China Issues 334 Game Licenses in Early 2026, Including Tencent Titles

In January and February 2026, a total of 334 game licenses were issued. On February 27, the National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) website released the list of game licenses approved for February 2026. A total of 152 licenses were granted, comprising 146 for domestic online games and 6 for imported online games.

Among the 146 approved domestic games, 82 were for mobile platforms, 52 were categorized as mobile-casual/puzzle games, 6 applied for licenses covering both mobile and client platforms, 3 applied for mobile and web versions, and 3 were for client platforms only. Of the 6 imported games, 3 applied for mobile platform licenses, while the other 3 applied for licenses covering both mobile and client platforms.

Several products from listed companies received licenses in February. On February 27, Kingnet Network disclosed that its subsidiary, Shanghai Kingnet Network Technology Co., Ltd., published the game "Seven Days Defense," which is operated by Shanghai Shengsong Network Technology Co., Ltd., and successfully obtained a license. According to reports, "Seven Days Defense" is a casual tower defense game that combines character development and simulation management, where players assemble hero lineups to defend against waves of monsters using skill combinations.

Products from Tencent's Guangzhou Guanghe Huyu Interactive Technology Co., Ltd., titled "The Legitimate Son is Charming in the Snow," and from 37 Interactive Entertainment's Guangzhou Yingxin Network Technology Co., Ltd., titled "Douluo Continent: Inheritance," were also included in the list.

Previously, on January 26, the NPPA website had announced the approval information for domestic and imported online games for January 2026. A total of 182 licenses were granted in the first batch of the year, consisting of 177 for domestic online games and 5 for imported online games.

Including the licenses issued in this latest round, a total of 334 licenses have been granted in 2026 so far, a figure significantly higher than the number issued during the same period in 2025.

The speed at which game companies are launching new products is also accelerating. For some products, the time between obtaining a license and official launch is just over a month. For example, Tencent's product "QQ Classic Farm" received its license in late December 2025 and was officially launched on February 6 of this year. On its launch day, the product reportedly attracted over 35 million users across all platforms.