The Zhitong Finance App learned that according to the Sensor Tower store intelligence platform, in September 2026, a total of 37 Chinese manufacturers were shortlisted in the top 100 global mobile game publishers revenue list, attracting a total of 2 billion US dollars, accounting for 41.6% of the revenue of the world's top 100 mobile game publishers in the current period.
In September, the leading pattern of Chinese mobile game publishers was highly stable. The ranking of the top seven publishers remained unchanged, and Tencent continued to be at the top of the list. Mid-tier publishers performed more prominently. Bilibili's revenue increased 36% month-on-month, and the ranking rose 7 places; Joy Games rose 10 places to become one of the publishers with the biggest increase in the ranking this month. Additionally, Yisei, Youku Shengshi, and Dewdrop Games are back on the list.
Lilith's overall revenue has continued to grow since April. In September, the publisher's overall revenue reached a new high during the year, further consolidating its competitive position in the revenue list of Chinese mobile game publishers. “Clash of Critters” (“Tata Adventures”) contributed to the main revenue increase, increasing its share of revenue to 42% of the publisher's total revenue in September. What is more noteworthy is that the game's revenue in August just surpassed “The Awakening of Nations” by the same manufacturer. By September, the revenue had reached about twice that of the latter, and its leading edge expanded rapidly. As the game's revenue increased in Taiwan and South Korea at the end of August, and when it landed on iOS in mainland China on September 4, it continued to expand its user coverage. In September, mainland China, Japan, the United States, and Taiwan contributed 68% of total revenue, and multiple regional markets jointly supported its revenue performance.
Mobile game revenue from Lingxi Mutual Entertainment increased 33% month-on-month in September, rising 4 places to 9th place in the ranking. According to Sensor Tower data estimates, Lingxi Mutual Entertainment's core product “Three Kingdoms · Strategic Edition” earned about US$16 million in September, an increase of 54% over the previous month. Mainland China remains the game's core revenue market. On September 19, the game celebrated its 7th anniversary in mainland China. The initial revenue performance of the campaign was outstanding, driving the game to rank 3rd in the iOS mobile game bestseller list in mainland China for 2 consecutive days from September 19 to 20, and the highest number of anniversaries in history.
Bilibili's new game “Shine! “Lumi Master” (Lumi Master) launched on the global market in September. The game focuses on lightweight pet catching, integrating pet collection and cultivation, strategic battles, and home management. In terms of the global market, iOS in mainland China accounts for about 40% of the game's revenue, and the US and Japan together account for about 30%, making up the main source of revenue. After going online, “Let's shine! “Lumi” quickly rose to second place in revenue for mobile games owned by Bilibili in September, providing important support for the publisher's revenue growth.
Joy Games' mobile game revenue increased 30% month-on-month in September, mainly driven by “Duck Survival.” This game is a post-apocalyptic survival mobile game that combines lawnmower Roguelike battles, character development, and base building. Early Android testing dates back to April 2025, and the international version of iOS was launched in May 2026. According to Sensor Tower data, the game's revenue increased 140% month-on-month in September, surpassing “Legend of Mushroom” (Legend of Mushroom) for the first time and rising to number one in the publisher's monthly revenue.
As the publisher's revenue in September reached a record high, “Wild Water World” (Wild Water World) became a key incremental source. The game combines marine survival, resource management, and SLG gameplay. Revenue continued to grow after the Chinese version was launched in January 2026, breaking the historical record in September. At the same time, the game's overseas performance was outstanding. Since its launch at the end of August, it has successively won the top iOS mobile game download rankings in the Korean, Taiwanese, and Japanese markets. Overseas revenue has increased rapidly. In September, it reached 60% of global revenue, and boosted its September revenue to surpass “Lands of Jail”, making it the mobile game with the highest revenue in the world in that month.
In addition to the list, the top 100 Chinese mobile game publishers in the world are: Magic Tavern, Giant Network, BeheFun Games, Perfect World, Tap4Fun, Jiang Entertainment Interactive, and Game Spark.
Top 20 mobile game revenue in China's App Store
In September, China's App Store mobile game revenue list showed a multi-category growth trend. Tencent continues to occupy a leading position, with its products taking the top five in the list. Among them, the self-propelled chess circuit performed well. “Battle of the Golden Shovel” was promoted by the 5th anniversary celebration and seasonal events, and the ranking rose to 4th place; the new game “Wang Zhe Chess” entered 11th place in the App Store revenue list in the first month. At the same time, version updates and anniversary events led to a recovery in revenue for many long-term products. “Genshin”'s revenue increased 42% month-on-month and returned to the top ten; “Onmyoji” ushered in a 10th anniversary celebration, with revenue surging more than 170% month-on-month.
Tencent (00700)'s “Battle for the Golden Shovel” iOS revenue in mainland China increased 45% month-on-month in September. In terms of operation, the game launched a series of welfare activities around the 5th anniversary celebration, and launched limited characters, collection content, and summon offers during the return period of the “Spirit of Painting” season, forming a continuous payment node. According to Sensor Tower data estimates, on September 30, the game rose to 2nd place in the iOS mobile game best-selling list in China; on the same day, iOS revenue in mainland China exceeded 7.2 million US dollars, setting a new single-day revenue record.
In September, NetEase (09999)'s “Onmyoji” celebrated its 10th anniversary. In this issue, mainland China's revenue increased by more than 170% month-on-month, and monthly revenue peaked in nearly 3 years. On September 9, the “Eternity Celebration” campaign was launched to launch benefits such as SSR Shi Changji, SP 100 Phoenix Fire, and login to receive 100 draws, promoting the game to 3rd place in the App Store best-selling list in mainland China, making it the best ranking of the year.
Tencent's “Wang Zhe Wanxiang Chess” was officially launched in September. In the first month, it entered the 11th place in the Chinese App Store mobile game revenue list, and continued to rank as the top ranking in the mainland iOS mobile game free game list. As an IP derivative of “Wang Zhe Rongyao”, the game adds auctions, event cards, and hero growth mechanisms to the six-player self-propelled chess, which differs in gameplay from “Battle of the Golden Shovel”. According to Sensor Tower's September global self-propelled chess mobile game revenue rankings, Tencent's two products ranked in the top two, indicating that they have formed a dual product layout covering different gameplay experiences, and further consolidated their competitive advantage in this segment.
In September, Genshin ranked 9th and advanced to 4 places. On September 23, the 7.1 version of “Requiem to the Hades” was launched. The new five-star characters Wisner and Voyanessa entered the first half of the card pool, providing players with new character collection and training goals. The 6th anniversary was launched simultaneously, and 1,600 gemstones and a limited five-star selection were given by email, which effectively boosted backflow and payment conversion. Version updates combined with annual benefits pushed the game to jump from 29th to 2nd place in the iOS mobile game bestseller list in China, and single-day revenue reached its peak during the year.