Top 10 Gaming Startups in China leading the Gaming Industry
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Over the years, China's Gaming Industry has grown exponentially and now houses a few of the best gaming companies in the world. The country gaming industry generated over $32 billion total revenue only in 2020, while E-sports earned more than $20.8 billion. When it comes to PC games, the Chinese gaming companies earn over $8.5 billion.
China also has the best e-sports players in the world and is among the top in the most significant game development market in the world. China is known to have over 665 million players who also spend more than 278 billion yuan on video games. Because of numerous strict regulations imposed by the Chinese Government, many Chinese gaming companies now want to focus on moving overseas markets.
China is called the gaming capital of the world as its gaming companies have provided innovative solutions at a high cost to value ratio. China currently has over 778 gaming startups in the country in 2021. The Chinese gaming companies are known to have a skilled workforce that aims in delivering quality, unique and engaging content.
These are the top ten gaming startups in China. The Chinese online game streaming industry is expected to grow to a height of a CAGR of 9% from 2021 to 2026, which means China has the potential to dominate the market with its gaming startups.
Tencent Games
NetEase Games
Huya Inc
Hero Entertainment
Giant Interactive Group
Cushou TV
Panda TV
Zeus Interactive
Chukong Technologies
Madhead App
Frequently Asked Questions
PV Vyshnavi
The Top Ten Gaming Startups in China are
Tencent Games
| Company | Tencent |
|---|---|
| Founded year | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Shenzhen (China) |
| Funding | $12.6 Billion |
| Investors | Lippo Group, Prosus & Naspers, PCCW, IDG Capital |
Tencent Holdings is one of the top gaming companies that was founded in 1998, with its headquarters based in Shenzhen, China. Besides gaming, Tencent also has its foothold in the sectors of entertainment, AI, advanced technology, and other internet-related services and products. Tencent Games has the largest online gaming community in China, it also is the largest digital entertainment platform in the world.
The company reportedly generated over $14.86 billion total revenue in 2019 revenue, making it the world’s largest games publisher the same year. Its most well-known games are PUBG Mobile and Honor of Kings. Both PUBG Mobile and Honor of Kings are globally renowned free-to-play multiplayer action games.
NetEase Games
| Company | NetEase |
|---|---|
| Founded Year | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Hangzhou (China) |
| Funding | - |
| Investors | SoftBank Group |
NetEase is another top IT company in China that operates and develops online PC and mobile games. The company was founded by William Ding in 1997 with headquarters based in Hangzhou, China. NetEase is now a global gaming company as it has collaborated with Blizzard Entertainment, Mojang AB and other leading global game developers.
Besides gaming, the company has also ventured into the industries of advertising, email and e-commerce services in China. The top games the NetEase has developed are Westward Journey, Tianxia III, Nostos, Onmyoji, among others.
Besides that, the company has also operated the Chinese versions of Blizzard Entertainment games like World of Warcraft, Overwatch, etc. NetEase is now ranked second place among the top mobile gaming companies in terms of its global revenue and has high ratings on both Apple and Google app stores.
Alan Joseph
Huya Inc
| Company | Huya Inc |
|---|---|
| Founded year | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Guangzhou (China) |
| Funding | $1.1 billion |
| Investors | Tencent, Ping An, Engage Capital, David Li, 5Y Capital, Rongjie Dong and Gaorong Capital |
Huya is a live game broadcasting platform that was founded in 2014 with its headquarters based in Guangzhou, China. The company provides a broadcasting software platform that allows its users to stream and take videos while playing the game.
It helps connects broadcasters to their audience and is also the provider for a wide variety of media ranging from talent shows, cooking, sports, animes, online movies, etc. Huya is also the official broadcaster of top e-sports competitions.
Hero Entertainment
| Company | Hero Entertainment |
|---|---|
| Founded year | 2015 |
| Headquarters | Beijing (China) |
| Funding | $539 million |
| Investors | Huayi Brothers Media Group, Prometheus Capital, ZhenFund, etc |
Hero entertainment also known as Yxgyu.com is a mobile game developer that was founded in 2015. The company has its headquarters based in Beijing, China. Hero entertainment is the developer of the Battlefield series, which is a MMA fight show. Besides game development that company is also into combat sports and mixed martial arts promotions in their country.
Alan Joseph
Giant Interactive Group
| Company | Giant Interactive Group |
|---|---|
| Founded year | 2004 |
| Headquarters | Shanghai (China) |
| Funding | $44.3 million |
| Investors | SIG China |
Giant Interactive Group is one of the best Chinese online game developers and operators of many well-known multiplayer online games. The company was founded in 2004 and has its headquarters based in Shanghai, China. Giant Interactive Group is currently one of the leading online game developers and operators in terms of revenue.
Their game ZT online is the most popular game in China in 2006, after the success of that game the company came up with Road Bin and Street Basket for android and iOS. Besides that, it has also come up with Jianghu and Xian Xia World both of which are MMORPG games. The company was also named“2016 Top Ten Most Anticipated Versatile Game Honor” by Road Crate.
Cushou TV
| Company | Cushou TV |
|---|---|
| Founded year | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Hangzhou (China) |
| Funding | $117 million |
| Investors | Google, GGV Capital, Shunwei Capital, AlphaX Partners, iQiyi |
Cushou TV is another leading mobile video live streaming platform with its headquarters in Hangzhou, China. Besides being an eSports video streaming platform, the company has also developed popular games like Counter-Strike and League of Legends that are well known around the world.
The company is now planning to improve its user network and expand its live video host’s network. Cushou TV has is well known for its live video-streaming platform that provides interaction sites and games, which enables E- gamers to stream their mobile phone game activities live.
Pratyusha Srivastava
Panda TV
| Company | Panda TV |
|---|---|
| Founded year | 2015 |
| Headquarters | Shanghai (China) |
| Funding | $145 million |
| Investors | Zhen Fund, Chen Hai Capital, Hanfor, Lighthouse Capital |
Panda TV is a Shanghai-based E-sports live streaming platform that specializes in broadcasting e-sports events live. The company allows its users to stream live e-sports games, events, it also streams video and news content related to esports.
It main competitors are Douyu TV and Twitch. However, in 2019, Panda TV announced that it will end its services because it had failed to raise funds in order to keep the operations going.
Zeus Interactive
| Company | Zeus Interactive |
|---|---|
| Founded year | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Beijing (China) |
| Funding | $132 million |
| Investors | Beijing Enlight Media, Legend Capital, Legend Star, etc |
Zeus Interactive is a leading game and web developer with headquarters based in Beijing, China. The company was started in 2011 and focuses on developing online mobile games.
Zeus Interactive so far has over 15 plus games and specializes in role-playing games for both mobile and PC. The company has raised more than $132 million in funding. Currently Zeus Interactive is planning to turn its games into live-action movies.
Pooja Uniyal
Chukong Technologies
| Company | Chukong Technologies |
|---|---|
| Founded year | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Beijing (China) |
| Funding | $123 million |
| Investors | Qualcomm Ventures, GGV Capital, Steamboat Ventures, New Horizon Capital, Creaturk, Sequoia Capital China |
Chukong Technologies is a well-known mobile entertainment platform with its headquarters based in Beijing, China. Besides developing mobile games, the company also has its foothold in publishing and game engine development.
The company has more than 60 published titles and its most successful game has been Fishing Joy which was launched in 2011, this game gained over 12 million downloads within a year of its launch.
Madhead App
| Company | Madheads |
|---|---|
| Founded year | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong (China) |
| Funding | $70 million |
| Investors | Forgame |
Madhead App is a popular game developer with its headquarters based in Hong Kong. The company is known for its Role-playing games, its most well-known games are Tower of Saviors in need and Chronos Entryway. Their games like Tower of Saviors had over 19,00,000 downloads as of 2016.
The company’s games are popular in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and other South Asian countries. It game Tower of Saviors so far has over global downloads of over 23 million. Madheads is known for providing the best user experience for all mobile gamers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top gaming startups in China?
The top gaming startups in China are Hero Entertainment, Huya Inc, Madhead App, Chukong Technologies, Zeus Interactive, Cushou TV, Panda TV, Giant Interactive Group, Tencent and Netease.
How many gaming startups are in China?
China currently has over 778 gaming startups in the country in 2021.
How much revenue does China generate from Gaming companies?
The country’s gaming industry generated over $32 billion total revenue only in 2020, while E-sports earned more than $20.8 billion.
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