China’s gaming market has significantly expanded, surpassing $50 billion for the first time in 2025, with a year-on-year growth of 5.4%, reaching $51.8 billion. Projections from Niko Partners indicate further growth, forecasting the market to reach $53.9 billion in 2026 and $59.8 billion by 2030, supported by a five-year CAGR of 2.9%.
By 2030, the player base is expected to grow to 769 million, with average weekly playtime increasing to 15.8 hours. The rise in revenue is attributed to strong performances from both new and legacy games, with mini-games now a vital growth area, engaging 80% of players and representing nearly 20% of mobile game spending.
Half of the players are discovering new games through short video apps, and a notable 66% are using methods to bypass internet censorship, including global servers and VPNs. In addition, video games are now included in China’s 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development.
Niko Partners highlights five key trends for the future of China’s gaming market, including growth in niche genres, more out-of-app monetization, regulatory improvements, increased consumer spending on premium titles, and the integration of generative AI. The rapid embrace of generative AI by gaming companies and a corresponding surge in user-generated content platforms are expected to enhance market growth, backed by ongoing innovation and strong player engagement.
