According to the latest projections from market‑research firm Newzoo, the worldwide video‑game industry is set to expand by roughly 6.1 percent in 2026, bringing total revenue to an estimated $213.9 billion. More than half of this spending is expected to come from two powerhouses – China and the United States – underscoring the continued dominance of these markets in shaping global gaming trends. The figures are drawn from Newzoo’s comprehensive Global Games Market Report, which will be released in full on 10 September.
The report breaks down the forecast by platform, business model, and geographic region, offering a detailed view of where growth is likely to originate and which segments will drive the most profit. **Console segment** Newzoo predicts that console‑based gaming will account for about 22 percent of the total market, translating into roughly $46.9 billion in revenue. This represents a 5.1 percent year‑over‑year increase and reflects steady demand for high‑end hardware and premium titles. A key catalyst for this uplift is the scheduled November release of Rockstar Games’ highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI.
The title is expected to lift full‑game spending by an impressive 17.5 percent, a growth rate that Newzoo describes as the strongest among all business models for the year. **Mobile gaming** Mobile devices remain the dominant platform, projected to capture 57 percent of global gaming spend – about $121.1 billion – and to grow 6.8 percent compared with the previous year.
The upward trajectory is being fueled by two main forces: higher average spend per player and the rapid expansion of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels. A recent survey conducted by FastSpring and Omdia revealed that 96 percent of game studios either already run or plan to launch their own D2C web stores. Studios cite improved brand visibility, stronger player loyalty, and richer first‑party data as primary motivations for moving away from third‑party marketplaces. **PC gaming** The personal‑computer segment is forecast to hold the smallest slice of the market at 21 percent, or $45.9 billion.
While still growing – at an estimated 5.3 percent year‑over‑year – PC growth is expected to decelerate relative to the 12 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) that Newzoo had projected for 2025. The slowdown is partly due to market saturation in mature regions, but Newzoo anticipates a geographically broad resurgence, led by emerging markets in Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.
**Business‑model outlook** Premium and mid‑priced titles are projected to continue sustaining revenue from full‑game purchases, especially as flagship releases like Grand Theft Auto VI hit the market. At the same time, microtransactions are expected to reclaim their position as the largest revenue‑generating model across platforms, driven by ongoing monetisation strategies in live‑service games and the increasing sophistication of in‑game economies. **Player‑base dynamics** The global player base is expected to reach 4.07 billion by 2029, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 3.2 percent after a 4.4 percent rise in 2026.
Newzoo cautions that future expansion will rely more on retaining and monetising existing gamers rather than on attracting large numbers of new participants. This shift reflects the limited room for deeper market penetration – player penetration is projected to edge up from 61.5 percent to 62 percent in 2026 – and points to a maturing audience that is increasingly online, with the total internet‑connected population estimated to climb 3.5 percent to 5.97 billion. **Regional growth patterns** Emerging markets continue to be the engine of growth.
The Asia‑Pacific region remains the largest contributor, while the Middle East and Africa are expanding at the fastest pace. Mobile gaming will dominate player numbers, with an estimated 3.10 billion mobile gamers in 2026 – representing roughly 84 percent of all gamers.
PC gamers are forecast to number about 977 million (26 percent of the total), and console gamers about 651 million (18 percent). **Implications for developers and publishers** The data suggests several strategic imperatives for industry stakeholders.
First, the outsized impact of blockbuster releases such as Grand Theft Auto VI highlights the continued importance of high‑budget, high‑visibility titles in driving full‑game revenue. Second, the surge in D2C storefront adoption indicates that studios seeking to maximise profit margins and deepen player relationships should consider building their own commerce ecosystems.
Finally, the modest growth in player penetration underscores the need for innovative engagement and retention tactics – from live‑service updates to community‑driven content – to extract more value from existing audiences. In summary, Newzoo’s outlook paints a picture of a robust but increasingly mature gaming market. While total revenues are set to surpass the $200 billion mark, the composition of that revenue is shifting toward mobile platforms, microtransaction‑based monetisation, and a focus on sustaining existing player bases across a diverse set of regions. Stakeholders who adapt to these trends – by leveraging D2C channels, investing in marquee releases, and prioritising player retention – are likely to capture the greatest share of the expanding pie.