According to a report by Gamma Data, China's domestic game market generated actual sales revenue of RMB 30.369 billion in April 2026, representing a month-on-month decrease of 3.51% but a year-on-year increase of 11.04%. The market's growth was driven by a dual strategy of sustaining existing operations and introducing new supply.
In the overseas market, the actual sales revenue of China's self-developed games reached USD 2.032 billion. This figure reflects a month-on-month decline of 5.02% but a significant year-on-year increase of 30.78%.
For the mobile game segment in China, actual sales revenue amounted to RMB 22.43 billion in April, showing a slight month-on-month growth of 0.71% and a year-on-year increase of 9.83%. The client game market in China generated revenue of RMB 6.866 billion, experiencing a month-on-month drop of 12.77% but a strong year-on-year growth of 18.4%. The year-on-year growth in the client game market this month was supported by cross-platform products, newly launched games, and the sustained operation of classic titles.
The overall year-on-year growth in the domestic game market was attributed to two main factors. First, top-performing, long-running products maintained stable user spending through version updates and themed events. Second, relatively new products that have passed initial market validation began to enter a phase of revenue generation, contributing incremental growth. The synergistic effect of cross-platform products also provided diversified support for the market's expansion.
In the client game market, products like the cross-platform title "Honkai: Star Rail," along with "Delta Force: Hawk Ops" and "Roco Kingdom: World," drove user spending through updates and operational activities, providing market increment. Several new games launched in April, such as "Different Ring" and "Honor of Kings World," created new revenue streams. Additionally, long-running products like "League of Legends" boosted user engagement through multiple livestream events and new skin releases. While the market achieved year-on-year growth, it was insufficient to offset declines from other products on a month-on-month basis.
Growth in the mobile game market stemmed primarily from operational activities of top products and revenue contributions from new and relatively new games. Among leading products, "Honor of Kings" generated incremental revenue through the launch of a new season and crossover events. Products like "Delta Force: Hawk Ops" and "Valorant: Operation Source" also recorded year-on-year revenue growth. The relatively new title "Roco Kingdom: World" contributed over RMB 400 million in incremental revenue month-on-month, while new games like "Different Ring" and "Honor of Kings World" also provided growth.
The year-on-year increase of 30.78% in overseas revenue for self-developed games was driven by the sustained operation of mature products. The month-on-month decline was primarily due to revenue decreases in some long-running products (launched for one year or more). Products contributing to the year-on-year growth included "Kingshot," "Gossip Harbor (Romantic Restaurant)," and "Last Z: Survival Shooter."
Gamma Data's Top 10 Mobile Game Revenue Estimation Chart for April remained generally stable. Leading products consolidated their market positions through version updates and crossover events. The relatively new product "Roco Kingdom: World," benefiting from its first full month of revenue realization after launch, saw its ranking rise by eight places.
"Honor of Kings" initiated a new season on April 1st. On April 10th, it launched a crossover version with "Honor of Kings World," updating game content and introducing new weapon skins. The game also commenced the "55 Kaihei Festival" on April 29th, collaborating with the film "Ne Zha: The Devil Boy Comes," releasing crossover skins, exclusive backdrops, and outfits. These multiple rounds of activities provided sustained revenue support.
"Roco Kingdom: World" experienced the most significant ranking increase this month. The core driver was that, as a product launched in late March, April marked its first complete revenue settlement month. Following its launch, the game promptly introduced its Season 1 "Gathering Light in the Dark" and collaborated with Shanghai Animation Film Studio, successfully maintaining the popularity from its initial launch period.
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