MiHoYo's Genshin Impact was a watershed moment, proving Chinese developers could create a globally successful AAA-quality, free-to-play, live-service game. Its success elevated the entire Chinese gaming industry's reputation, even though many international players are unaware of its Chinese origin due to its anime-inspired aesthetic.

A major cultural shift has occurred in China. Consumers have moved from coveting foreign brands like Starbucks and Apple as status symbols to proudly supporting domestic champions. This is driven by both national pride in local innovation and better value.

The "Chinamaxxing" cultural trend has two distinct streams: the consumption of authentic short-form videos from China showing daily life, and Western-produced content where creators parody or adopt these Chinese aesthetics, like Tai Chi or drinking Qingdao beer.

A growing meme suggests China is becoming "hot" and "in," capturing the Western imagination with its futuristic cities and unique online culture. This cultural shift, amplified by influencers, positions China as a new center of gravity for trends, potentially supplanting the long-held cultural influence of Japan and Korea.

An American film's success in China increasingly depends on deep cultural resonance. Zootopia's plot about a character moving from the country to the big city mirrored the real-life dream of a billion Chinese citizens. This relatable narrative, rather than just action, was the key to its massive box office outperformance.

Gaming is more likely to be the spearhead of China's cultural soft power than film or music. The interactive nature of gameplay transcends language and narrative censorship barriers that constrain other media, allowing Chinese creative products to find a global audience in a way movies and TV shows have struggled to.

Chinese artists can achieve massive success without breaking into the U.S. market. The domestic market is so large that chasing American fame is often a poor investment compared to building a brand at home, thus limiting the creation of Western-tailored content.

A viral social media trend of Western youth adopting Chinese lifestyle habits reflects a growing disillusionment with American culture and a nuanced view of China. This 'China maxing' phenomenon shows an ability to appreciate Chinese culture (food, fashion, wellness) as distinct from the country's political system, representing a significant evolution in soft power dynamics.

Beyond financial returns and 'game washing,' Saudi Arabia's push into the gaming industry is a long-term soft power strategy. The goal is to create games based on the region's myths and legends, similar to how China successfully exported its culture through games like 'Black Myth Wukong,' thereby shaping its global image.