In 2025, the Chinese video‑game market broke through the $50 billion threshold for the first time, recording a year‑over‑year increase of 5.4 percent and reaching an estimated $51.8 billion in revenue. This landmark achievement underscores the resilience and expanding appetite for interactive entertainment in the world’s most populous nation, even as the sector navigates shifting regulatory landscapes and evolving consumer habits. 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 percent growth in 2026, which would lift total market earnings to roughly $53.9 billion.
More ambitiously, the forecast predicts that by 2030 the industry will generate close to $60 billion—specifically $59.8 billion—implying a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 2.9 percent over the next five years. These figures suggest that China’s gaming ecosystem will remain a dominant engine of digital consumption well into the next decade.
Player numbers are expected to expand in parallel with revenue. Niko Partners estimates that the country’s active gaming population will climb to 769 million users by 2030, up from roughly 720 million today.
In addition to sheer headcount, the average weekly playtime per gamer is projected to rise from 14.1 hours last year to 15.8 hours in 2030, indicating deeper engagement and longer session lengths across the board. The research attributes this sustained growth to a combination of factors. First, newly launched titles have performed better than anticipated, capturing both early adopters and casual audiences.
Second, legacy evergreen games—those that have remained popular for years—continue to generate robust revenues, benefiting from regular updates, live‑ops events, and strong community support. Together, these dynamics have created a virtuous cycle of spending and retention. One segment that stands out as a major driver is the mini‑game category. Roughly 80 percent of Chinese gamers report playing mini‑games, and this genre now accounts for almost one‑fifth of all mobile‑gaming expenditure.
Mini‑games, often characterized by short, highly accessible sessions and frequent micro‑transactions, fit well with the mobile‑first habits of many users and have become a staple of app stores and social platforms. Discovery channels are also evolving. Nearly half of all players now turn to short‑form video platforms—such as Douyin, Kuaishou, and other TikTok‑style services—to learn about new releases, watch gameplay clips, and gather tips.
These platforms have become powerful marketing engines, allowing developers to reach audiences quickly and organically. Despite the market’s growth, a sizable portion of the gaming community continues to circumvent the country’s internet censorship mechanisms. The report reveals that 66 percent of respondents employ at least one method to bypass restrictions.
Of these, 30.8 percent connect to overseas servers, 33.6 percent rely on gaming accelerators that route traffic through less‑restricted pathways, and 21.9 percent use virtual private networks (VPNs) to access content that would otherwise be blocked. Policy developments also play a crucial role.
Earlier in the year, the Chinese government incorporated video games into its 15th Five‑Year Plan (2026‑2030) for National Economic and Social Development. Previously classified merely as digital cultural products, games are now recognized as strategic components of the digital economy, reflecting an official acknowledgment of their economic and cultural significance. Niko Partners highlights five overarching trends that are likely to shape the industry over the next five years: 1.
**Growth of niche genres** – Titles that cater to specific interests—such as simulation, strategy, or educational games—are gaining traction, diversifying the portfolio beyond mainstream action and RPG titles. 2. **Rise of out‑of‑app monetisation** – Developers are increasingly looking beyond in‑app purchases, exploring subscription models, cross‑platform ecosystems, and merchandise sales to generate revenue. 3.
**Regulatory improvements** – Ongoing clarification of content guidelines and licensing procedures is expected to reduce uncertainty for publishers and encourage investment. 4. **Higher consumer spend on premium PC and console experiences** – As disposable income rises, more gamers are willing to invest in high‑end hardware and premium titles, expanding the market beyond mobile‑centric spending.
5. **Integration of generative AI** – Chinese studios are rapidly adopting AI tools throughout development pipelines, from procedural content generation to player‑facing features such as dynamic dialogue and personalized recommendations. The adoption of generative AI is especially noteworthy.
Firms are leveraging AI to accelerate asset creation, streamline testing, and enhance user‑generated content platforms. This technological push not only reduces production costs but also fuels a broader boom in community‑driven content, where players can create and share their own levels, skins, and narratives. The surge in AI infrastructure has also spurred demand for high‑performance hardware, particularly RAM and semiconductor components, reinforcing the symbiotic relationship between the gaming sector and the broader tech supply chain. In summary, despite regulatory complexities and the need for workarounds to access certain services, China’s gaming market remains on an upward path.
Continuous innovation, clearer policy frameworks, and strong player engagement collectively underpin a long‑term growth outlook. As the ecosystem matures, developers, investors, and policymakers alike will need to stay attuned to evolving consumer preferences, emerging technologies, and the strategic importance of gaming within China’s digital economy.