China’s online gaming market in Q2 maintained steady growth, reaching a total size of 41.6 billion yuan, with mobile platforms continuing to dominate. Mobile games accounted for nearly 60 percent of the overall market, confirming the industry’s ongoing shift. Compared to the previous quarter, the market grew 0.9 percent, while year-on-year growth surged 24.2 percent. Although seasonal factors kept the pace moderate, the long-term trend shows that mobile gaming is increasingly driving industry expansion. For players and analysts following industry data on the Crickex App, these numbers highlight the rapid transformation of the sector.
Mobile gaming stood out with impressive performance, achieving a market scale of 24.4 billion yuan, up 15.5 percent quarter-on-quarter and an astonishing 120.3 percent year-on-year. In contrast, PC gaming fell sharply, dropping to 17.2 billion yuan, down 14.4 percent from Q1 and 23.4 percent compared to the previous year. The shrinking share of PC gaming reflects not only seasonal downturns but also the growing competitiveness of mobile titles. iResearch analysts note that PC games typically decline in Q2 as students focus on end-of-term exams, while mobile games, with their convenience and rising complexity, are drawing players away from traditional platforms.
Another driving factor is the surge of new role-playing mobile games, which boosted average revenue per user. With user growth in the domestic market nearing saturation, publishers are pushing monetization strategies and branching into overseas markets to expand their reach. According to mGameTracker data, 37 mobile games entered the iOS Top 10 grossing chart during Q2. NetEase stood out with its new release Ghost Story, which extended its ranking presence and increased its chart dominance from 20.5 percent to 24.9 percent.
The quarter also saw an influx of MMORPGs with strong Chinese themes and adaptations from Japanese anime, splitting the market between culturally rich domestic titles and globally appealing imports. This diversity has helped mobile gaming solidify its hold, while offering players more choice than ever before.
Beyond games, Q2 also showcased progress in Chinese animation. Popular works centered on humor, supernatural battles, and folklore-inspired tales that resonated strongly with local audiences. Leading productions increasingly embraced cross-entertainment strategies, boosting national animation’s visibility. Notably, newer titles began breaking into the rankings alongside long-running series, receiving positive responses and signaling healthy growth for domestic animation.
For fans, developers, and industry watchers using the Crickex App, the Q2 data underscores a pivotal shift. Mobile platforms are not only surpassing PC in revenue but also reshaping player behavior and content trends. With overseas expansion and diversified genres driving the next phase, China’s gaming and animation industries are set to play an even greater role in the global entertainment landscape.