China

Feature

The challenges and opportunities Black Myth: Wukong created for China's developers

Veterans of the Chinese games industry share insights on the challenges they face, and how the country might be shifting to even bigger premium titles

Dec. 5, 2024 Jason Rodriguez

Opinion

Nintendo Switch ending online support exposes fragility of gaming partnerships in China | Opinion

Daniel Camilo explains how, in the end, consumers get the short end of the stick

Nov. 28, 2024 Daniel Camilo

News

Nintendo to close Switch eShop and online services in China in 2026

Platform holder is offering free games as compensation

Nov. 26, 2024 James Batchelor

News

Black Myth: Wukong demands influencers don't mention "feminist propaganda" in coverage

Players are also forbidden to discuss "China's game industry policies"

Aug. 19, 2024 Vikki Blake

Opinion

Zenless Zone Zero, NTE and the new wave of Chinese games pushing the limits of free-to-play | Opinion

Daniel Camilo on how China's developers are setting new industry standards with free titles akin to AAA console hits

Aug. 6, 2024 Daniel Camilo

News

Niko Partners: 62% of China PC players spending more on games than last year

Steam remains top distribution platform for PC gamers

July 3, 2024 Sophie McEvoy

News

China removes proposed bans on monetisation tactics from government website

Removal sparks speculation of U-turn, prompting jump in shares for Chinese games firms

Jan. 24, 2024 James Batchelor

News

Chinese regulators approved 1,000 games in 2023

That's more than double the number of titles cleared for release in 2022

Jan. 3, 2024 James Batchelor

News

Chinese official removed following stock tumbles from new game proposals

The move comes a week after regulatory body backtracked on planned gaming restrictions

Jan. 2, 2024 Jeffrey Rousseau

News

China to ban some monetization and engagement tactics in games

Daily log-in rewards, loot boxes for minors, auctions for in-game items among the prohibited mechanisms; spending limits also imposed

Dec. 22, 2023 Brendan Sinclair

News

China games market revenue sees 13% bump

International consumer spending on Chinese titles fell by 6% due to national security concerns

Dec. 15, 2023 Jeffrey Rousseau

News

China's game market to grow 5.2% this year

Niko Partners projects Chinese game revenue to hit $47.7 billion, more than offsetting last year's 2.5% dip

Nov. 21, 2023 Brendan Sinclair

News

China's games market reached $45.5bn in 2022

Tencent and NetEase represented 61% of the domestic PC and mobile market in 2021, but combined share in decline

June 7, 2023 Marie Dealessandri

News

China approves Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard

Update: Microsoft confirms deal was granted "unconditional clearance" by Chinese antitrust regulators

May 22, 2023 James Batchelor

News

Blizzard, NetEase partnership reportedly broke down over misunderstandings

NetEase allegedly suggested it could sway the Chinese government to block or support Microsoft's ABK acquisition

March 30, 2023 James Batchelor

News

China games association publishes draft for industry self-regulation guidelines

Document details 11 requirements before games can be distributed in China, local games firms have until April 13 to give feedback

March 15, 2023 James Batchelor

News

China games trade body calls for more restrictions on minors playing video games

Tencent pledges further measures in its games

Feb. 14, 2023 James Batchelor

News

Activision Blizzard claims NetEase rejected proposal to extend China partnership

UPDATE: NetEase says that Activision Blizzard's extension proposal is rude, unreasonable, and commercially illogical

Jan. 18, 2023 James Batchelor

News

China's games market drops for the first time in two decades

Chinese games sales were down 10% in 2022, with mobile decreasing 14.4% year-on-year

Jan. 17, 2023 Marie Dealessandri

News

NetEase reportedly disbands team behind Blizzard games in China

Team of 100 has already seen departures after it was announced 14-year partnership would end this month

Jan. 16, 2023 James Batchelor

Feature

Why it's impossible to track console sales in China

Sony says PS5 has sold 670,000 units in mainland China, but consultant suggests imports likely put it closer to 1.5 million

Nov. 25, 2022 James Batchelor

News

Niko Partners: China games market to decline for the first time in 20 years

PC sector's return to growth offset by lower spending in mobile games, among other factors

Nov. 3, 2022 James Batchelor

Opinion

Can Microsoft find its next big thing in China? | Opinion

Stung by failure to sign Genshin Impact, Microsoft turns to China as it works to build out the Xbox software pipeline – but is it just chasing after the one that got away?

Oct. 28, 2022 Rob Fahey

News

Report: Chinese mobile games market fell 19% to $8bn during Q3

Active users and play hours dropped while spending power has weakened says CNG

Oct. 25, 2022 Jeffrey Rousseau

News

Study finds Chinese youth playing less in wake of restrictions

Niko Partners finds 54% of minors playing comply with last year's tightened restrictions limiting minors to one hour a day, Friday through Sunday

Aug. 10, 2022 Jeffrey Rousseau