According to Newzoo’s upcoming Global Games Market Report, the worldwide video‑game sector is slated to expand by roughly 6.1 percent in 2026, pushing total revenues to an estimated $213.9 billion. The bulk of this financial activity continues to be driven by two dominant markets—China and the United States—where more than half of all consumer spending on games is expected to originate. The full report, which will be released on September 10, offers a detailed breakdown of how each platform and business model contributes to this growth trajectory. Console gaming is projected to account for about 22 percent of the overall market, translating to $46.9 billion in revenue.
This represents a 5.1 percent increase over the previous year and reflects the continued appeal of next‑generation hardware and high‑profile releases. One of the most significant catalysts for this uplift is the anticipated November debut of Grand Theft Auto VI.
Newzoo estimates that the title will boost full‑game spending by an impressive 17.5 percent, making it the strongest growth driver among all existing business models. Mobile gaming remains the largest segment by far, expected to capture 57 percent of total industry revenue—approximately $121.1 billion. The mobile share is set to rise 6.8 percent year‑over‑year, a gain fueled by 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. Developers cite enhanced brand visibility, stronger player loyalty, and richer first‑party data as the primary motivations for moving away from third‑party marketplaces. In contrast, the PC platform is forecast to hold the smallest slice of the market at 21 percent, equating to $45.9 billion. While still growing—at an estimated 5.3 percent year‑over‑year—PC revenue is expected to decelerate relative to the 12 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) that Newzoo projected for 2025.
Despite the slower pace, growth on PC is anticipated to be geographically diverse, with notable expansion across the Asia‑Pacific region, Latin America, and the Middle East‑Africa (MEA) markets. When it comes to monetisation strategies, premium and mid‑priced full‑game releases are expected to maintain a steady flow of revenue.
However, microtransactions are forecast to reclaim the top spot as the most lucrative business model, overtaking traditional sales in the near term. This shift underscores the industry’s broader move toward continuous revenue streams rather than one‑off purchases. Player numbers are also a focal point of Newzoo’s outlook. The global player base is projected to reach 4.07 billion by 2029, growing at a compound annual rate of 3.2 percent after a 4.4 percent increase in 2026.
This modest slowdown suggests that future growth will rely more heavily on deepening engagement with existing gamers rather than simply attracting new ones. In fact, Newzoo notes that the market’s expansion will increasingly hinge on retaining current audiences and extracting additional value from them. Regional dynamics further illuminate where the industry’s momentum is concentrated.
Emerging markets continue to drive the bulk of growth, with the Asia‑Pacific region remaining the largest contributor in terms of revenue and player count. Meanwhile, the Middle East and Africa are experiencing the fastest growth rates, reflecting rising internet penetration and increasing disposable income in those areas. By 2026, mobile gamers are expected to number 3.10 billion, representing roughly 84 percent of all players worldwide. PC gamers are projected to total 977 million (about 26 percent of the total), while console enthusiasts are estimated at 651 million, accounting for 18 percent of the global audience.
These figures illustrate the dominant role of mobile platforms in shaping the future of gaming. Player penetration—the proportion of the global online population that engages in gaming—is anticipated to edge up slightly from 61.5 percent to 62 percent in 2026. Newzoo emphasizes that there is limited scope for dramatic increases in penetration; instead, the modest rise reflects the overall online population expanding by roughly 3.5 percent to reach 5.97 billion individuals. In summary, Newzoo’s forecast paints a picture of a maturing industry where growth is increasingly derived from deeper monetisation of existing users, the proliferation of D2C storefronts, and the continued dominance of mobile gaming.
The upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto VI stands out as a headline event that could inject a substantial boost into full‑game sales, while microtransactions are poised to reclaim their position as the premier revenue generator across platforms. As the market evolves, developers and publishers will need to balance innovative monetisation approaches with strategies that sustain player interest and loyalty across an ever‑expanding, yet increasingly saturated, global audience.