NetEase Revenue Hits $16.1 Billion in 2025, Up 6.9%
▼ Summary
– NetEase’s total 2025 revenue grew 6.9% to RMB 112.6 billion, with its gaming segment revenue rising 10.1% to RMB 92.1 billion.
– The gaming growth was driven by titles like Fantasy Westward Journey Online, Identity V, Where Winds Meet, and Marvel Rivals, with online games comprising 97.3% of the segment’s revenue.
– In Q4 2025, overall revenue increased 3% year-on-year to RMB 27.5 billion, while gaming revenue grew 3.4% to RMB 22 billion, aided by strong franchise engagement.
– The company announced it has fully integrated AI across its game development cycle, using it to improve production efficiency and enable new interactive, AI-native gameplay features.
– CEO William Ding stated the results reflect durable game operations and growing global impact, with a future focus on creative talent, global partnerships, and advancing AI capabilities.
NetEase has announced its full-year financial performance for 2025, revealing a steady increase in total revenue. The company generated RMB 112.6 billion ($16.1 billion), which represents a solid 6.9% growth compared to the previous year. This performance underscores the resilience of its core gaming business and its expanding global footprint.
The driving force behind this success was the games segment, which saw revenue climb to RMB 92.1 billion ($13.2 billion). This marks a significant 10.1% year-over-year increase. The vast majority of this income, a striking 97.3%, came from online games. Key titles fueling this growth included the enduring Fantasy Westward Journey Online, alongside Identity V, Where Winds Meet, and the competitive shooter Marvel Rivals.
Focusing on the final quarter of the year, NetEase reported gaming revenue of RMB 22 billion ($3.1 billion), a 3.4% rise from the same period in 2024. The company’s total quarterly revenue reached RMB 27.5 billion ($3.9 billion). Management highlighted the strong sales performance of Fantasy Westward Journey Online and Marvel Rivals, as well as the continued success of Everstone Studios’ Where Winds Meet. This open-world adventure title has now attracted over 80 million cumulative players globally, demonstrating its widespread appeal. Furthermore, NetEase noted that its portfolio of classic franchises maintained robust player engagement throughout the quarter.
An additional success story involved the company’s management of Blizzard Entertainment titles in the Chinese market. By focusing on delivering enriched content and localized experiences, NetEase achieved record-high annual revenue for these games in the region.
A major strategic focus outlined in the report is the company’s deep investment in artificial intelligence. NetEase announced it has fully integrated AI technology across the entire game development pipeline. This integration spans critical areas such as art creation, game design, programming, animation, and quality assurance testing. The company believes this widespread adoption will enhance its capacity for large-scale, efficient production. More importantly, it paves the way for the introduction of dynamic, AI-native gameplay features in several of its flagship titles.
William Ding, NetEase’s CEO and director, commented on the results, stating, “We concluded 2025 with another healthy quarter, reflecting the durability of our long-term game operations and the growing impact of our global titles.” He emphasized the transformative role of AI, calling it a “foundational competency” that is already improving production efficiency and enabling new, previously impossible interactive experiences for players.
Looking to the future, Ding reiterated the company’s commitment to excellence across all its operations. He pointed to a strategy centered on nurturing creative talent, strengthening international partnerships, and responsibly advancing AI capabilities. The ultimate goal is to extend the lifespan of its existing game franchises while simultaneously innovating to deliver greater value to a global community of players and shareholders.
(Source: Games Industry)
