ChinaJoy, officially known as the China Digital Entertainment Expo & Conference, has long been recognized as Asia’s largest and most influential digital entertainment event. In 2025, the 22nd edition of this annual extravaganza returned to the Shanghai New International Expo Center from August 1 to August 4, bringing together industry leaders, developers, gamers, and fans from across the globe. With the theme “Gather What You Love”, this year’s event highlighted the growing intersection of technology, creativity, and community in the digital entertainment industry.To get more news about chinajoy, you can citynewsservice.cn official website.
Scale and International Reach
The 2025 edition of ChinaJoy was remarkable in scale. 743 companies registered to participate, including 237 international exhibitors from 37 countries and regions, accounting for nearly one-third of the total. This strong international presence underscored the event’s role as a global hub for cultural exchange and business cooperation. The exhibition was divided into two major sections:
BTOC (Business-to-Consumer) Interactive Entertainment Hall: Over 283 companies showcased products across 110,000 square meters, offering immersive experiences for gamers and fans.
BTOB (Business-to-Business) Hall: More than 460 companies participated, with 45% of them international, emphasizing the event’s importance as a platform for cross-border partnerships.
Industry Highlights and Game Showcases
ChinaJoy 2025 was not just about scale; it was also about content. Major industry players such as Tencent Games and NetEase Games unveiled both popular titles and exciting new projects. NetEase, for example, presented over 40 existing games including Identity V, Naraka: Bladepoint, and Justice Online, alongside new releases like Sea of Oblivion and Destiny: Stars. Tencent also brought fan-favorite franchises, ensuring that players had plenty of opportunities for hands-on demos.
In addition, the expo introduced a “Creators’ Zone” for the first time. This area featured live performances, autograph sessions, and merchandise sales, designed to engage younger audiences and highlight the growing influence of independent creators and fan communities. The inclusion of this zone reflected a broader industry trend: the recognition of user-generated content and community-driven creativity as vital forces in shaping the future of entertainment.
Beyond the Exhibition Halls: Citywide Cultural Impact
One of the most innovative aspects of ChinaJoy 2025 was its citywide integration. The event extended beyond the expo center into Shanghai’s commercial districts through themed activities such as the “ChinaJoy Treasure Hunt in Pudong”. Cosplayers, interactive installations, and augmented reality experiences transformed shopping malls and public spaces into vibrant hubs of digital culture. This approach blurred the boundaries between the convention and the city itself, turning Shanghai into a living stage for digital entertainment.
Conferences and Knowledge Sharing
Alongside the main exhibition, ChinaJoy hosted high-level conferences including the China Digital Entertainment Congress (CDEC) and the China Game Developers Conference (CGDC). These gatherings brought together policymakers, executives, and developers to discuss topics such as AI in gaming, cross-platform integration, esports development, and global market strategies. By combining entertainment with professional dialogue, ChinaJoy reinforced its dual identity as both a consumer festival and a serious industry summit.
Economic and Cultural Significance
ChinaJoy’s impact extends far beyond the gaming industry. In 2024, Shanghai’s online gaming sector generated 155.8 billion yuan in revenue, marking a 7.8% year-on-year increase. The momentum carried into 2025, with the first quarter already showing double-digit growth. By anchoring itself permanently in Shanghai, ChinaJoy has become a cornerstone of the city’s ambition to position itself as a global hub for gaming innovation and esports excellence.
Conclusion
ChinaJoy 2025 was more than just a trade show; it was a cultural phenomenon. By combining large-scale exhibitions, international collaboration, citywide events, and professional conferences, it showcased the vibrancy and diversity of the digital entertainment industry. With its theme “Gather What You Love”, the event captured the spirit of a generation that sees gaming not only as entertainment but also as a form of cultural expression, social connection, and technological innovation.
As the digital entertainment industry continues to evolve, ChinaJoy remains a beacon of creativity and collaboration, proving that Shanghai is not only a host city but also a driving force in shaping the global future of interactive media.
ChinaJoy, officially known as the China Digital Entertainment Expo & Conference, has long been recognized as Asia’s largest and most influential digital entertainment event. In 2025, the 22nd edition of this annual extravaganza returned to the Shanghai New International Expo Center from August 1 to August 4, bringing together industry leaders, developers, gamers, and fans from across the globe. With the theme “Gather What You Love”, this year’s event highlighted the growing intersection of technology, creativity, and community in the digital entertainment industry.To get more news about chinajoy, you can citynewsservice.cn official website.
Scale and International Reach
The 2025 edition of ChinaJoy was remarkable in scale. 743 companies registered to participate, including 237 international exhibitors from 37 countries and regions, accounting for nearly one-third of the total. This strong international presence underscored the event’s role as a global hub for cultural exchange and business cooperation. The exhibition was divided into two major sections:
BTOC (Business-to-Consumer) Interactive Entertainment Hall: Over 283 companies showcased products across 110,000 square meters, offering immersive experiences for gamers and fans.
BTOB (Business-to-Business) Hall: More than 460 companies participated, with 45% of them international, emphasizing the event’s importance as a platform for cross-border partnerships.
Industry Highlights and Game Showcases
ChinaJoy 2025 was not just about scale; it was also about content. Major industry players such as Tencent Games and NetEase Games unveiled both popular titles and exciting new projects. NetEase, for example, presented over 40 existing games including Identity V, Naraka: Bladepoint, and Justice Online, alongside new releases like Sea of Oblivion and Destiny: Stars. Tencent also brought fan-favorite franchises, ensuring that players had plenty of opportunities for hands-on demos.
In addition, the expo introduced a “Creators’ Zone” for the first time. This area featured live performances, autograph sessions, and merchandise sales, designed to engage younger audiences and highlight the growing influence of independent creators and fan communities. The inclusion of this zone reflected a broader industry trend: the recognition of user-generated content and community-driven creativity as vital forces in shaping the future of entertainment.
Beyond the Exhibition Halls: Citywide Cultural Impact
One of the most innovative aspects of ChinaJoy 2025 was its citywide integration. The event extended beyond the expo center into Shanghai’s commercial districts through themed activities such as the “ChinaJoy Treasure Hunt in Pudong”. Cosplayers, interactive installations, and augmented reality experiences transformed shopping malls and public spaces into vibrant hubs of digital culture. This approach blurred the boundaries between the convention and the city itself, turning Shanghai into a living stage for digital entertainment.
Conferences and Knowledge Sharing
Alongside the main exhibition, ChinaJoy hosted high-level conferences including the China Digital Entertainment Congress (CDEC) and the China Game Developers Conference (CGDC). These gatherings brought together policymakers, executives, and developers to discuss topics such as AI in gaming, cross-platform integration, esports development, and global market strategies. By combining entertainment with professional dialogue, ChinaJoy reinforced its dual identity as both a consumer festival and a serious industry summit.
Economic and Cultural Significance
ChinaJoy’s impact extends far beyond the gaming industry. In 2024, Shanghai’s online gaming sector generated 155.8 billion yuan in revenue, marking a 7.8% year-on-year increase. The momentum carried into 2025, with the first quarter already showing double-digit growth. By anchoring itself permanently in Shanghai, ChinaJoy has become a cornerstone of the city’s ambition to position itself as a global hub for gaming innovation and esports excellence.
Conclusion
ChinaJoy 2025 was more than just a trade show; it was a cultural phenomenon. By combining large-scale exhibitions, international collaboration, citywide events, and professional conferences, it showcased the vibrancy and diversity of the digital entertainment industry. With its theme “Gather What You Love”, the event captured the spirit of a generation that sees gaming not only as entertainment but also as a form of cultural expression, social connection, and technological innovation.
As the digital entertainment industry continues to evolve, ChinaJoy remains a beacon of creativity and collaboration, proving that Shanghai is not only a host city but also a driving force in shaping the global future of interactive media.