Market (Mobile)·Updated Apr 30, 2026 by Liftoff
Chinese publishers are maintaining global dominance in strategy and RPG segments by shifting to hyper-localized art styles, specifically manga-inspired visuals for Japan and realistic or cartoon aesthetics for Western markets.
Generative AI is now a core operational requirement for rapid, compliant localization of ad creative, voice-overs, and marketing copy to manage high costs per install in mature markets like the U.S., Japan, and South Korea.
High-performing user acquisition campaigns are increasingly utilizing minigames and AI-enhanced visuals to capture player attention in highly competitive environments.
Long-term player retention is being driven by the integration of social hangout spaces, home-building systems, and character trial models that balance game accessibility with monetization.
Monetization strategies have shifted toward sophisticated, time-limited mechanics such as box gachas, pull-milestone rewards, and gamified event structures like diceboards and bingo.
Sustained growth for Chinese developers in 2024 depends on the consistent deployment of diverse live events and continuous content updates to maintain player engagement.
Chinese publishers are maintaining global dominance in strategy and RPG segments by shifting to hyper-localized art styles, specifically manga-inspired visuals for Japan and realistic or cartoon aesthetics for Western markets.
Generative AI is now a core operational requirement for rapid, compliant localization of ad creative, voice-overs, and marketing copy to manage high costs per install in mature markets like the U.S., Japan, and South Korea.
High-performing user acquisition campaigns are increasingly utilizing minigames and AI-enhanced visuals to capture player attention in highly competitive environments.
Long-term player retention is being driven by the integration of social hangout spaces, home-building systems, and character trial models that balance game accessibility with monetization.
Monetization strategies have shifted toward sophisticated, time-limited mechanics such as box gachas, pull-milestone rewards, and gamified event structures like diceboards and bingo.
Sustained growth for Chinese developers in 2024 depends on the consistent deployment of diverse live events and continuous content updates to maintain player engagement.