In 2025, China’s video‑game market broke the $50 billion barrier for the first time, posting a year‑on‑year increase of 5.4% and reaching a total revenue of $51.8 billion. This achievement marks a significant inflection point for the world’s largest gaming ecosystem, underscoring both the resilience of domestic developers and the appetite of Chinese gamers for a diverse array of experiences. According to a fresh analysis released by market‑research firm Niko Partners, the upward trajectory is set to continue.
The consultancy projects a modest 4% growth in 2026, which would lift the market size to roughly $53.9 billion. More ambitiously, the forecast anticipates the sector expanding to $59.8 billion by 2030, translating into a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.9% over the five‑year span. These figures suggest that, even after the pandemic‑driven boom has faded, the Chinese gaming landscape will retain a steady growth rhythm driven by new content, evolving monetisation models, and broader macro‑economic trends.
One of the most striking data points in the report is the expected swell of the player base. Niko Partners estimates that by 2030 the number of active gamers in China will climb to 769 million, up from roughly 720 million today. Not only will more people be playing, but the average weekly playtime is also projected to rise, reaching 15.8 hours per user compared with 14.1 hours in the previous year. This increase in engagement reflects both the growing penetration of smartphones and high‑speed internet, as well as a cultural shift that sees gaming increasingly woven into daily leisure routines.
The firm attributes the surge in both revenue and user numbers to a “stronger‑than‑expected performance from both newly launched titles and legacy evergreen games.” In other words, while blockbuster releases continue to draw massive attention, a stable core of long‑running titles—particularly those that receive regular updates and seasonal events—remains a reliable revenue engine. This dual‑track success model has helped cushion the market against the volatility that can accompany a reliance on a single hit.
Mini‑games have emerged as a particularly vibrant segment within the broader ecosystem. Niko Partners notes that about 80% of Chinese gamers engage with mini‑games, a genre that now accounts for nearly one‑fifth of all mobile‑game spending. These bite‑sized experiences, often embedded within larger platforms or social apps, benefit from low barriers to entry, short session lengths, and frequent monetisation opportunities such as micro‑transactions and ad‑based rewards.
Their popularity signals a shift toward more casual, on‑the‑go gaming habits, especially among younger demographics who spend considerable time on mobile devices. Discovery channels are also evolving. The study finds that almost half of Chinese players turn to short‑video platforms—such as Douyin, Kuaishou, and Bilibili—to learn about new games, watch gameplay footage, and share opinions.
This trend highlights the growing convergence between entertainment formats: video‑content creators act as de‑facto curators, influencing purchasing decisions and driving organic user acquisition for developers. Despite the market’s rapid growth, it operates within a complex regulatory environment.
The report reveals that 66% of Chinese gamers employ various techniques to circumvent the country’s internet censorship. Among those surveyed, 30.8% reported playing on overseas servers, 33.6% use gaming accelerators to reduce latency, and 21.9% rely on virtual private networks (VPNs). These work‑arounds illustrate both the demand for unrestricted access to global titles and the challenges that policymakers face in balancing cultural control with industry vitality.
Policy developments have begun to reflect this tension. Earlier in the year, the Chinese government incorporated video games into its 15th Five‑Year Plan (2026‑2030) for National Economic and Social Development, elevating them from a niche digital‑cultural product to a recognized pillar of the digital economy.
This formal acknowledgement is expected to bring greater regulatory clarity, potentially easing approval processes for new releases and encouraging investment in innovative technologies. Niko Partners also identified five macro‑trends that will shape the market over the next half‑decade: 1.
**Growth in niche genres** – titles that cater to specific interests—such as simulation, strategy, or educational games—are gaining traction as the player base diversifies. 2. **Rise of out‑of‑app monetisation** – developers are increasingly leveraging cross‑platform ecosystems, subscription services, and cloud‑gaming models to generate revenue beyond the traditional app‑store framework.
3. **Regulatory improvements** – clearer guidelines and more predictable approval timelines are expected to reduce uncertainty for publishers.
4. **Higher spending on premium PC and console experiences** – as disposable incomes rise, a growing segment of gamers is willing to invest in high‑end hardware and premium titles, reviving interest in the PC and console segments that had previously lagged behind mobile. 5.
**Integration of generative AI** – AI tools are being adopted across development pipelines, from procedural content creation to player‑facing features like dynamic dialogue and adaptive difficulty. The report emphasises that Chinese game studios are “rapidly embracing generative AI across development pipelines and player‑facing features,” and that a broader boom in user‑generated content platforms is fueling creativity and community engagement.
The surge in AI‑driven tools is also stimulating demand for hardware components such as high‑capacity RAM and advanced semiconductors, creating a feedback loop between the gaming sector and China’s broader technology supply chain. In summary, while the Chinese gaming market continues to expand in size and sophistication, its future appears anchored by a blend of strong consumer demand, evolving monetisation strategies, and supportive policy shifts. Niko Partners concludes that “ongoing innovation, regulatory clarity, and robust player engagement continue to support long‑term market growth” in China, suggesting that the industry will remain a cornerstone of the nation’s digital economy for years to come.