image.png

China's game license approvals have passed last year's total, and monthly issuance reduces scheduling uncertainty. The October batch published on October 29 covered 195 titles (183 domestic, 12 imported), up about 17.5% year on year. The year-to-date total of 1,766 has passed 2025's full-year 1,676, and Q3 alone reached 608, a quarterly high. Monthly issuance lowers uncertainty for studios planning development and launch windows.

Domestic and overseas revenue grew together. Gamma Data put Q3 China game market revenue at RMB 92.522 billion (up 5.11% year on year) and overseas revenue from self-developed games at USD 5.772 billion (up 15.58%).

Phantom Blade Zero's sales and reviews validate the production capability behind premium titles. S-Game's self-developed and self-published action game Phantom Blade Zero launched across platforms on 10/29 and passed 4 million copies sold in 72 hours, with media estimates putting revenue above RMB 1 billion.

ICG Studio, TDream, and Interactive Content World give the three platforms their own entry points. Once tied mainly to premium Steam releases, the category is moving into short video, social, and mini app distribution. Douyin pairs creation tools, a dedicated hub, and a content call (ICG Studio in beta, three co-development models, and in-testing interactive gifting); Tencent uses the WeChat TDream mini app for creation and distribution, alongside a short drama content hub and dedicated funding; Kuaishou uses a standalone Interactive Content World shelf, where ordinary submissions under 8MB go live after review while interactive film games need prior approval.

References

  1. Securities Times, 11/2, October approvals and industry moves - https://www.stcn.com/article/detail/4316973.html
  2. Jiemian News, 11/2, Phantom Blade Zero 72-hour sales and industry reaction - https://www.stcn.com/article/detail/4317497.html
  3. Sina Finance, 11/2, full reprint of the Jiemian News report - https://finance.sina.com.cn/jjxw/2026-11-02/doc-inixipxc9400011.shtml
  4. Guancha, 11/2, Phantom Blade Zero launch data and background (via Sina Finance) - https://finance.sina.com.cn/roll/2026-11-02/doc-inixiuev0464834.shtml
  5. Tencent News, 11/2, recent industry signals - https://news.qq.com/rain/a/20261102A0CSR900
  6. 21jingji, 11/2, October approval list and its structure - https://www.21jingji.com/article/20261102/herald/1c8c0d3d7d5df086846d411cf3de3865.html
  7. China.com Finance, 11/3, regular approval cadence and approved titles - https://finance.china.com/TMT/13004688/20261103/49836837.html
  8. NetEase, 11/2, Q3 market data - https://www.163.com/dy/article/LAQ55N400512B07B.html
  9. Hangzhou Daily, 11/5, Phantom Blade Zero player counts and review scores - https://hzdaily.hangzhou.com.cn/mrsb/2026/11/05/article_detail_3_20261105A143.html
  10. Dahecube, 11/2, approvals and the Phantom Blade Zero launch - https://app.dahecube.com/nweb/news/20261102/291573nf9352a63a50.htm?artid=291573
  11. China Wealth Net, 11/2, October approvals and year-to-date total (via Tencent News) - https://news.qq.com/rain/a/20261102A0BNNI00
  12. National Press and Publication Administration, game approval records - https://www.nppa.gov.cn/
  13. National Business Daily, 11/2, three platforms entering interactive film games and approval data - https://www.nbd.com.cn/articles/2026-11-02/4633964.html