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 research from Niko Partners projects that the sector will continue its upward trajectory, expanding by roughly 4% in 2026 to $53.9 billion and ultimately arriving at $59.8 billion by the close of 2030. This translates to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 2.9% over the five‑year span. Player numbers are expected to follow a similar pattern of growth.
By 2030, the Chinese gaming audience is forecast to swell to approximately 769 million individuals, up from the current base. In parallel, average weekly playtime is predicted to rise to 15.8 hours per user, compared with 14.1 hours recorded in the most recent year, indicating that gamers are not only increasing in quantity but also devoting more time to their hobby. Niko Partners attributes the surge in both revenue and user engagement to a combination of unexpectedly strong performance from newly released titles and sustained popularity of long‑standing evergreen games. The report highlights the significance of mini‑games, describing them as a “major growth segment.” Roughly 80% of Chinese gamers regularly interact with mini‑games, a genre that now accounts for nearly one‑fifth of all mobile‑game spending in the country.
Discovery channels are also evolving. Almost half of the player base relies on short‑form video platforms—such as TikTok‑style apps—to learn about new releases, watch gameplay clips, and gather information across multiple operating systems.
This shift underscores the growing importance of social and video‑centric media in shaping purchasing decisions and driving downloads. Despite the market’s rapid expansion, the report notes that a sizable portion of gamers—66%—employ various techniques to circumvent China’s internet censorship policies. Among those surveyed, 30.8% reported playing on overseas servers, 33.6% make use of gaming‑accelerator services to reduce latency, and 21.9% turn to virtual‑private networks (VPNs) to access restricted content.
Policy developments are also influencing the industry’s outlook. Earlier this year, the Chinese government 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 now enjoy a more formalized status within the nation’s strategic economic framework, suggesting a potential easing of regulatory constraints and increased support for innovation. Looking ahead, Niko Partners identifies five overarching trends that will shape China’s gaming landscape over the next half‑decade: 1.
**Growth of niche genres** – Smaller, specialized game categories are gaining traction, appealing to more segmented audiences and diversifying revenue streams. 2.
**Rise of out‑of‑app monetisation** – Publishers are increasingly leveraging cross‑platform purchases, subscriptions, and external marketplaces to generate income beyond the traditional app‑store model. 3. **Regulatory improvements** – Continued clarification and stabilization of government policies are expected to create a more predictable operating environment for developers and investors.
4. **Higher spending on premium PC and console experiences** – As disposable income rises, a larger segment of gamers is willing to invest in high‑end hardware and premium titles, narrowing the historical gap between mobile‑dominant spending and console/PC markets.
5. **Integration of generative AI** – Artificial‑intelligence tools are being rapidly adopted throughout development pipelines, from procedural content generation to AI‑driven player‑facing features.
This trend is complemented by a broader boom in user‑generated content platforms, where creators can produce and monetize their own game assets and experiences. The report emphasizes that the acceleration of generative‑AI infrastructure is also fueling demand for high‑performance hardware, notably RAM and semiconductor components, as developers require more computational power to train and run sophisticated models. Nonetheless, Niko Partners remains confident that the combination of ongoing innovation, clearer regulatory signals, and strong, engaged player communities will sustain long‑term growth for China’s gaming market. In summary, the Chinese video‑game sector is on a robust growth path, buoyed by expanding player bases, longer engagement times, evolving monetisation strategies, and supportive policy shifts.
The convergence of these factors—paired with cutting‑edge AI adoption and a vibrant ecosystem of creators—positions China to remain one of the world’s most dynamic and lucrative gaming markets well into the next decade.