$7 billion in 2030: Opportunities in Southeast Asia’s Video Game Markets
SEA player numbers to surpass 300 million this year, underscoring its position as one of the world’s largest, and most important, gaming audience.
Video game markets in Southeast Asia are entering a new chapter of growth, driven by an expanding player base, increasing digital connectivity, and evolving consumer behavior. For more than a decade, Niko Partners tracks six key markets in the region (the ‘SEA-6’): Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Below we list some factors those interested in the region should monitor:
The region will surpass $7 billion in domestic revenue by 2030
In 2025, the Southeast Asian games market generated over $5.6 billion in revenue, marking 4.7% year-over-year growth. We project the region cross $5.9 billion in 2026 and grow to $7.0 billion by 2030, at a 5-year CAGR of 4.8%. We also expect player numbers to surpass 300 million this year, underscoring its position as one of the world’s largest, and most important, gaming audience.
Indonesia remains the largest market by player count, with more than 126 million gamers, and is also set to lead the next wave of revenue growth alongside Thailand and the Philippines. Thailand is on track to exceed $2 billion in player spending this year, and Indonesia is forecast to reach $1.5 billion in player spending by 2030.
Diverse Growth Drivers
Video game markets in Southeast Asia present unique opportunities for publishers, developers, and investors thanks to diverse growth drivers. In high-population markets such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, for example, increasing smartphone ownership and internet penetration is causing a rise in the number of new players.
Meanwhile, in more mature markets such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, growth is increasingly fueled by localized content, live events, community engagement, and a thriving esports scene. At the same time, governments across Southeast Asia are taking a more active role in shaping the future of local ecosystems through evolving regulations and policy frameworks. For companies looking to expand in the region, understanding how market dynamics intersect with the regulatory environment will be critical to achieving sustainable growth.
What Southeast Asian Players Are Telling Us
We combine our proprietary data, research methodologies, and deep networks across Southeast Asia to build insights that help companies decipher player behaviors, trends, and industry-wide developments.
For example, this year’s SEA-6 reports reveal that 67.5% of players support mandatory age verification for games rated 18+, highlighting increasing awareness around player safety and responsible gaming. This finding also exists in parallel with greater efforts by some governments to widen regulatory coverage of domestic video game ecosystems, albeit with mixed results. There is demand for greater player safety, but the reaction to systems such as Indonesia’s IGRS shows the response will have to be collaborative and involve inputs from several stakeholders.
A second finding shows that 61.4% of players exclusively play the official version of a video game, demonstrating strong engagement with legitimate gaming channels. Media piracy, including for video games, has been a cause of concern in the region, and while this data point does not mean video game piracy is facing a long-term structural decline, we believe it presents companies with opportunities to promote and find ways to engage players through legitimate channels.
Third, nearly one-third of players prefer purchasing in-game content through out-of-app payment methods, with Thai gamers showing the strongest preference (over 35.0% of respondents). We believe this shows positive reception to efforts by publishers to increase their share of direct-to-consumer revenue, even as established storefronts, particularly on Mobile, continue to dominate revenue.
These insights reflect a market that is becoming increasingly sophisticated, where understanding player expectations, spending behaviors, and platform preferences is essential for long-term success. Fill out this form to download select key takeaways from the report.
At Niko Partners, we help businesses turn market intelligence into action. Through our syndicated research, subscription-based insights, and customized consulting services, we provide the data and expertise needed to navigate the rapidly evolving gaming markets across Asia and MENA. Whether you are evaluating expansion opportunities, analyzing player behavior, or assessing regulatory developments, our research delivers the clarity required to make confident business decisions. Contact us to learn more about how Niko Partners can help you unlock growth in one of the world’s most dynamic gaming markets.