The Booming Chinese Gaming Market and What It Means for Foreign Developers
The gaming market in China has seen explosive growth in recent years, with revenues for gaming and related services increasing from $21.4 billion US Dollars (USD) in 2017 to over $37 billion USD in 2020. This impressive growth rate of almost 75% can be attributed to the rising number of gamers, increased gaming time, and the success of many Chinese gaming companies.
As a result, gaming developers and publishers both inside and outside China have been drawn to this massive market opportunity. Foreign game developers may find themselves presented with unique opportunities if they are able to capitalize on the increasing demand for gaming content within the country by creating games tailored to specific Chinese demographics or preferences. The potential rewards are high; according to one estimate, Chinese gaming revenues will reach over $50 billion USD by 2024.
However, gaming developers must also be aware of the Chinese government’s restriction on gaming content that it deems inappropriate or falls outside accepted social norms. Developers must have an understanding of the relevant regulations and censorship laws before entering the market, as failure to abide by these rules can result in their games being pulled from shelves or rejected for release altogether.
Despite this, gaming developers and publishers who are able to make their way past the restrictions may find themselves with access to China’s massive gaming population and a chance to capitalize on one of the gaming industry’s most profitable markets. With such potential rewards, foreign game developers should keep an eye on how the gaming market in China evolves in the coming years and consider what it could mean for them.
The gaming market in China is an ever-evolving environment, but one that presents too great of an opportunity to ignore. Foreign gaming developers should make sure to stay informed of the latest developments and must be prepared to face any restrictions or other challenges if they are serious about taking advantage of the gaming boom within China. By doing so, they may just find themselves part of a gaming revolution with lucrative rewards.