(Image credit: Game Science)
Steam, a truly global gaming platform, now finds Mandarin as the most prevalent language among its users.
In a recent presentation at GDC 2025, Steam stats revealed that more than 66% of its users prefer a language other than English. Leading the charge is Simplified Chinese, commanding 33.7% of the user base, slightly edging out English’s 33.5%, with Cantonese at 1%.
The surge in Mandarin speakers is largely attributed to China’s vast gaming community. Recent titles like Black Myth: Wukong have invigorated local interest in PC gaming. As one developer expressed, “we’ve wanted to make these kinds of games from the beginning.”
Other notable successes in the Chinese gaming sphere include Genshin Impact, Infinity Nikki, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero. The influence of Tencent, a gaming giant, cannot be overstated, as it has made significant contributions across mobile and PC platforms. Yet, Wukong’s success underscores the viability of console and PC offerings.
Japanese developers acknowledge China’s incredible animators and resource pool. They point out, “Chinese game projects often use 10x more money and manpower than Japan – the scale is incomparable.” The free-spirited nature of the Chinese industry allows for “crazy” ideas to flourish, unlike in Japan.
Beyond China, Mandarin is also spoken widely in Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. It can also be heard in South Korea and Vietnam.
If you’re looking for more excitement, explore our curated list of top action games to satisfy your Black Myth cravings.
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