In 2025, China’s video‑game market broke through the $50 billion barrier for the first time, posting a year‑on‑year increase of 5.4% and reaching a total revenue of $51.8 billion. This landmark achievement signals the continued vitality of the world’s largest gaming ecosystem and sets the stage for further expansion in the coming years.
According to a fresh analysis released by market‑research firm Niko Partners, the sector is expected to maintain a moderate upward trajectory, expanding by roughly 4% in 2026 to an estimated $53.9 billion. The forecast continues through the end of the decade, projecting a cumulative market size of $59.8 billion by 2030. Over the five‑year span, this translates into a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 2.9%, indicating steady, if not explosive, growth. One of the most striking elements of the report is the anticipated swelling of the player base.
Niko Partners predicts that by 2030, China will host around 769 million active gamers, up from roughly 720 million in 2025. In addition to sheer numbers, average weekly playtime is expected to climb from 14.1 hours per user last year to 15.8 hours per user in 2030, reflecting deeper engagement and longer sessions across a variety of platforms.
The firm attributes this robust performance to a combination of factors. First, newly launched titles have outperformed expectations, delivering strong launch‑day revenues and retaining players longer than earlier projections suggested. Second, legacy evergreen games—titles that have been on the market for several years—continue to generate substantial income, benefitting from regular updates, seasonal events, and community‑driven content. Together, these dynamics have lifted overall revenue and expanded the active user pool.
Mini‑games, a sub‑genre that includes short, often casual experiences, have emerged as a major growth engine. Approximately 80% of Chinese gamers report playing at least one mini‑game, and this segment now accounts for nearly one‑fifth of all mobile‑gaming spend. The popularity of bite‑sized experiences is driven by the ubiquity of smartphones, the rise of short‑form video platforms that showcase gameplay clips, and the low barrier to entry for both developers and players.
Discovery channels are also evolving. The study finds that almost half of all players turn to short‑video apps—such as Douyin, Kuaishou, and similar services—to learn about new releases, watch reviews, and follow influencers.
These platforms have become essential marketing venues, allowing developers to reach massive audiences with concise, visually engaging content. Despite the market’s growth, a significant proportion of gamers continue to navigate around China’s internet censorship regime. The report notes that 66% of respondents employ some form of circumvention technique.
Among them, 30.8% connect to overseas servers, 33.6% rely on gaming accelerators that route traffic through less‑restricted pathways, and 21.9% use virtual private networks (VPNs) to mask their location. This behavior underscores both the demand for unrestricted gaming experiences and the challenges regulators face in balancing control with consumer desire.
Policy developments also shape the industry’s outlook. 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 now enjoy a more formal recognition as a strategic economic sector, hinting at potential regulatory refinements and supportive measures that could further stimulate growth. Niko Partners highlights five key trends that will likely define the Chinese gaming landscape over the next five years: 1.
**Expansion of niche genres** – Genres such as simulation, strategy, and indie titles are gaining traction, catering to more sophisticated or specialized player tastes. 2.
**Rise of out‑of‑app monetisation** – Developers are increasingly looking beyond in‑app purchases, exploring subscription models, cross‑platform economies, and merchandise sales. 3. **Regulatory improvements** – As the sector matures, clearer guidelines and streamlined approval processes are expected, reducing uncertainty for publishers.
4. **Greater spending on premium PC and console experiences** – While mobile remains dominant, a growing segment of consumers is willing to invest in high‑end hardware and premium titles, driven by improved broadband and a desire for richer experiences. 5.
**Integration of generative AI** – Chinese studios are rapidly adopting AI tools across development pipelines, from procedural content generation to player‑facing features such as dynamic dialogue and personalized recommendations. The AI wave is particularly noteworthy. The rapid deployment of generative‑AI infrastructure is fueling demand for high‑performance computing components, including RAM and advanced semiconductors. Developers are leveraging AI to accelerate asset creation, test game balance, and even generate user‑generated content (UGC) platforms that empower players to design their own levels, characters, and stories.
Despite the excitement surrounding AI, Niko Partners cautions that sustainable growth will still hinge on three core pillars: continuous innovation in game design, regulatory clarity that encourages investment, and enduring player engagement. As long as developers can deliver fresh, compelling experiences while navigating the evolving policy environment, China’s gaming market is poised to remain one of the world’s most dynamic and lucrative arenas.
In summary, the Chinese gaming sector has crossed a historic $50 billion revenue threshold, with projections indicating a steady climb toward nearly $60 billion by 2030. A burgeoning player base, longer play sessions, the surge of mini‑games, and the increasing influence of short‑video discovery channels all point to a vibrant ecosystem. At the same time, widespread use of circumvention tools, policy integration into the national five‑year plan, and the rapid adoption of generative AI suggest that the industry will continue to evolve in complex and fascinating ways over the next half‑decade.