Delta Force Surpasses $300M on Mobile, 96% From China

Delta Force, Tencent’s tactical shooter developed by Team Jade, has reached a new mobile revenue milestone with $300 million in player spending across Google Play and the App Store just five months after global release. Almost all spending (96%) comes from China, reflecting the game’s massive domestic appeal since its early access launch in late 2024. Recent in-game events and special collaborations fueled a record daily revenue peak of $9.3 million on September 19, a 333% jump in just one week. The title’s rapid ascent underscores China’s dominance in mobile gaming and the power of live events to drive engagement.

Delta Force’s impressive financial performance in 2025 can be directly traced to its surging daily engagement and concentrated appeal among Chinese gamers. The game’s major summer revenue growth began in July, when player spending jumped 166% month-over-month to $62.4 million, nearly doubling its previous record set in May. Spending continued above $50 million in August, poised to make September its most lucrative month yet as daily revenue shattered previous highs.

Tencent and Team Jade’s post-launch strategy focused on continuous content updates and dynamic in-game challenges. Events like the bi-weekly summer challenge, Summer Pass, accelerative quests, treasure hunts, and crossover promotion, most notably with Norwegian DJ Alan Walker, played central roles in engaging existing fans and attracting new spenders. The September introduction of exclusive modes and themed challenges, including the popular Gator Frenzy, kept player participation at record levels.

While 96% of the game’s $303.5 million in mobile spending hails from China, international uptake remains modest. US players contributed $2.9 million and Japan $2.5 million, with no other market topping $1 million. Despite a global release, the data points to the continued concentration of high-value live ops-driven shooters in the Chinese market, buoyed by massive audiences and a monetization model that rewards frequent updates.

Delta Force’s rise to industry leader status in less than six months highlights Tencent’s robust live operations, effective collaborations, and the unmatched spending power of Chinese mobile players in today’s global gaming industry.