In 2024, China issued 1,416 video game licenses, marking the highest number since 2019 and signaling a resurgence in the country’s gaming sector. This uptick follows years of regulatory tightening and a temporary freeze in licensing that significantly impacted the industry.

Breakdown of Game Licenses

Of the 1,416 licenses granted in 2024, 1,306 went to games developed by Chinese companies, reaffirming the dominance of local developers. The remaining 110 licenses were awarded to foreign projects, a modest increase from previous years.

These figures reflect a consistent trend in which domestic projects account for the vast majority of approved games. For instance, in 2023, China issued 1,075 game licenses, with 977 going to local developers and 98 to foreign entities. Comparatively, the numbers for foreign projects were lower in earlier years, such as 44 in 2022 and 76 in 2021.

China Issues Record 1,416 Game Licenses in 2024

Licensing Trends Since 2018

China’s game licensing patterns have experienced notable fluctuations over the past six years:

• 2018: 2,095 licenses (2,040 local; 55 foreign)
• 2019: 1,570 licenses (1,385 local; 185 foreign)
• 2020: 1,411 licenses (1,314 local; 97 foreign)
• 2021: 755 licenses (679 local; 76 foreign)
• 2022: 512 licenses (468 local; 44 foreign)
• 2023: 1,075 licenses (977 local; 98 foreign)

The sharp decline between 2018 and 2022 can be attributed to regulatory changes, including a halt on new license approvals starting in July 2021. Licenses resumed for local developers in April 2022 and for foreign developers later in December 2022.

Challenges and Opportunities for Game Developers

While the increased number of licenses in 2024 represents a positive shift, launching games in China remains challenging, particularly for foreign developers. Regulatory hurdles, strict content guidelines, and an evolving market landscape require developers to adapt their strategies for success.

However, there are numerous examples of successful launches, such as the widely anticipated game Black Myth: Wukong. Advertised prominently in venues like the Sony store in Shanghai, the game highlights how local and foreign developers can find opportunities in the Chinese market.

A Recovered but Competitive Market

The surge in game licenses reflects a post-restriction recovery and highlights the Chinese government’s focus on supporting the domestic gaming industry. For foreign developers, the gradual increase in approved projects suggests a growing but competitive space where market understanding and compliance with local regulations remain essential.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, developers worldwide will likely watch China’s licensing trends closely, aiming to leverage the world’s largest gaming market while navigating its unique challenges.

Relevance to Web3 Gaming

The recent surge in game licenses issued by China, particularly the approval of foreign projects, holds significant implications for the web3 gaming industry. As blockchain-based games and decentralized platforms gain traction globally, China’s evolving regulatory stance provides both challenges and opportunities for web3 developers.

The increased licensing for foreign games indicates a potential opening for web3 projects to enter the Chinese market, though they must navigate the stringent content guidelines and regulatory requirements. As the country moves towards greater acceptance of foreign games, blockchain developers should consider the strategic value of tapping into China’s massive gaming audience, while remaining compliant with local regulations to ensure success in this competitive landscape.

Source: gamedevreports