In 2025, the Chinese video‑game market crossed the $50 billion milestone for the first time, registering a 5.4 percent increase over the previous year and reaching a total revenue of $51.8 billion. This landmark achievement underscores the resilience and expanding appetite for interactive entertainment in the world’s most populous country. According to a fresh analysis released by market‑research firm Niko Partners, the upward trajectory is set to continue, with a projected 4 percent rise in 2026 that would lift the market size to roughly $53.9 billion. By the close of the decade, the firm anticipates the sector will generate almost $60 billion—specifically $59.8 billion—representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 2.9 percent over the five‑year span.
Player numbers are expected to swell in parallel with revenue. Niko Partners estimates that by 2030 the Chinese gaming audience will total approximately 769 million individuals, up from the current base, and that the average weekly playtime will climb to 15.8 hours per user, compared with 14.1 hours recorded last year. This increase in both the size of the community and the intensity of engagement suggests that gamers are spending more of their leisure time on digital titles, a trend that fuels higher spend on in‑game purchases, subscriptions, and ancillary services.
The research attributes the robust growth to a combination of strong launches of new titles and sustained performance of established “evergreen” games that continue to attract players long after their initial release. In particular, the report highlights the surge of mini‑games—a segment that now accounts for nearly one‑fifth of all mobile gaming expenditure.
About 80 percent of Chinese gamers report playing mini‑games, making this genre a major driver of overall market expansion. Discovery channels are also evolving. Nearly half of the gaming population relies on short‑form video platforms—such as Douyin, Kuaishou, and other TikTok‑style apps—to learn about new releases, watch gameplay clips, and gather community insights. These platforms have become essential marketing vectors, enabling developers to reach audiences quickly and organically.
Despite the market’s health, a sizable portion of Chinese gamers still circumvents the nation’s internet restrictions to access foreign content. The study finds that 66 percent of respondents employ various workarounds: 30.8 percent connect to overseas servers, 33.6 percent use gaming‑accelerator services that route traffic through less‑restricted pathways, and 21.9 percent rely on virtual private networks (VPNs). This behavior reflects both a demand for global gaming experiences and the ongoing tension between regulatory controls and consumer preferences.
Policy developments are also shaping the landscape. Earlier in the year, the Chinese government incorporated video games into its 15th Five‑Year Plan (2026‑2030), formally recognizing the sector as a component of national economic and social development. Previously classified merely as digital cultural products, games now enjoy a higher strategic profile, which could translate into more supportive regulations, investment incentives, and infrastructure funding.
Niko Partners outlines five overarching trends that will define China’s gaming ecosystem through 2030: 1. **Expansion of niche genres** – As the market matures, players are seeking more specialized experiences, prompting developers to explore genres beyond the mainstream battle‑royale and casual titles.
2. **Growth of out‑of‑app monetisation** – Revenue streams that exist outside the traditional app store model—such as subscription services, cloud gaming, and cross‑platform ecosystems—are expected to gain traction. 3. **Regulatory refinement** – Continued clarification and stabilization of government policies are likely to reduce uncertainty for publishers and investors.
4. **Higher spending on premium PC and console games** – With rising disposable income, a segment of gamers is willing to pay more for high‑quality, immersive experiences on higher‑end hardware. 5.
**Integration of generative AI** – Developers are rapidly adopting AI tools throughout the production pipeline, from procedural content generation to player‑facing features such as dynamic storytelling and adaptive difficulty. The report emphasizes that Chinese game studios are already leveraging generative AI to accelerate development cycles, enhance visual fidelity, and create user‑generated content platforms that empower players to design and share their own experiences. This AI‑driven momentum is also stimulating demand for hardware components, particularly RAM and advanced semiconductors, as studios require more processing power to run sophisticated models. In summary, while the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure and the ongoing evolution of regulatory frameworks present both opportunities and challenges, Niko Partners remains confident that sustained innovation, clearer policy guidance, and deep player engagement will continue to underpin long‑term growth in China’s gaming market.
The sector’s ability to blend cutting‑edge technology with a massive, increasingly active user base positions it as a pivotal engine of digital entertainment revenue well into the next decade.