Chinese New Year brings a surge in online shopping as people prepare gifts, home items, and travel essentials. It also brings a slowdown in production and logistics across the region. As merchants face a unique combination of higher demand and tighter supply, the right preparation allows you to keep orders moving while meeting buyer expectations.

Preface The global gaming industry has entered a phase of stable, mature growth – and Southeast Asia is fast emerging as its next powerhouse. With a population of more than 600 million, this diverse region is being transformed by rapid mobile internet adoption, improved digital infrastructure and large, youthful demographic. In 2024, gaming revenues across the six major Southeast Asian markets exceeded USD 12.8 billion, underlining both the sector’s resilience and its shift from a once “emerging” market to a strategic region that global gaming companies can no longer afford to ignore.

Preface As a global leader and key driver of the gaming industry, the United States not only sets the benchmark with an expected market value of nearly USD 142 billion – representing 27% of the global total – but also boasts a high-value user base of 205 million players who spend an average of $679.07 annually. The mobile gaming segment currently stands out as the most dynamic growth frontier, with hyper-casual titles built around short, simple, and fast gameplay rapidly attracting vast audiences through low entry barriers and ad-driven monetisation. Meanwhile, the rise of niche segments such as children’s and family games signals new areas of opportunity. Together, these developments illustrate a complex yet compelling market landscape where scale meets value – and opportunity is balanced by high barriers to entry.