China Dominates Gamescom 2025: A New era for Global Gaming
COLOGNE, Germany – Gamescom 2025 has concluded, and the resounding message is clear: China is a gaming powerhouse. Chinese developers captivated attendees and industry experts alike with a stunning showcase of titles like Phantom Blade Zero and black Myth: Zhong Kui,signaling a significant shift in the global gaming landscape.
(Image: Visitors take pictures of models of game “Black Myth: Wukong” during Gamescom 2025 in Cologne,germany,Aug. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/zhang Fan))
The presence of a record 50 Chinese exhibitors transformed the Cologne fairgrounds into a hub of innovation and excitement. Gamers like Tim, from Germany’s Harz region, were visibly impressed. “the art style is really cool, and even the boss fight I just cleared looked great,” he said after demoing Phantom Blade Zero, an action role-playing game already boasting 6 million views on its latest gameplay video.
This year’s event wasn’t just about demos. Game Science, the studio behind the globally successful Black Myth: Wukong (inspired by Journey to the West), closed gamescom’s Opening Night Live with a breathtaking trailer for Black Myth: Zhong Kui, a new title steeped in Chinese folklore. The reveal was met with thunderous applause both in the arena and online.(Image: People try games at Gamescom 2025 in Cologne, Germany, on Aug. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan))
“Chinese game developers in recent years have emerged as ‘true content creators’ and ‘peers of leading European,U.S. and Japanese studios,'” stated Grace Pan, Senior Project Manager at Koelnmesse, co-organizer of Gamescom. She highlighted the distinctive elements Chinese developers bring to the table: “they are bringing a wide variety of new titles, advanced production techniques and distinctive elements such as Chinese martial arts and mythology.”
Mobile Gaming & Growing Partnerships
The impact extends beyond AAA titles. A report from the German Games Industry Association revealed the surging popularity of Chinese mobile games in Germany, with four Chinese-developed titles ranking among the top 10 most downloaded in 2024. This trend was reflected at Gamescom itself, where three Chinese titles were nominated for Best Mobile Game, ultimately won by Shanghai-based Infold Games’ Love and Deepspace.
**(image: A visitor greets a cosplayer at Gamescom 2025 in Cologne, Germany, on Aug. 20, 20
