LogInLearn what makes Asia’s gaming economies so dynamic, and how developers can unlock real growth by supporting the payment methods players already trust.
Asia’s gaming market isn’t just growing; it’s evolving fast, with mobile leading the way and local payment preferences shaping the path forward.
Valued at $136.5 billion in 2023 and projected to expand at 10.9% CAGR through 2030, the region offers enormous opportunities but also unique challenges. From Indonesia’s mobile-first surge to Japan’s hybrid spending culture, success increasingly depends on getting payments right at the local level.
In this article, we break down what makes Asia’s gaming economies so dynamic, and how developers can unlock real growth by supporting the payment methods players already trust. Solutions like Xsolla Payments help bridge gaps, enabling more seamless monetization across borders.
These markets are small today but growing fast. Increased internet access, rising smartphone usage, and the growth of local gaming communities are driving the adoption of mobile games. Esports and competitive gaming are rapidly gaining popularity, particularly in Vietnam and the Philippines.
It's no surprise that Xsolla Payments now includes six new local, player-popular payment methods in Asia. This is a strategic advantage for developers looking to grow their game in one of the world's hottest gaming markets.
Localization where it counts
Asia’s mobile gaming market is booming, with each country showing distinct drivers behind its growth. A close examination of the regional breakdown in 2024 reveals clear leaders and trends that are shaping the landscape.
Indonesia: Leading with 35% market share
Indonesia holds the largest share of the mobile gaming market in Southeast Asia. Understandable, given a young, mobile-first population with widespread access to smartphones. The significant role that esports play, backed by government support through programs like Baparekraf Game Primestability, further bolsters the industry's growth. This combination of access, youth, and infrastructure, along with the government's commitment, continues to drive Indonesia’s dominance.
Singapore: Fastest growth, strong infrastructure
While Singapore’s overall market share is smaller, it’s growing quickly, with a projected 20% annual growth rate through 2029. As a regional technology hub, it’s home to major players like Ubisoft, Riot Games, and Bandai Namco. Singapore's robust 5G coverage, coupled with investment in cloud gaming and a stable business environment, positions it as a key hub for development and publishing.
Thailand: Esports are a national priority
Thailand treats gaming seriously. Consumers are officially recognizing esports as a sport, and the government supports gamification through initiatives such as the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA). This formal backing has drawn investors and boosted grassroots engagement.
Malaysia: Built for mobile gaming
Malaysia boasts one of the highest smartphone penetration rates in the region, paired with a maturing esports ecosystem. Local studios are active, and player communities are thriving, making it a strong contributor to the regional mobile scene.
Japan: Console still rules, but mobile grows quietly
Japan’s mobile segment behaves differently. Console gaming remains the dominant choice among younger players, with 72% preferring it, primarily due to parental influence and a strong emphasis on game culture. However, highly game-engaged youth flock to esports, VTubers, and game streaming, with 46% participating in competitive play. Parental attitudes significantly shape this ecosystem: most are gamers themselves and tend to favor household regulation over government controls.
Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia, and Brunei: Quiet climbers
These markets are small today but growing fast. Increased internet access, rising smartphone usage, and a surge in local gaming communities are driving the adoption of mobile games. Esports and competitive gaming are gaining popularity rapidly, particularly in Vietnam and the Philippines.
Emerging player trends in Asia
Asia’s gaming market is evolving rapidly, with increasing playtime, growing esports engagement, diverse spending habits, and a rising interest in Web3. Here are 6 key insights to add to your SEA game market knowledge bank.
- Playtime rebounds sharply. Gaming time grew by 53.2% YoY in 2024 across SEA-6 countries, led by Thailand and Vietnam, reversing the 2023 post-COVID decline.
- Esports dominate engagement. Over 50% of gamers in the region actively engage in esports, with competitive titles that top charts across both mobile and PC.
- Women lead in in-game spending. 30% of female gamers make game purchases — outpacing men (22%) — highlighting their growing influence in the market.
- Digital wallets are king. More than 75% of gamers prefer digital wallets, while older players lean toward cards and younger ones favor cash-based options.
- Rising interest in Web3 and play-to-earn. Play-to-earn and Web3 gaming remain strong, especially in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, despite slower industry growth.
- Localization, inclusion, and local IP matter. SEA gamers prioritize local language support and representation and increasingly champion locally made games, such as GigaBash and Coral Island.
Cross‑border fragmentation
Asia’s gaming ecosystem isn’t monolithic. It’s diverse; a blend of rising economies, payment cultures, and rapid mobile adoption.
It's easy to see why Asia's cross-border monetization demands more than just translation, and why developers need a more tailored approach to payments across the region.
- Multiple currencies, languages, platforms, and purchasing behaviors can be a challenge.
- High mobile wallet and bank-transfer usage, compounded by low credit card penetration in many areas.
- Trust in local methods is key. If players don’t see their payment method, they don't complete their transaction, resulting in churn.
What payment methods do players prefer?
Xsolla bridges the gaps with a suite of localized payment methods, compliance infrastructure, anti-fraud tools, and monetization integrations, empowering developers to convert more gamers into paying users.
- Thailand: ShopeePay for wallet-based payments, K PLUS for bank-linked payments, and AIS for direct carrier billing (DCB).
- Malaysia: FPX bank transfers are the dominant payment method, with ShopeePay gaining traction.
- Singapore: A digitally mature market that favors digital wallets like ShopeePay for fast, mobile-first checkouts.
- Indonesia: Indosat is a direct carrier billing (DCB) option that supports monetization among players without cards or digital wallets.
- Japan: People here embrace digital wallets, such as MerPay, which serve nearly 17 million users.