Country & Regional Reports·Updated Apr 8, 2026 by Niko Partners
China’s video game revenue grew by approximately 30% in Q1 2020 compared to Q1 2019, fueled by increased engagement during the Lunar New Year holiday.
Mobile and PC gaming saw significant spikes in both engagement and spending, with 97% of mobile gamers and 94.6% of PC gamers reporting increased play time.
Casual mobile games experienced a surge in popularity, recording 3 to 4 times their usual monthly visit volume during the lockdown period.
The nationwide closure of internet cafés permanently displaced 115 million regular users, with 57% of those gamers indicating they would not return to the venue model.
While consumer spending on games rose, advertising revenue declined as advertisers reduced budgets and filled fewer ad slots, negatively impacting smaller titles.
Pandemic-driven behavioral shifts included 75% of gamers trying new platforms and 39.7% of users engaging in game streaming for the first time.
Console gaming saw demand for titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Ring Fit Adventure, though growth was constrained by supply chain disruptions.
China’s video game revenue grew by approximately 30% in Q1 2020 compared to Q1 2019, fueled by increased engagement during the Lunar New Year holiday.
Mobile and PC gaming saw significant spikes in both engagement and spending, with 97% of mobile gamers and 94.6% of PC gamers reporting increased play time.
Casual mobile games experienced a surge in popularity, recording 3 to 4 times their usual monthly visit volume during the lockdown period.
The nationwide closure of internet cafés permanently displaced 115 million regular users, with 57% of those gamers indicating they would not return to the venue model.
While consumer spending on games rose, advertising revenue declined as advertisers reduced budgets and filled fewer ad slots, negatively impacting smaller titles.
Pandemic-driven behavioral shifts included 75% of gamers trying new platforms and 39.7% of users engaging in game streaming for the first time.
Console gaming saw demand for titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Ring Fit Adventure, though growth was constrained by supply chain disruptions.