The Biggest Online Games in China

China’s gaming industry has exploded in recent years, with over 668 million gamers contributing to the world’s most lucrative gaming market. As of early 2025, several titles stand out as the most popular among Chinese players, reflecting both homegrown successes and international favorites.

Mobile Gaming Dominance

Mobile games lead the charge in China’s online gaming landscape. Honor of Kings, developed by Timi Studio Group and published by Tencent Games, reigns supreme with a massive player base of 146 million. This multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game has maintained its popularity since its 2015 release, generating over $218.5 million in gross revenue in 2021.

Another mobile powerhouse is Fantasy Westward Journey, developed and operated by NetEase. This game incorporates Chinese culture and has achieved impressive player numbers, with a peak concurrent user count of 2.71 million.

Genshin Impact, developed by miHoYo, has also made significant waves in the Chinese market and globally. Its open-world design and gacha mechanics have proven highly popular among players.

PC and Console Gaming

While mobile gaming dominates, PC and console games maintain a strong presence in China. League of Legends, published by Tencent, boasts the largest player base globally, with over 70 million active players in China alone as of early 2024. The game’s esports scene is particularly vibrant, with events like the League of Legends Pro League (LPL) drawing massive audiences.

CrossFire, another Tencent-published title, remains one of the most popular first-person shooter games in China. With an average of 22 million monthly active users in 2020, it has established major esports events like the CrossFire Pro League and CrossFire Stars.

World of Warcraft, operated by NetEase in China, continues to captivate players with its rich lore and expansive world. The game’s longevity in the Chinese market speaks to its enduring appeal.

Emerging Titles

Several new games are making waves in the Chinese market in 2025. DnF Origin, Love and Deepspace, and Whiteout Survival have recently entered the top 20 iOS game revenue list, indicating their growing popularity.

Honor of Kings: World, an open-world action RPG based on the popular MOBA, has recently received approval from China’s National Press and Publication Administration. Developed by TiMi Studio Group, this game aims to introduce the Honor of Kings universe to a global audience.

Esports and Competitive Gaming

Esports has become a significant part of China’s gaming culture. Games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) and PUBG Mobile (known as Peacekeeper Elite in China) have thriving competitive scenes. Peacekeeper Elite boasts 50 million daily active users, with China accounting for 66% of global player spending on PUBG Mobile.

As China’s gaming industry continues to evolve, it’s clear that both mobile and PC games will play crucial roles. The blend of homegrown titles incorporating Chinese culture and localized versions of international hits creates a diverse and vibrant gaming ecosystem that caters to the preferences of millions of Chinese gamers.