In 2025, the Chinese video‑game market broke through 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 landmark achievement underscores the resilience and expanding appetite for interactive entertainment across the world’s largest gaming population. 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 foresees the sector swelling to $59.8 billion by the close of 2030, translating to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 2.9% over the five‑year span. Player numbers are expected to mirror this revenue expansion. Niko Partners estimates that the total Chinese gaming audience will climb to 769 million users by 2030.
Not only will the headcount rise, but average weekly engagement is also projected to increase, with gamers spending an estimated 15.8 hours per week on average—up from 14.1 hours in the previous year. This deeper immersion suggests that games are becoming an even more integral part of daily life for a broad cross‑section of Chinese consumers. The report attributes the surge in both earnings and player activity to a combination of strong launches of new titles and the sustained popularity of long‑standing evergreen games. In particular, mini‑games have emerged as a “major growth segment.” Roughly 80% of Chinese gamers report playing these bite‑sized experiences, and the genre now accounts for close to one‑fifth of all mobile‑gaming spend.
The appeal of quick, accessible sessions—often integrated into larger platforms or social apps—has helped to broaden the market’s reach beyond traditional hardcore audiences. Discovery channels are also evolving.
Nearly half of the surveyed players indicated that they first learn about new games through short‑video platforms, such as Douyin and Kuaishou. These services act as powerful cross‑media conduits, blending entertainment, user‑generated content, and algorithmic recommendations to funnel fresh titles into the hands of curious gamers.
Despite the market’s rapid growth, a significant proportion of Chinese gamers continue to circumvent domestic internet restrictions. The study found that 66% of respondents employ some form of bypass technique. Among them, 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 location. This widespread use of circumvention tools highlights both the demand for unrestricted gaming experiences and the challenges regulators face in balancing control with consumer desire.
Policy shifts are also reshaping the landscape. Earlier in the year, China incorporated video games into its 15th Five‑Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development (2026‑2030). Previously classified merely as “digital cultural products,” games are now recognized as a strategic component of the nation’s cultural and economic agenda.
This elevation is likely to bring greater regulatory clarity, encourage investment, and stimulate innovation across the sector. Niko Partners identified five overarching trends that will define China’s gaming market through 2030: 1. Expansion of niche genres, such as strategy, simulation, and educational titles, catering to more specialized player interests. 2.
Growth of out‑of‑app monetisation models, including cross‑platform subscriptions, cloud‑based services, and merchandise tied to game IPs. 3. Ongoing regulatory improvements that aim to streamline approval processes while maintaining content standards. 4.
Increased consumer willingness to spend on premium PC and console experiences, reflecting rising disposable incomes and a maturing gamer demographic. 5. The integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI) into both development pipelines and player‑facing features.
The report stresses that Chinese developers are “rapidly embracing generative AI” to accelerate content creation, personalize gameplay, and enhance user‑generated content platforms. This AI‑driven boom is also stimulating demand for high‑performance hardware, particularly RAM and semiconductor components, as studios require more processing power to train and run sophisticated models.
In summary, while the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure fuels hardware demand, Niko Partners maintains that “ongoing innovation, regulatory clarity, and robust player engagement continue to support long‑term market growth” in China. The convergence of a growing player base, diversified monetisation strategies, and supportive policy frameworks suggests that the Chinese gaming ecosystem will remain a pivotal engine of global entertainment revenue for the foreseeable future.