Niko Partners raises its 2025 projections for the MENA and Asia gaming markets by 1.2%

The gaming markets in Asia and the MENA region are anticipated to bring in $88.97 billion in revenue by the year 2025. This figure surpasses earlier predictions.

Research conducted by Niko Partners reveals this marks a 2.7% yearly growth and represents a 1.21% increase compared to a former prediction of $87.9 billion, as noted in a report about the 2024 forecast.

The revised forecast by the firm attributes this growth to stronger performance on both PC and mobile platforms, bolstered by the popularity of "evergreen IP." The success of cross-platform AAA games also contributed significantly.

Furthermore, Niko Partners points out a rising number of consumers paying for games in both Asia and MENA. The industry benefits from "improved regulatory and policy conditions," enhancing the prospects for gaming in these regions.

Efforts to reach underserved groups, like women, are further expanding the market. Additionally, the upcoming introduction of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Grand Theft Auto 6 in 2026 is expected to drive console sales.

In 2024, the gaming revenue from the Asian and MENA markets reached $86.6 billion, with projections to climb to $99.6 billion by 2029.

China leads the region's gaming market, accounting for 57.5% of the total revenue. East Asia, comprising Korea and Japan, follows with a 32.7% share.

Although India's current contribution is only 1.2% of the region's total spending, Niko Partners forecasts an optimistic growth trajectory. Between 2024 and 2029, India's market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 12.9%, surpassing the next largest growth area—MENA-3 (which includes Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE).

In 2025, approximately 1.7 billion individuals in the Asia and MENA regions are projected to engage in gaming, consistent with 2024 figures. By 2029, this number is expected to rise by 17% to 2 billion.

China continues to hold a significant portion of the market share, representing 43.1% of the region’s gaming population. However, India, despite accounting for a minimal share of revenue, ranks second in terms of audience, with over 500 million gamers projected for 2025, comprising 29.6% of the sector's total audience.

With regards to audience expansion, India shows the most promising future. Niko Partners predicts an 8.1% compound annual growth rate in the number of gamers from 2024 to 2029, with expectations to exceed 700 million gamers by the end of this period.