8 Trends That Will Redefine Gaming in Asia (and Beyond) – Niko Partners Chat with Deconstructor of Fun Podcast
Asia and MENA video games landscape continues to be shaped by a mix of growth and regulation. In this new episode of the Deconstructor of Fun podcast, Niko Partners’ CEO Lisa Hanson and Director of Research & Insights Daniel Ahmad joined Mishka Katkoff to unpack these shifts: China’s latest regulatory developments, India’s rapid growth as a global gaming powerhouse, MENA region’s cultural transformation through games, Asian gamers attitude towards AI, and more. This episode is a must-listen to stay ahead of the curve in the global games industry.
Some highlights from the episode:
China’s livestreaming scene as a pulse check: Livestreaming is now one of the earliest predictors of success for games in China. Titles like Delta Force’s success on the Chinese game live streaming platforms during beta periods signaled high pre-launch demand.
The rise of India as the next gaming powerhouse: India now stands as the largest gaming market by players, projected to reach 724 million by 2029. By the latest RMG ban regulation, India’s next billion-dollar titles won’t come from betting, it will come from cultural relevance.
MENA’s changing gamer profile: Women now make up 37% of the MENA-3 gaming community, reshaping the region’s player identity. Studios that invest in local female talent, especially in marketing and community roles, will accelerate this inclusivity.
Next-gen of monetization in Southeast Asia: Out-of-app monetization happens in SEA as a parallel economy. Over a third of SEA’s mobile game revenue happens outside Google Play and the App Store.
AI interests in Asia: More than 60% of game developers in China have already integrated AI into their development pipeline, and multiple games have incorporated Generative AI features in-game. Nearly two-thirds of SEA gamers are highly interested in the tech for UGC and player interaction in-game.
Watch the full episode here.
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