AI storms content: from manga to games – 2026 forecast

In 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) became a powerful force transforming the landscape of the content industry. From emerging formats, such as AI-manga (AI漫剧), to traditional sectors, such as games, AI exerts increasing influence, opening new opportunities and presenting companies with new challenges.

AI-manga, a new content format that emerged from short-form videos, has relied on AI from the start. This format, combining elements of comics and anime, is often called "AI-manga," highlighting its dependence on AI technology. Without AI, this format likely would not exist. The Douyin platform reported significant growth in AI-manga popularity, and forecasts point to further market expansion to 20 billion yuan in 2025, which accounts for more than a third of the traditional film industry.

While AI's impact on short-form videos exceeded expectations, its effect on the gaming industry proved less radical than initially assumed. Previously, many expected the emergence of AI-native games (AI原生游戏), which would revolutionize development processes and offer players unprecedented freedom and randomness. However, by the end of 2025, AI remained primarily a tool for efficiency improvement rather than a factor in fundamental changes. Nevertheless, the number of games on the Steam platform using generative AI continues to grow, indicating potential for further development.

According to experts, in 2025 AI penetrated all stages of game development. Major gaming companies actively explore ways to apply AI to optimize processes and create new content. In particular, AI is used for graphics creation, audio design, and game localization. Although AI-native games developed entirely using AI have not yet gained widespread adoption, the industry expects a breakthrough that could transform the gaming industry.

In 2026, further growth and development of AI-manga is expected. An increase in both the quantity and quality of content is anticipated, as well as the emergence of popular AI-manga that attract a wide audience. Moreover, AI-manga is likely to expand to the international market, as short-form videos have done. AI reduces costs and barriers to market entry, making AI-manga attractive to global audiences.

In the gaming industry, AI will continue to play an important role in optimizing development processes and creating new content. AI-native games developed using AI are expected to become more common, but this will require time and further technological advancement. Overall, AI will continue to exert significant influence on the content industry in 2026, opening new opportunities and presenting companies with new challenges.