gaming

A Decade of Overwatch in China

Contributions from individuals with unique perspectives to share. Hear from everyone, from experts and commentators to those whose voices are often marginalized.

VOICES & OPINION

In the 10 years since the game launched in 2016, there have been highs, lows, and everything in between. It is no exaggeration to say that Overwatch would not be what it is in China without the fans.

Chen Menghan

1 in 2,000: The Long Odds of Becoming a Pro Gamer in China

Articles that cut to the core of contemporary China. In-depth, informed, and carefully crafted, every piece is carried by the voices of the story’s participants.

FEATURES

China became the world’s largest esports market in less than a decade. Now, as clubs cut back and the old pipeline tightens, breaking through is harder than ever.

He Qitong

Shanghai Opens First Criminal Case Against Video Game Leaks

Timely reports on issues and events from across China. Drawing on a vast range of sources, these succinct articles provide insights into the significance of each issue in a wider context.

NEWS

One suspect told investigators he thought deleting the videos after warnings would avoid consequences.

Li Xin

In China’s Scripted Romance Games, Staged Love Is Paid Work

The format pairs players with paid “love companions,” selling intimacy through staged dates and private scenes where expectations and rules are often set in real time.

She Picked Up a Computer Mouse in Her 50s — Then Defeated a World Champion

Visual stories that get up close and personal with contemporary China. A mix of short videos, documentaries, photography, and data visualization.

MULTIMEDIA

Lü Xiao

Road to Empress, the Hit Game Navigating China’s Gender Divide

A new interactive drama uses live-action scenes rather than computer-generated graphics, and attempts to create an experience aimed specifically at neither men or women.

Sun Jing

In 2025, Chinese Domestic Games Go Indie, and Local

Last year, China’s game industry was abuzz with the megahit that was Black Myth: Wukong. This year, domestic games are finding their footing — and challenging the status quo with innovative gameplay.

Kong Degang

The Last Tokens

As Shenyang’s youth fades into memory and nostalgia, Xu Shouzhong’s arcade lives on.

Wu Huiyuan 

A Viral Game Targeting ‘Gold Diggers’ Has China Arguing Over Gender

Praised as anti‑fraud education and slammed as sexist fantasy, ‘Revenge on Gold Diggers’ has sparked widespread debate online.

Jiang Xinyi

After a Big 2024, What’s Next for China’s Game Industry?

The race to make the next Black Myth: Wukong may come down to two developers.

The Many Faces of Sun Wukong

Some critics complained that Game Science, developers of the wildly popular game “Black Myth: Wukong,” did the Monkey King dirty. But the mischievous simian has always defied easy categorization.

‘Black Myth’ and the Hunt for China’s Kojima

Can the wildly popular title win more space for auteurs in China’s gaming industry?

Deng Jian

In Black Myth: Wukong, China Sees a Game That Could Change Everything

Rooted in the classic novel “Journey to the West,” China’s first big-budget AAA video game has stunned the global gaming industry, drawing a record 2.2 million concurrent players on Steam at launch.

Fan Yiying

Li  Yanshu

My Child Spent a Fortune on a Chinese Video Game. What Now?

Amid a wave of public anger, China’s video game industry has vowed to make it easier for parents to claim refunds if they find their child has secretly spent huge sums on in-game add-ons.

Ding Rui

Gaming Giant Blizzard Returns to China, Sparking Joy — and Some Anger

U.S.-based video game maker Blizzard Entertainment has announced a new deal to re-enter the Chinese market. But some gamers still haven’t forgiven the company for leaving in the first place.

Yang Caini

In China, a Mother and Daughter Find Connection Through Gaming

For most parents, video games are a source of tension with their children. But a mother and daughter in Sichuan province have discovered that the opposite can also be true.

Ye Zhanhang

Tencent and ByteDance Pause Feud, Team Up to Livestream Games

From Jan. 21, Tencent will allow users to livestream their gameplay of “Honor of Kings” on the ByteDance-owned Douyin.

Tencent Limits Minors to 16 Hours Gaming Around Spring Festival 

The announcement comes as China’s gaming industry is back in the spotlight after authorities proposed major new rules in December on companies’ business models.

Four Games That Sum Up China’s 2023

These four titles weren’t the biggest games released by Chinese developers this year, but they are some of the most memorable.

Love Bytes: How a New Runaway Hit Game Is Wooing Single Chinese Men

Blending interactive simulation and TV romance dramas, “Love Is All Around” is designed specifically for men, and gameplay revolves around pursuing relationships with multiple women. Despite its chart-topping success, the game has also been criticized for its stereotypical portrayal of women.