These are exciting times for gaming and gamers. The industry has grown up, games are getting more immersive and interactive, with developers, studios, and players the winners. In 2024, the global gaming market was valued at about US$221 billion, and it’s expected to grow by 6.5 percent per year from now to 2033. Growth, however, can only happen when we have a strong gaming ecosystem, one that prioritizes connectivity, creativity, and innovation.

A collaborative ecosystem

The latest Game Developers Conference just wrapped up in San Francisco, and Tencent Games was there again to share the magic of games. Senior executives from Tencent Games shared stories of how passion and collaboration drive what we do. We act as connectors, helping independent developers and studios big and small access business opportunities, creative tools and the latest technological breakthroughs that can take the player experience to new levels.

Yong-yi Zhu is the Vice President of Business Operations, Strategy, and Compliance at Tencent Games Global. He outlined our commitment to working with and supporting the gaming community. It’s a two-way relationship that includes providing technical and business expertise while learning about what our partners and players want and need, and ensuring they retain their creative autonomy.

Our approach prioritizes sustainable growth. Knowing that each stakeholder is unique, we work to build on their strengths and passions, whether it’s a studio like Grinding Gear Games in New Zealand or Stunlock in Sweden, which is building an open-world vampire survival game with a team of less than 50 people.

Humanizing gameplay through technology

To continue making great games, we must constantly push for technological breakthroughs. Elvis Liu, Principal Engineer at MoreFun Studios, Tencent Games, put the spotlight on F.A.C.U.L, an AI companion that understands human language, enabling more exciting and realistic gameplay in FPS environments like Arena Breakout.

F.A.C.U.L can understand complex tactical instructions, provide real-time feedback, and carry out a variety of complicated tasks, such as ‘find me a good loot’, which were previously limited to simple commands like ‘aim the hose at the fire’.

Putting players first

No matter the title, no matter the technology, creating hit games can only happen if it’s fun and entertaining for players. Jesse Jiao, Engine Team Lead, and Lichuan Wang, Technical Art Team Lead at TiMi Studio Group, Tencent Games, highlighted how player input is a critical part of the development process.

Developer teams are always asking how they can improve the player experience across all devices, whether PC or mobile. Getting fresh ideas from multiple vantage points lets us optimize both performance and visuals, creatively pushing the limits of each platform as far as we can to create spectacular gaming worlds, characters and storylines.

Digital technology has opened up thrilling new worlds and opportunities for gaming. By leveraging connections and working together, the industry can thrive and elevate the gaming experience.

Check out Tencent Games highlights at the GDC 2025: press release link. Follow our games news on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.