In 2025, China’s video‑game market crossed the $50 billion threshold for the first time, posting a 5.4 percent year‑over‑year increase that lifted total revenues to roughly $51.8 billion. This landmark achievement signals a continued upward trajectory for the world’s largest gaming ecosystem, a trend that is reinforced by a fresh analysis from market‑research firm Niko Partners. According to the firm’s latest outlook, the sector is expected to expand by another 4 percent in 2026, nudging the market size to about $53.9 billion. By the close of the decade—2030—the Chinese games industry is projected to generate close to $60 billion, specifically $59.8 billion, which translates into a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.9 percent over the five‑year span.
Player numbers are set to rise in tandem with revenue. Niko Partners estimates that the total base of gamers in China will swell to roughly 769 million individuals by 2030. Not only will more people be playing, but the intensity of play is also climbing: average weekly playtime is forecast to climb from 14.1 hours in the previous year to 15.8 hours per week, indicating deeper engagement per user. The firm attributes this robust growth to a combination of strong performance from newly released titles and sustained popularity of long‑standing evergreen games.
Both categories have exceeded expectations, delivering higher-than‑anticipated spend per user and keeping the ecosystem vibrant. One segment that stands out as a major driver is the mini‑game market.
Roughly 80 percent of Chinese gamers report participating in mini‑games, and this category now accounts for almost one‑fifth of all mobile‑gaming expenditures. The bite‑size, quick‑play nature of mini‑games fits well with the country’s mobile‑first consumption habits and the growing appetite for casual, socially connected experiences.
Discovery channels are also evolving. Close to half of Chinese 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 powerful marketing vectors, blurring the line between entertainment and promotion.
Despite the market’s rapid expansion, a significant portion of the user base continues to navigate around the nation’s internet controls. The report notes that 66 percent of gamers employ various techniques to bypass censorship.
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 access content that would otherwise be restricted. Policy developments are also reshaping the landscape. Earlier in the year, the Chinese government incorporated video games into its 15th Five‑Year Plan (2026‑2030) for National Economic and Social Development, elevating games from the previous classification of merely “digital cultural products” to a recognized pillar of the digital economy. This official endorsement is expected to bring greater regulatory clarity and potentially more supportive measures for developers and publishers.
Niko Partners highlights five overarching trends that will define the market over the next five years: 1. **Expansion of niche genres** – titles that cater to specific interests, such as simulation, strategy, and educational games, are gaining traction. 2. **Growth of out‑of‑app monetisation** – developers are increasingly looking beyond in‑app purchases to revenue streams like subscriptions, merchandise, and cross‑platform ecosystems.
3. **Regulatory improvements** – clearer guidelines and a more predictable approval process are expected to reduce friction for new releases. 4.
**Higher consumer spend on premium PC and console experiences** – as disposable income rises, gamers are willing to invest in higher‑end hardware and premium titles. 5. **Integration of generative AI** – artificial‑intelligence tools are being woven into both development pipelines and player‑facing features, accelerating content creation and personalization. The report underscores that Chinese game studios are rapidly adopting generative AI technologies across the entire production chain.
From procedural level design and character animation to dynamic narrative generation, AI is helping creators produce richer experiences at lower cost and faster speed. Simultaneously, a broader boom in user‑generated content platforms is empowering players to craft and share their own creations, further deepening engagement. The surge in AI infrastructure has also sparked demand for high‑performance hardware, particularly RAM and semiconductor components, as developers require more computational power to run sophisticated models.
Nonetheless, Niko Partners remains optimistic, stating that ongoing innovation, clearer regulatory frameworks, and steadfast player enthusiasm will continue to underpin long‑term growth in China’s gaming market. In summary, the combination of expanding user numbers, longer play sessions, strong performance from both new and legacy titles, and the rise of mini‑games and AI‑driven development paints a picture of a vibrant, resilient industry. With governmental support solidifying its status as a strategic sector and with players increasingly turning to short‑form video for discovery, the Chinese gaming ecosystem appears poised not only to maintain its current momentum but to set new benchmarks for revenue and engagement through 2030.