In 2025, the Chinese video‑game market broke through 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 landmark achievement underscores the resilience and expanding scale of one of the world’s largest gaming ecosystems. According to a fresh analysis released by market‑research firm Niko Partners, the upward trajectory is expected to continue, albeit at a slightly slower pace. The consultancy projects a 4 percent rise in 2026, which would lift the market size to roughly $53.9 billion.
Looking further ahead, the forecast anticipates that by 2030 the sector will generate close to $60 billion—specifically $59.8 billion—translating into a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 2.9 percent over the five‑year horizon. Player demographics are also set to expand dramatically. Niko Partners estimates that the number of active gamers in China will climb to 769 million by the end of the decade.
In addition to sheer volume, the average amount of time each gamer spends playing each week is projected to increase from 14.1 hours in 2024 to 15.8 hours in 2030, indicating deeper engagement and longer session lengths across the board. The firm attributes this robust growth to a combination of strong performance from newly launched titles and the continued popularity of long‑standing evergreen games. Both categories have outperformed expectations, delivering higher than anticipated revenue streams and keeping player interest high.
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. The bite‑sized, quick‑play nature of mini‑games aligns well with the mobile‑first habits of Chinese consumers, making it a fertile ground for monetisation.
Discovery channels have also evolved. Nearly half of all players now turn to short‑form video platforms—such as Douyin and Kuaishou—to learn about new releases, watch gameplay clips, and gather community insights.
These platforms have become essential marketing vectors, blurring the line between entertainment and promotion. Despite the market’s rapid expansion, a sizable portion of the player base continues to navigate around the country’s internet restrictions.
The report reveals that 66 percent of gamers employ various circumvention techniques. Among them, 30.8 percent connect to overseas servers, 33.6 percent rely on gaming accelerators to reduce latency, and 21.9 percent use virtual‑private networks (VPNs) to bypass firewalls and access global content. Policy developments have begun to reflect the sector’s economic importance. Earlier this year, the Chinese government incorporated video games into its 15th Five‑Year Plan (2026‑2030) for National Economic and Social Development, elevating games from a niche cultural product to a recognized pillar of the digital economy.
This shift signals a more supportive regulatory environment and may pave the way for clearer guidelines and incentives. Niko Partners highlights five overarching trends that will shape China’s gaming landscape over the next five years: 1.
**Growth in niche genres** – Titles that cater to specialized interests, such as strategy, simulation, and educational games, are expected to capture larger slices of the market. 2. **Rise of out‑of‑app monetisation** – Developers are increasingly looking beyond in‑app purchases, exploring subscription models, cross‑platform bundles, and external merchandise sales. 3.
**Regulatory improvements** – Greater clarity and consistency in policy will reduce uncertainty for publishers and encourage investment. 4. **Higher spending on premium PC and console experiences** – As disposable incomes rise, more gamers are willing to invest in high‑end hardware and premium titles, expanding the traditionally mobile‑centric market.
5. **Integration of generative AI** – AI tools are being woven into development pipelines, from procedural content generation to AI‑driven player‑facing features, accelerating production cycles and enhancing personalization.
The report notes that Chinese game studios are rapidly adopting generative AI across both back‑end development workflows and front‑end player experiences. This adoption dovetails with a broader surge in user‑generated content platforms, where creators leverage AI to produce assets, narratives, and even entire game worlds.
While the proliferation of AI infrastructure fuels demand for high‑performance hardware—particularly RAM and semiconductor components—Niko Partners emphasizes that the fundamental pillars of market growth remain intact. Ongoing innovation, clearer regulatory signals, and sustained player enthusiasm collectively underpin a long‑term outlook that is both optimistic and resilient for China’s gaming industry. In summary, the Chinese gaming market’s breach of the $50 billion threshold marks a pivotal moment, setting the stage for continued expansion, diversification of genres, and deeper integration of cutting‑edge technologies such as generative AI.
With a projected near‑$60 billion valuation by 2030, a burgeoning player base, and evolving consumption habits, the sector is poised to remain a cornerstone of China’s digital economy for years to come.