In 2025, the Chinese video‑game market broke the $50 billion barrier for the first time, posting a year‑over‑year increase of 5.4 percent and reaching a total revenue of $51.8 billion. This milestone reflects the sustained appetite of Chinese gamers and the continued strength of both new releases and long‑standing titles that dominate the market. According to a fresh analysis released by market‑research firm Niko Partners, the sector is expected to keep expanding, albeit at a slightly slower pace. The forecast predicts a 4 percent rise in 2026, lifting the market size to roughly $53.9 billion.
By the close of the next five‑year planning period, 2030, total revenues are projected to climb to $59.8 billion, which translates into a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 2.9 percent over the 2025‑2030 span. The report also outlines demographic trends that will shape the industry’s future.
The total number of gamers in China is anticipated to swell to 769 million by 2030, up from the current base. In parallel, average weekly playtime is expected to increase from 14.1 hours in the previous year to 15.8 hours per week, indicating that players are not only becoming more numerous but also spending more time engaged with their favorite titles.
Niko Partners attributes this robust growth to a combination of factors. First, the performance of newly launched games has exceeded expectations, delivering strong launch‑day revenues and rapid user acquisition.
Second, legacy evergreen games—those that have remained popular for years—continue to generate substantial income, thanks to regular updates, events, and community support. Together, these dynamics have driven both revenue and player‑base expansion beyond what analysts originally anticipated.
One segment that stands out as a major growth engine is the mini‑game category. Approximately 80 percent of Chinese gamers report playing mini‑games, and this genre now accounts for nearly one‑fifth of all mobile‑game spending in the country. Mini‑games, which are typically short, highly accessible, and often integrated into larger platforms or social apps, have proven especially appealing to casual players and those who spend time on short‑form entertainment. Their popularity is bolstered by the fact that they can be monetized through a variety of mechanisms, including in‑app purchases, ads, and cross‑promotion with larger titles.
Discovery channels are also evolving. The study finds that almost half of Chinese gamers turn to short‑form video platforms—such as Douyin, Kuaishou, and Bilibili—to learn about new games, watch gameplay footage, and gather tips. These platforms have become essential marketing venues, allowing developers to reach audiences through influencer partnerships, live streams, and bite‑sized promotional clips. The convergence of gaming and short video content is reshaping how titles gain traction and how players make purchasing decisions.
Despite the market’s vigor, a significant portion of the player community continues to navigate around the country’s internet censorship regime. The research indicates that 66 percent of respondents employ some method to bypass restrictions. Among them, 30.8 percent connect to global servers, 33.6 percent rely on gaming accelerators that route traffic through less‑restricted pathways, and 21.9 percent use virtual private networks (VPNs). This circumvention behavior underscores both the demand for unrestricted gaming experiences and the challenges regulators face in balancing control with consumer desire.
Policy developments also play a pivotal role. Earlier in the 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 are now recognized as a strategic component of the nation’s digital economy, reflecting an official acknowledgment of their economic and cultural significance.
This shift may lead to clearer regulatory guidelines, more supportive investment policies, and greater integration of gaming into broader technology initiatives. Looking ahead, Niko Partners identifies five key trends that will shape the Chinese gaming landscape over the next half‑decade: 1. **Growth of niche genres** – As the market matures, players are seeking more specialized experiences, from hardcore strategy titles to immersive simulation games.
Developers that can cater to these sub‑communities stand to capture loyal audiences. 2. **Rise of out‑of‑app monetisation** – Revenue streams that extend beyond the traditional app store, such as cross‑platform subscriptions, merchandise, and blockchain‑based assets, are expected to become more prevalent.
3. **Regulatory improvements** – The inclusion of games in the Five‑Year Plan suggests a move toward more transparent and predictable oversight, which could reduce uncertainty for both domestic and foreign investors. 4. **Increased spending on premium PC and console titles** – While mobile remains dominant, there is a growing appetite among Chinese gamers for high‑quality PC and console experiences, driven by rising disposable income and improved hardware accessibility.
5. **Integration of generative AI** – Chinese developers are rapidly adopting generative AI tools across the production pipeline, from procedural content creation to AI‑driven NPC behavior and player‑facing features. This technological infusion is also sparking a broader boom in user‑generated content platforms, where creators can leverage AI to build and share custom game assets. The surge in generative AI infrastructure has had ancillary effects on the broader technology supply chain, notably increasing demand for high‑performance RAM and semiconductor components required to run AI models efficiently.
Nevertheless, Niko Partners remains optimistic, asserting that continuous innovation, clearer regulatory frameworks, and deep, sustained player engagement will keep the Chinese gaming market on a long‑term growth trajectory. The combination of a massive, increasingly active player base, evolving monetisation models, and cutting‑edge technology adoption positions China to remain a dominant force in the global video‑game ecosystem for years to come.