China's gaming market revenue surpassed $50 billion for the first time in 2025. According to data released by Niko Partners, the full-year market revenue reached $51.8 billion, a year-on-year increase of 5.4%, with the number of players remaining the highest globally.
Niko Partners forecasts that China's gaming market revenue will grow by 4% in 2026, reaching $53.9 billion; by 2030, revenue is expected to further increase to $59.8 billion. Stronger-than-expected performance from new games, combined with the sustained vitality of long-running titles like Genshin Impact, has become a major driver of market growth.
The player base is also expected to continue expanding. Niko Partners estimates that the total number of gamers in China will reach 769 million by 2030. Per capita spending is also on the rise: in 2025, the average annual revenue contribution per player exceeded $70 for the first time, and is projected to increase to approximately $77.68 by 2030.
Esports is an area with high player engagement. In 2025, approximately 46.5% of players participated in esports, and this proportion is expected to rise to 51.3% in 2026. This statistic covers various forms of participation, including playing esports titles, watching tournaments, and competing in events.
Mini-games that require no download also have a broad user base, with approximately 80% of players having used such products, contributing nearly 20% of total mobile game market spending. Short-video apps have become the primary channel for players to discover new games, with 41% of players learning about new titles through these platforms.
Generative AI has already entered the game development process in China. In 2025, 39% of Chinese players expressed interest in related in-game features, and 60% of studios have already adopted this technology. Niko Partners also believes that the policy environment from 2026 to 2030 will support digital innovation and the development of the cultural industry, potentially helping international publishers enter the Chinese market through platforms like Steam.