Siba Media Founder Wang Zijie Passes Away; Pioneer Behind JiuYou Network and Games like Audition

Death announced, details sparse

It has been reported that Wang Zijie, founder of Siba Media (丝芭传媒), has died. Wang was also the founder of JiuYou Network (久游网络) and played a key role in bringing casual online titles such as Audition (劲舞团) to Chinese players. Few details about the circumstances or cause have been released; the report originates from Chinese media outlet ifeng and company statements are limited.

A quiet architect of China’s early online-game era

Wang’s career intersected with the boom years of China’s online and social gaming market, when light, socially driven MMOs and rhythm-dance titles found mass audiences among teens and young adults. Audition in particular became a cultural touchstone in the region — a multiplayer dance game that mixed avatars, music and microtransactions — and helped establish business models that persist in China’s games industry today. What did that change? It shifted how millions of users experienced online social play and how developers monetized light, persistent social worlds.

His passing comes as the industry recalibrates

The death of a founder associated with that formative period arrives while China’s gaming sector is undergoing renewed regulatory scrutiny and market consolidation, and amid broader geopolitical tensions that affect cross‑border deals, IP flows and investment. Reportedly, Wang’s businesses had influence beyond pure entertainment, touching on talent incubation and digital culture; his passing will be noted both inside China’s game studios and among regional players who grew up on titles his groups helped popularize.

Legacy and next steps

No public notice has yet outlined funeral arrangements or a corporate succession plan. It has been reported that colleagues and industry peers are offering condolences online. For Western readers unfamiliar with the names, Siba Media and JiuYou were part of the wave that turned China into one of the world’s largest gaming markets — a legacy that will endure even as the industry’s rules and players continue to evolve.