In 2025 China’s video‑game market crossed the $50 billion threshold for the first time, posting a year‑on‑year increase of 5.4% and reaching a total revenue of $51.8 billion. The latest outlook from market‑research firm Niko Partners suggests the sector will keep expanding, albeit at a more modest pace. The firm projects a 4% rise in 2026, which would lift the market size to roughly $53.9 billion, and anticipates a cumulative growth to $59.8 billion by the end of 2030.
This trajectory translates into a five‑year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 2.9%. Player numbers are also on an upward swing.
Niko Partners estimates that by 2030 the Chinese gaming audience will swell to around 769 million active users. Not only will the headcount increase, but the amount of time each gamer spends in‑game is set to climb as well. Weekly average playtime is expected to rise from 14.1 hours in the previous year to 15.8 hours per week, indicating deeper engagement and longer session lengths across the board.
The agency attributes this dual boost in revenue and user base to a combination of strong launches of new titles and the sustained popularity of legacy evergreen games. In other words, fresh releases are delivering better‑than‑anticipated performance, while older, proven franchises continue to generate steady income streams.
One of the most dynamic segments highlighted in the report is the mini‑game category. Roughly 80% of Chinese gamers report playing mini‑games, and this genre now accounts for almost one‑fifth of all mobile‑gaming expenditure.
The appeal of bite‑sized, quick‑play experiences appears to be a major driver of overall market health, especially as mobile devices dominate daily consumption. Discovery habits are also evolving. Nearly half of the gaming population turns to short‑form video platforms—such as Douyin, Kuaishou and other TikTok‑style apps—to learn about new releases, watch gameplay clips, and gather community insights. These platforms have become essential marketing channels, blurring the line between entertainment and promotion.
Despite the market’s vigor, a sizable portion of players still circumvents the country’s internet restrictions. According to the survey, 66% of respondents employ some form of bypass technique. Of those, 30.8% connect to overseas servers, 33.6% rely on gaming accelerators to reduce latency, and 21.9% use virtual private networks (VPNs) to mask their traffic and gain access to blocked content. Policy shifts are also influencing the industry’s outlook.
Earlier in the year, China incorporated video games into its 15th Five‑Year Plan (2026‑2030) for National Economic and Social Development, elevating them from the narrower classification of "digital cultural products" to a broader strategic pillar. This official endorsement signals greater governmental recognition of the sector’s economic contribution and could pave the way for more supportive regulations. Looking ahead, Niko Partners identifies five overarching trends that will shape the Chinese gaming landscape over the next half‑decade: 1.
**Growth of niche genres** – Developers are increasingly targeting specialized audiences, expanding beyond mainstream action‑RPGs and battle‑royale formats. 2. **Rise of out‑of‑app monetisation** – New revenue models that generate income outside the traditional app store ecosystem, such as cross‑platform subscriptions and external marketplaces, are gaining traction. 3.
**Regulatory improvements** – A clearer, more predictable policy environment is expected as authorities refine guidelines for content approval, age‑rating, and data security. 4. **Higher spending on premium PC and console titles** – As disposable income rises, Chinese gamers are allocating more of their budgets to high‑quality, higher‑price experiences on PCs and consoles, a segment that historically lagged behind mobile.
5. **Integration of generative AI** – Both developers and publishers are rapidly adopting generative artificial intelligence across the creation pipeline, from procedural content generation to player‑facing features like AI‑driven NPCs and dynamic storytelling. The report underscores that Chinese game studios are embracing generative AI not just for internal efficiencies but also to enrich user‑generated content platforms, fostering a broader ecosystem where players can co‑create and share custom assets. This AI‑driven creativity is expected to fuel a "boom" in user‑generated content, further deepening engagement.
Beyond software, the surge in AI infrastructure is stimulating demand for hardware components, particularly RAM and semiconductor chips, as developers require more processing power to run sophisticated models. Nevertheless, Niko Partners cautions that the market’s long‑term health will continue to rest on three pillars: ongoing innovation in game design, clearer regulatory frameworks that reduce uncertainty, and sustained player enthusiasm. In summary, China’s gaming market has entered a new phase of maturity. With revenues topping $50 billion, a growing base of nearly 770 million gamers, and a diversification of genres, platforms, and monetisation strategies, the sector appears well‑positioned for steady expansion through 2030.
The convergence of supportive policy, technological advances—especially in AI—and evolving consumer habits suggests that the industry will remain a key driver of digital entertainment and economic activity in the years to come.