Steam has solidified its status as a truly global gaming platform, with recent statistics revealing that Mandarin has emerged as the most widely used language among its users. During a presentation at GDC 2025, it was highlighted that over 66% of Steam users have selected a primary language other than English. Notably, Simplified Chinese has taken the lead, with 33.7% of gamers opting for it, closely followed by English at 33.5%, while Cantonese accounts for a mere 1%.
Growth of Chinese Gaming
This shift in language preference is not surprising, given the increasing popularity of games developed by Chinese companies. Titles such as Genshin Impact, Infinity Nikki, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero have seen remarkable success, further establishing the prowess of Chinese developers in the gaming industry. Tencent, a major player in the gaming world, continues to expand its influence across various platforms, including mobile and PC. However, the recent success of titles like Wukong has underscored the viability of console and PC games as well.
Japanese game developers have noted the impressive resources available in China, stating that projects there often utilize ten times the budget and workforce compared to their Japanese counterparts. This scale of production allows for a more adventurous approach to game development, where unconventional ideas that might not receive approval in Japan can flourish.
Moreover, the rise of Mandarin speakers on Steam is not solely attributed to mainland China. Taiwan, with its diverse linguistic landscape, also has a significant Mandarin-speaking population. Additionally, countries like Singapore and Malaysia boast a high number of Mandarin speakers, while travelers have reported encountering the language in South Korea and Vietnam during their visits in 2023.
While you’re here, check out our list of the best action games you can play right now to satiate that Black Myth itch.
