According to the latest projections from market‑research firm Newzoo, the worldwide video‑game industry is set to expand by roughly 6.1% in 2026, bringing total revenue to an estimated $213.9 billion. More than half of this spending is expected to come from two of the largest consumer bases on the planet—China and the United States—underscoring the continued importance of these markets for developers and publishers alike. The figures are drawn from Newzoo’s comprehensive Global Games Market Report, which will be released in full on September 10.
The report breaks down the forecast by platform, business model, and regional dynamics, offering a detailed picture of where growth is expected to originate. **Console segment** Console sales and associated software revenue are projected to represent about 22 % of the total market, amounting to $46.9 billion.
This marks a 5.1 % increase over the previous year and reflects steady demand for next‑generation hardware and high‑profile releases. One of the most significant catalysts for this growth is the slated November launch of Rockstar Games’ long‑awaited title, Grand Theft Auto VI. Newzoo anticipates that the game will lift full‑game spending by roughly 17.5 %, a boost that the firm describes as the strongest growth seen among any business model this year. **Mobile dominance** Mobile gaming remains the engine of the industry, forecast to capture the largest share of revenue at 57 %—equating to $121.1 billion.
The sector is expected to grow 6.8 % year‑on‑year, driven by higher average spend per player and the accelerating adoption of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels. A recent survey conducted by FastSpring and Omdia revealed that 96 % of game studios either already run a D2C storefront or plan to launch one in the near future. Studios cite benefits such as stronger brand visibility, deeper player loyalty, and richer first‑party data that can be leveraged for personalized marketing and monetisation strategies.
**PC outlook** The personal‑computer segment is forecast to account for the smallest slice of the market, about 21 % or $45.9 billion. Growth on PC is expected to slow to 5.3 % year‑over‑year, a noticeable dip from the 12 % compound annual growth rate (CAGR) projected for 2025. Nevertheless, Newzoo expects PC growth to be geographically broad‑based, with the strongest expansion coming from the Asia‑Pacific region, Latin America, and the Middle East‑Africa (MEA) markets. Premium and mid‑priced titles are likely to continue sustaining revenue from full‑game purchases, while microtransactions are poised to reclaim their position as the leading business model across all platforms.
**Player base trends** While revenue is set to rise, the overall growth rate of the player base is expected to decelerate. Newzoo predicts a 4.4 % year‑on‑year increase in the number of gamers in 2026, followed by a slower 3.2 % CAGR through 2029. By the end of the forecast horizon, the global gaming population is projected to reach approximately 4.07 billion players. This shift signals that future expansion will rely more on retaining and monetising existing users rather than on attracting large numbers of new participants.
**Regional dynamics** Emerging markets continue to be the primary source of growth. The Asia‑Pacific region remains the largest contributor, while the Middle East and Africa are experiencing the fastest expansion rates.
Mobile gamers are expected to number 3.10 billion in 2026, representing roughly 84 % of all players. PC gamers are projected to reach 977 million (about 26 % of the total), and console enthusiasts are estimated at 651 million (approximately 18 %).
**Penetration and market saturation** Player penetration—defined as the proportion of the global online population that engages in gaming—is forecast to edge up slightly from 61.5 % to 62 % in 2026. Newzoo notes that there is limited headroom for further expansion through deeper penetration; instead, growth will largely be a function of the overall online population increasing by an estimated 3.5 % to reach 5.97 billion people.
**Implications for developers and publishers** The data suggests several strategic takeaways for industry stakeholders. First, the continued dominance of mobile platforms means that optimisation for small‑screen experiences, efficient monetisation via in‑app purchases, and robust D2C storefronts will be critical.
Second, the anticipated surge in full‑game spending tied to blockbuster releases such as Grand Theft Auto VI highlights the enduring value of premium, narrative‑driven titles that can command higher price points. Third, the slowing growth of the player base underscores the importance of lifecycle management—keeping existing players engaged through regular content updates, live‑service models, and community‑building initiatives. **Looking ahead** Overall, Newzoo’s forecast paints a picture of a maturing industry where revenue growth is increasingly decoupled from raw player acquisition.
As markets in Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and MEA continue to mature, and as D2C channels become the norm rather than the exception, developers will need to balance the pursuit of new audiences with the deepening of relationships with current fans. The next few years will likely see a greater emphasis on data‑driven personalization, cross‑platform ecosystems, and innovative monetisation structures that can sustain the projected $213.9 billion market size while navigating the evolving preferences of a global gaming community.