Hollow Knight: Silksong launches to critical acclaim but receives backlash in China over localization
Hollow Knight: Silksong, the long-awaited sequel to 2017's Hollow Knight, officially launched on September 4, 2025, to critical acclaim and overwhelming player demand. Developed by Australian indie studio Team Cherry, the original Hollow Knight sold over 15 million copies worldwide and is widely regarded as one of the definitive metroidvania experiences of the past decade. While Silksong has been well-received for its gameplay innovations, it has drawn significant criticism from Chinese players over the quality of its Simplified Chinese localization.
Why this matters: Of the over 40,000 Simplified Chinese reviews posted on Steam within the first week of launch, representing 28% of all language reviews, more than 55% were negative. The vast majority of critical reviews cite translation issues, particularly a writing style that blends awkward classical phrasing with obscure modern expressions, described by some players as "worse than AI translation." For global developers targeting China, quality localization is no longer optional, it's strategic.
Link to original article (Chinese) →
RELATED: Fans release early Arabic localization of Hollow Knight: Silksong
Hollow Knight: Silksong was finally released on September 4th, prompting multiple digital store fronts, including Steam, PlayStation Network and the Nintendo Eshop to crash. Yet some fans have been left feeling that Team Cherry could have added more to the game, including gamers in the MENA region have been a bit disappointed that the game hasn't shipped with an Arabic translation, so local fans have taken it upon themselves to localize the game in Arabic.
Why this matters: One fan has already released an early version, and popular fan translation site PlayArabic.com has announced that they will be releasing a mod that adds full Arabic to the game in the next two weeks. It's important to note here that indie games of Silksong's scale and genre rarely get this level of attention and treatment from fans the MENA region, who normally focus on AAA titles when it comes to single player games. The demand for an Arabic translation for Silksong shows this is beginning to change.
Link to original article (Arabic) →
Niko Partners returns as Knowledge Partner of gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show 2025
Niko Partners is back as the Knowledge Partner of gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show 2025. Use code NIKO10 to get 10% off your Business Area tickets!
Don’t miss the chance to connect with industry leaders and grow your network at one of the biggest gaming events in SEA.
Korea’s Supreme Court: Games that award "game money" for correct sports prediction are considered illegal gambling
On September 17, Korea's Supreme Court ruled that online games that award "game money" that can be exchanged for cash when you correctly predict the results of a sports game constitute illegal gambling. The 3rd Division of the Supreme Court had overturned the original verdict of not guilty for a person who was indicted on gambling charges, and sent the case back to the Seoul Northern District Court.
Why this matters: Korea has been increasingly specific in making sure that online games are separated from gambling, The indictment was due to charges of exchanging KRW 15.4 million ($11,180) worth of game money and then playing an online game on a private site where players had to predict the outcome of sports matches. If the prediction was correct, the player would receive game money according to a predetermined rate. If the prediction was incorrect, the player would lose the game money.
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Roblox sends a letter to Indonesian government, expressed commitment in child protection measures
Roblox sent an official letter addressed to the Ministry of Communication and Digital where it expressed the commitment to supporting the Indonesian government’s measures for child protection in the digital space. Roblox affirmed its readiness to collaborate with the Indonesia Game Rating System (IGRS). In addition to conveying a commitment to regulatory compliance, the letter also outlines Roblox's plans to share the results of an economic impact study highlighting the company's contribution to the growth of local developers in Indonesia.
Why this matters: Roblox has been banned in several countries due to concerns about child safety. A few Indonesian ministers have also expressed concerns about the game’s impact to young children, with talks about possible ban mentioned in the media in the past few weeks. Roblox’s quick coordination with the Indonesian government showcases how companies need to comply to local regulations to ensure smooth operation.
Link to original article (Indonesian) →
BGMI 4.0 adds Stepwell POI and Diwali features to deepen India-focused localization
Battleground’s Mobile India (BGMI), the India specific version of PUBG, has introduced a new point of interest within the base map called Stepwell in its 4.0 update. The battleground is inspired by Indian stepwells, designed to add vertical combat and hidden routes while keeping traditional open-field play viable. The update also brings Weekend GRIND time-bound rewards and Diwali-themed features like Exchange Center to encourage coordinated play.
Why this matters: A stepwell is a traditional Indian structure consisting of a series of descending steps that allows people to reach water. Built between the 2nd and 19th centuries, iconic stepwells have been made into UNESCO World Heritage sites and are a notable part of Indian history and culture. Krafton continues to build on the PUBG Mobile base in India with BGMI, tying local heritage and festivals together to increase downloads, event participation, and retention.
IHG partners with Honor of Kings esports
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) has announced a collaboration between its loyalty program (IHG One Rewards) and the King Pro League (KPL), the official esports league for Tencent's Honor of Kings in China. Beginning September 1, IHG One Rewards members will be able to redeem loyalty points for KPL match tickets and access exclusive fan packages, reinforcing the integration between hospitality and esports-driven tourism in China. The announcement comes after the KPL concluded its 2025 Summer Split with AG Super Play defending its championship title.
Why this matters: The KPL regularly holds matches in tier 1 and tier 2 cities across China, making it a key partner for tourism and hospitality brands looking to tap into young, mobile, digitally engaged consumers. This move comes amid growing government and industry support for "esports + tourism" models, with cities such as Chengdu, Xi'an, and Shanghai actively promoting esports events as part of their urban development and youth cultural strategies. IHG's participation signals the continued blurring of boundaries between traditional consumer sectors and gaming.
More than 10,000 games now support HarmonyOS 5, including Genshin Impact
Huawei has reached a new milestone in building out its HarmonyOS 5 (NEXT) gaming ecosystem. At a technical briefing held on September 10, Huawei Game Center announced that over 10,000 games are now available on HarmonyOS across more than 30 genres and multiple device types, including smartphones, PCs, tablets, and smart TVs. The event also marked the launch of the HarmonyOS version of Genshin Impact.
Why this matters: As of now, over 1,000 game developers and publishers have joined the HarmonyOS 5 ecosystem, and more than 14 million devices are using the OS since it started rolling out last October. Unlike previous iterations, HarmonyOS 5 does not support Android applications, meaning developers must build native apps and games specifically for the platform, positioning HarmonyOS as a third core mobile OS alongside Android and iOS. In Q2 2025, Huawei led China's smartphone market.
Link to original article (Chinese) →
Zupee lays off 170 employees after India's real money gaming ban
Zupee is laying off 170 employees (30% of staff) after India's ban on real money games. The company has said it is pivoting to ad-supported social games and micro-dramas via Zupee Studio, and a $6 (INR 499) per 3-month subscription (Zupee Plus). While large user bases like Zupee Studio's reported 150M users offers runway, ad/subscription ARPU is typically lower than RMG, implying tighter cash cycles and higher survival risk.
Why this matters: The cuts mirror wider retrenchment across RMG platforms, with A23 laying off roughly 500 positions, Mobile Premier League cutting reportedly 60-80% of staff, Baazi discharging over 200 (around 45%), and Games24x7 reducing significantly in size. The RMG ban is compressing the segment's workforce and near-term revenues, pushing operators toward new avenues, which does include traditional video games too.
Niko Partners delivers the most detailed, in-depth analysis and insights into the Asia, Middle East, and North Africa video games and esports markets. Our local feet on the ground produce a comprehensive set of market report series with Niko's proprietary data and insights. The 2025 China Gamer Behavior and Market Insights Reports is available now.
Lenovo announced Legion Go 2 PC gaming handheld
Lenovo officially announced the Legion Go 2, a high-end successor to its original Legion Go PC gaming handheld. Retaining the 8.8-inch display and detachable controller format, the new model introduces a range of significant hardware upgrades, including AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor and up to 32GB of RAM. The Legion Go 2 also features redesigned TrueStrike detachable controllers with improved ergonomics, hall effect joysticks to mitigate drift, and a revamped button layout optimized for smoother gameplay.
Why this matters: Set to launch in October 2025, the Legion Go 2 starts at $1,049, marking a substantial price increase from the original model's $749.99 launch price in 2023. This move places Lenovo's device into a more premium segment of the PC gaming handheld market, competing directly with offerings such as the ROG Ally X and the higher-end Steam Deck OLED models. The price hike suggests a strategic shift by Lenovo to target enthusiast-level consumers seeking premium performance and build quality, although it's likely that tariffs and high component costs play a large role as well.
Nintendo Taiwan eShop launches online service with lower pricing than Hong Kong
On September 9, Nintendo officially launched the Taiwan Nintendo Switch eShop, offering users in Chinese Taipei direct access to digital games and services. Notably, pricing for the Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) subscription in Taiwan is slightly more competitive than the existing Hong Kong store, especially for short-term plans. According to current exchange rates, Taiwan-based players can access NSO for NT$79/month (RMB 18.5), NT$199/3 months (RMB 46.7), and NT$599/year (RMB 140.5). The NSO + Expansion Pack plan is priced at NT$1279/year (RMB 300).
Why this matters: Nintendo's move to localize and regionalize eShop access reflects its broader strategy to deepen penetration in Greater China's fragmented market. While there is an official mainland China eShop, it does not include an NSO subscription service and is set to shut down in 2026. Nintendo Switch owners in China typically use the Hong Kong store to access digital games and sign up for an NSO subscription, which provides access to online multiplayer and classic games. We may see some players switch stores, or new players prefer the offering from the Taiwan eShop.
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