October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsPC HealthRecommendedCrashes, freezes, slowdowns? Check your PC nowSpot repairable issues before they interrupt work.Check PCOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
VGSources
Blog

Asia & MENA Games Market: Niko Partners Now Projects $103.6B by 2030

Niko Partners’ 2024 forecast put nearly 2 billion gamers in its tracked Asia and MENA markets by 2028. Its June 2026 model projects $103.6 billion in revenue and 1.99 billion players by 2030, with Southeast Asian console gaming excluded from the revenue estimate.
Length3 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The “nearly $100 billion and 2 billion players by 2028” headline was a Niko Partners forecast published in June 2024—not a result measured for 2028 and no longer the firm’s latest horizon. In its June 2026 update, Niko Partners projects $103.6 billion in games revenue and 1.99 billion players across its 13 tracked Asia and MENA markets in 2030. The revenue estimate excludes console gaming in Southeast Asia, so it should not be treated as a like-for-like total against forecasts with different geographic or platform coverage.

What happened to the 2028 forecast?

Niko Partners’ June 5, 2024 forecast said its tracked Asia and MENA markets would have nearly 2 billion gamers by 2028, up from 1.6 billion in 2023. It also estimated $86 billion in games revenue from gamer spending in 2023. Those were estimates and projections in the firm’s 2023–2028 model, not observed outcomes for 2028. Niko Partners’ 2024 announcement is the source of the widely repeated headline.

Niko subsequently moved the revenue milestone farther out in its published forecasts. Its June 2025 update projected $96.0 billion in player spending by 2029; the June 2026 model instead projects the market will pass $100 billion in 2030. Because each figure comes from a different forecast vintage and endpoint, the sequence is best read as successive model updates, not as a clean year-to-year revision of one fixed estimate.

What is the latest forecast?

Niko Partners’ June 1, 2026 summary estimates $88.9 billion in revenue for 2025 and projects $91.8 billion for 2026 and $103.6 billion for 2030. It projects 1.77 billion players in 2026 and 1.99 billion in 2030. These are the publisher’s estimates and projections, not independently verified totals. The 2030 revenue estimate excludes console gaming in Southeast Asia, which Niko says is less prevalent there.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI Gaming Laptop | Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 275HX | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti | 18" WQXGA 240Hz G-SYNC | 32GB DDR5 | 2TB Gen 4 SSD | Killer Wi-Fi 6E | PHN18-72-9474
  • Desktop-Level Performance, Anywhere: Get legendary gaming performance with the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, delivering ultra-smooth gameplay and future-ready AI (Up to 13 NPU TOPS). Offload tasks like background removal and audio optimization to the NPU for seamless streaming and gaming, while Intel Application Optimization enhances performance on classic titles.
  • Game-Changing Realism: Powered by NVIDIA Blackwell architecture, GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU unlocks the game changing realism of full ray tracing. Equipped with a massive level of 992 AI TOPS horsepower, the RTX 50 Series enables new experiences and next-level graphics fidelity. Experience cinematic quality visuals at unprecedented speed with fourth-gen RT Cores and breakthrough neural rendering technologies accelerated with fifth-gen Tensor Cores.
  • Supreme Speed. Superior Visuals. Powered by AI: DLSS is a revolutionary suite of neural rendering technologies that uses AI to boost FPS, reduce latency, and improve image quality. DLSS 4 brings a new Multi Frame Generation and enhanced Ray Reconstruction and Super Resolution, powered by GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs and fifth-generation Tensor Cores.
  • The Ultimate in Ray Tracing and AI: NVIDIA RTX is the most advanced platform for full ray tracing and neural rendering technologies that are revolutionizing the ways we play and create. Over 700 games and applications use RTX to deliver realistic graphics and incredibly fast performance with cutting-edge AI features like DLSS Multi Frame Generation.
  • Immersive Depth and Detail: At 18 inches with a 16:10 aspect ratio, the pristine WQXGA screen offering vibrant colors with up to 100% DCI-P3 operates at a fast 240Hz refresh and 3ms overdrive response time. Alongside the suite of features from NVIDIA G-SYNC and NVIDIA Advanced Optimus, you're guaranteed that whatever's on-screen is a distinct viewing delight.
Niko Partners forecast vintage Revenue or spending figure Player figure How to read it
June 2024 $86 billion in games revenue from gamer spending in 2023 1.6 billion in 2023; nearly 2 billion projected in 2028 Estimate and forecast in the 2023–2028 model
June 2025 $86.6 billion in player spending in 2024; $96.0 billion projected in 2029; 2.1% five-year CAGR Not stated in the public summary Different measure wording and a later forecast horizon
June 2026 $88.9 billion in 2025; $91.8 billion projected in 2026; $103.6 billion projected in 2030 1.77 billion projected in 2026; 1.99 billion projected in 2030 2030 revenue projection excludes Southeast Asian console gaming

Sources: Niko Partners, June 2024; Niko Partners, June 2025; Niko Partners, June 2026. “Revenue,” “player spending,” and number of gamers are different measures; do not combine them as though they were interchangeable.

Which markets does “Asia & MENA” include?

For these forecasts, the label means Niko Partners’ selected 13 country markets, not every country in Asia or the Middle East and North Africa. The covered markets are China, India, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The 2024 announcement and 2026 update describe this coverage.

Rank #2
Lenovo Legion 5 15IRX10 15.1" WQXGA OLED, Gaming Laptop, Intel Core i9 14th Gen 14900HX 1.6GHz; NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 8GB GDDR7; 32GB DDR5 RAM; 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD; Gigabit LAN, 2x2 WiFi 7
  • Intel Core i9 14th Gen 14900HX 1.6GHz Processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 8GB GDDR7, 32GB DDR5-5600 RAM
  • 1TB PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe M.2 SSD
  • 15.1" WQXGA OLED Glossy Display
  • Gigabit LAN, 2x2 WiFi 7 (802.11be), Bluetooth 5.4
  • 4.19 lbs. (1.90 kg),Windows 11 Home

The boundary matters when comparing market totals. A forecast covering additional countries or counting Southeast Asian console gaming is not measuring exactly the same market as Niko’s 2026 $103.6 billion projection.

Where is growth expected to come from?

Niko’s 2026 summary describes growth as uneven across the 13 markets. It forecasts India’s player spending to grow at an 11.2% five-year CAGR through 2030, while China, Japan, and Korea are projected to account for 88.6% of tracked-market revenue in 2030. The first figure is a spending growth rate; the second is a share of projected revenue. Neither is a ranking of total player counts. Niko’s 2026 summary also characterizes China, Japan, and Korea as mature markets and India and the three MENA markets as growth markets.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Sale
Light Gaming Laptop, ΑΜD Ryzen 5700U (Up to 4.3GHz), 16GB RAM 512GB SSD
  • [Top Performance Processors] KAIGERR Light gaming laptop R7-5700U by ΑΜD ZEN 3 architecture, matched with 16MB of L3 cache, built by TSMC 7nm process with 8 cores & 16 threads (turbo up to 4.3GHz). KAIGERR office light gaming laptops makes it easy to qualify for your PC work and PC games which have amazing loading and processing power for a smoother PC used experience
  • [Huge Capacity Storage] KAIGERR laptop comes with 16GB SODIMM DDR4 RAM, advantages of large operating memory capacity both can reduce read latency of memory data and improve CPU utilization. KAIGERR laptop computer configured with an M.2 2280 NVMe 512GB SSD which offers fast startup and loading of applications, as well as a large amount of storage space for your various files
  • [Brilliant Display & Integrated Graphics] KAIGERR Light gaming laptop features an innovative thin-bezel display that provides more usable onscreen space for immersive FHD viewing. KAIGERR laptop integrates with ΑΜD Radeon Graphics and delivers strong graphics processing like a rich level of image detail making it possible to play computer games or edit pictures with a great experience on this laptop
  • [Rich Interfaces & Wireless Connectivity] KAIGERR traditional laptop offers a variety of connectivity options, including HDMI, Type-C, 3.5mm TRRS Jack, Memory Card Slot and USB3.2 ports. You can easily connect to various devices and peripherals to expand your capabilities. Mini laptop computers equipped with WiFi6 & Bluetooth 5.2 which offer strong wireless signal, fast wireless connections, and reliable transmission speed
  • [Portable Design & Durable] KAIGERR laptop compact design makes it easy to carry with you wherever you go. Also, you can enjoy the benefits of a powerful computer without the bulk of a traditional desktop. KAIGERR laptop computers are built with high-quality components and designed to handle heavy workloads and deliver consistent performance and longevity. If you encounter any problems, please contact us and we will help you solve the problem within 12 hours

Niko Partners CEO Lisa Hanson, in the firm’s June 5, 2024 release, identified several drivers: “Asia and MENA remain critical in the global games market, and drivers to the growth in these regions include localization, increase in participation by female gamers, government support for esports, growth of out-of-app monetization of mobile games, and rising spending power.” This is her explanation of possible growth drivers, not a guarantee that each will contribute equally across all markets.

How much confidence should readers place in the numbers?

Niko says surveys contribute to its models. For the 2024 update it surveyed 7,700 gamers from November 2023 to April 2024; for the 2025 update it surveyed 7,885 gamers in March 2025. The public 2026 summary describes the report’s analysis but does not provide the complete calculation method, country-level assumptions, or forecast confidence intervals. Readers therefore cannot reproduce the latest projection or assess its uncertainty from the public summary alone.

Rank #4
KAIGERR Gaming Laptop, 24GB DDR5 512GB NVMe SSD Laptop Computer with AMD Ryzen 7 H255(8C/16T, Up to 4.9GHz), 16.0 inch Windows 11 Laptop, Radeon RX Vega 8 Graphics,WiFi 6, Backlit KB
  • 【ENGINEERED FOR SPEED】The KAIGERR 2026 RX16 laptop is equipped with the powerful AMD Ryzen 7 H255 processor (8C/16T, up to 4.9GHz), delivering superior performance and responsiveness. This upgraded hardware ensures a smooth experience, fast loading times, and high-quality visuals. It provides an immersive, lag-free experience. Its performance is far moere than 30% better than AMD R7 5700U/5800U/5825U/6600HX/7735HS.
  • 【Advanced Dual-Fan Cooling】KAIGERR’s dual-fan system expels heat faster than standard designs, drastically reducing thermal buildup during intense gaming or work. Optimized airflow keeps components cool, prevents throttling, and maintains smooth, sustained performance—all while staying quiet. Stay cool, play longer.
  • 【INSPIRE YOUR POSSIBILITIES】 The laptop on sale comes with 16GB DDR5 memory and a 512GB M.2 NVMe SSD for faster response times and ample storage. Dual-channel DDR5 memory supports upgrades to 64GB (2x32GB), and NVMe/NGFF SSD can be upgraded to 4TB, providing plenty of space for all your favorite videos/files.
  • 【Vivid 16.0" IPS Display】Featuring a wide color gamut and high refresh rate, the 16.1" IPS screen delivers smoother motion, richer colors, and exceptional detail—surpassing standard displays in both accuracy and immersion. Whether gaming, streaming, or creating, every frame appears lifelike and dynamic for a truly engaging visual experience.
  • 【KAIGERR: Quality Laptops, Exceptional Support.】Enjoy peace of mind with unlimited technical support and 12 months of repair for all customers, with our team always ready to help. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us—we’re here to help.

Niko’s 2026 summary attributes 46.3% of global video game revenue to its 13 tracked markets, with the same exclusion of Southeast Asian console gaming. Treat that share as part of Niko’s model and market definition, not as a universal comparison with estimates built on different coverage.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Where can business readers find country-level detail?

Niko identifies its market model reports and NikoIQ as sources for more detailed market analysis. Its public forecast announcements are summaries; the full country-level assumptions and analysis are not laid out in the 2026 public summary. Niko Partners’ 2024 announcement, 2025 forecast announcement, and 2026 update describe the relevant reports and model context.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
Acer Nitro V 16S AI Gaming Laptop | AMD Ryzen 7 260 Processor | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU (572 AI Tops) | 16" WUXGA IPS 180Hz Display | 32GB DDR5 | 1TB Gen 4 SSD | Wi-Fi 6 | ANV16S-41-R2AJ
  • AI-Powered Performance: The AMD Ryzen 7 260 CPU powers the Nitro V 16S, offering up to 38 AI Overall TOPS to deliver cutting-edge performance for gaming and AI-driven tasks, along with 4K HDR streaming, making it the perfect choice for gamers and content creators seeking unparalleled performance and entertainment.
  • Game Changer: Powered by NVIDIA Blackwell architecture, GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU unlocks the game changing realism of full ray tracing. Equipped with a massive level of 572 AI TOPS horsepower, the RTX 50 Series enables new experiences and next-level graphics fidelity. Experience cinematic quality visuals at unprecedented speed with fourth-gen RT Cores and breakthrough neural rendering technologies accelerated with fifth-gen Tensor Cores.
  • Supreme Speed. Superior Visuals. Powered by AI: DLSS is a revolutionary suite of neural rendering technologies that uses AI to boost FPS, reduce latency, and improve image quality. DLSS 4 brings a new Multi Frame Generation and enhanced Ray Reconstruction and Super Resolution, powered by GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs and fifth-generation Tensor Cores.
  • Vibrant Smooth Display: Experience exceptional clarity and vibrant detail with the 16" WUXGA 1920 x 1200 display, featuring 100% sRGB color coverage for true-to-life, accurate colors. With a 180Hz refresh rate, enjoy ultra-smooth, fluid motion, even during fast-paced action.
  • Internal Specifications: 32GB DDR5 5600MHz Memory (2 DDR5 Slots Total, Maximum 32GB); 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD (2 x PCIe M.2 Slots | 1 Slot Available)

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More quests from Patch Notes

  1. 6 Best RLCraft Server Hosting Providers in 2026 (Ranked)Blog8min
  2. 6 Best Palworld Dedicated Server Hosts in 2026 (Ranked)Blog8min
  3. How To Create Custom Stickers & Shoutouts In Monster Hunter WildsMonster Hunter WildsBlog20min
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.