form and interactive markets, with a particular emphasis on mobile-first consumption and player engagement models.
Company background and strategy
Founded in 2004 and listed on Nasdaq, The9 is a diversified high-technology internet company engaged in online games operation, Bitcoin mining and AI-driven drug discovery investment. The move into AI-native scripted and interactive formats extends the firm’s content and technology playbook, applying in-house IP rights and gaming expertise to the broader entertainment ecosystem.
Industry implications
Industry observers view the deal as part of a broader convergence between gaming, film-style storytelling and generative AI, where legacy drama IPs are repackaged into short, interactive experiences that fit mobile viewing habits. The approach raises questions about creative control, licensing practices and quality standards as automated production tools scale content output for global distribution.