By Sagar V. Mankar 
This December, China’s Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) approved licenses for 122 domestic and 13 video games, totaling 135. This brings the total number of licensed games in 2024 to over 1,400, marking the highest annual figure since 2019.
Among the approved titles, NetEase’s ANANTA (often labeled as Anime style GTA) and Tencent’s Monster Hunter: Outlanders stand out. ANANTA is an urban open-world role-playing game developed by NetEase, boasting over 8.43 million pre-registrations globally. Meanwhile, Monster Hunter: Outlanders, a mobile entry in the globally renowned Monster Hunter series developed by Capcom, has drawn significant attention from international audiences.
Additionally, the NPPA approved other notable imported games, including Uncharted Waters: Legend, operated by Suzhou Yinghuo Information Technology under Alibaba’s Lingxi Games, and Red Alert: Glory, developed by Tencent-backed Shanghai Yorha Technology. This batch of approvals highlights a balanced focus on both domestic innovation and high-quality foreign titles.
Recovery from Regulatory Challenges
The recent approvals signify a stable regulatory environment following a strict crackdown in 2021, which included an eight-month freeze on game licensing. During that period, restrictions were also introduced to limit gaming hours for players under 18, allowing them to play only between 8 PM and 9 PM on weekends and statutory holidays.
Since then, China’s gaming market has rebounded steadily. In 2024, authorities approved 1,306 domestic and 110 imported titles, a significant jump from 2023’s 977 domestic and 98 foreign games. This upward trend indicates stronger industry confidence and a more predictable regulatory landscape.
Black Myth: Wukong Success Led to China’s Gaming Market Growth
This year also witnessed the release of China’s first AAA game, Black Myth: Wukong. Launched in August, the game sold over 20 million copies within 1 month. At The Game Awards in Los Angeles, it secured prestigious titles like Best Action Game and the Players’ Voice Award, underscoring the global competitiveness of Chinese developers.
The gaming industry in China, the world’s second-largest market, recorded revenues of 325.8 billion yuan (US$44.6 billion) in 2024, reflecting a 7.5% year-on-year growth. Player numbers also saw a modest increase, reaching 674 million.
Furthermore, Chinese game developers achieved overseas revenue of US$18.6 billion, a 13.4% rise from 2023. This growth highlights the increasing global influence of China’s gaming sector.
Sources: NPPA, South China Morning Post, Gaming Publishing Committee of the China Audio-Video and Digital Publishing Association.
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