“Every animation is far superior to our games.” Arknights: Endfield, developed by Chinese studio Hypergryph, proves that China is making a bold entry into the international gaming scene.

There has been plenty of discussion about China’s rapid rise in the high-budget gaming industry, with a clear focus on dominating the Western market. While Chinese studios have long been successful domestically, more and more projects have found international acclaim—Black Myth: Wukong being a prime example. Now, China’s growing presence in the AAA gaming world has raised concerns in Japan, where industry professionals acknowledge that Chinese developers may already be years ahead in production techniques. The latest trailer for Arknights: Endfield has reignited this debate.

The newly released footage from Hypergryph’s upcoming title—already surpassing 6.9 million views—showcases incredibly fluid and meticulously detailed animations, particularly in the movements of the character Yvonne. Both Japanese gamers and industry experts have taken note, impressed by the high-quality motion work. Alwei, a representative of Indie-Us Games and an Unreal Engine specialist, pointed out that the real gap between Chinese and Japanese games is not graphics, but animation.

China Raises the Bar for Game Animation

Experts argue that Chinese developers excel in physics, camera work, and guiding player attention within gameplay. One major hurdle for Japanese studios is a shortage of skilled animators. The high demand for talent has led to fierce competition not only between companies but also between different departments within the same organization. Additionally, budget constraints force Japanese developers to rely on generic movement patterns and motion capture instead of custom animations—something Chinese studios can afford to prioritize.

Another key factor is the difference in funding and production methods. An anonymous Japanese animator pointed out that it’s not just about Chinese games having bigger budgets, but also how they allocate resources and set their creative ambitions. While Japanese studios tend to focus on visual appeal to attract players, Chinese developers invest heavily in animation and expressive character movements. Shiba_29, a Japanese illustrator who has worked with Chinese studios, claims that projects in China operate on a “ten times larger scale”, with a more flexible work environment that encourages experimentation—something that rarely happens in Japan.

The long-term impact of these shifts remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: China is setting a new industry standard for game animation. With studios like HoYoverse, Hypergryph, and Kuro Games pushing the boundaries of detail and fluidity, Japanese developers face a serious challenge as China strengthens its grip on the international gaming market.

Source: 3djuegos