According to Newzoo’s upcoming Global Games Market Report, the worldwide video‑game industry is set to expand by 6.1 percent in 2026, pushing total revenues to roughly $213.9 billion. More than half of this spending is expected to come from two powerhouse markets—China and the United States—underscoring the continued dominance of these regions in shaping global gaming trends. The full report, slated for release on September 10, breaks down the forecast by platform and business model, offering a detailed view of where growth will be concentrated. Console sales, for instance, are projected to generate $46.9 billion, representing 22 percent of the overall market and marking a 5.1 percent year‑over‑year increase.
A key driver behind this uplift is the highly anticipated November launch of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto VI. Newzoo predicts the title will lift full‑game spending by an impressive 17.5 percent, making it the strongest growth catalyst among all business models this year. Mobile gaming remains the largest segment, accounting for 57 percent of total revenue and expected to reach $121.1 billion.
This 6.8 percent annual rise is fueled by higher average spend per player and the rapid expansion of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels, which give developers more control over pricing, promotions, and customer data. A recent FastSpring and Omdia survey supports this trend, revealing that 96 percent of studios either already run or plan to launch their own D2C web stores. Developers cite greater brand visibility, stronger player loyalty, and richer first‑party data as primary motivations for moving away from traditional marketplace reliance.
In contrast, the PC platform is forecast to capture the smallest slice of the market at 21 percent, translating to $45.9 billion in revenue. Growth on PC is expected to slow to 5.3 percent year‑over‑year, down from the 12 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) Newzoo had projected for 2025.
Despite the modest pace, the report notes that PC expansion will be geographically diverse, with notable gains in the Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East‑Africa (MEA) regions. This broad‑based growth reflects increasing broadband penetration and the rising popularity of subscription services and cloud gaming on personal computers. When it comes to monetisation models, premium and mid‑priced releases are expected to continue sustaining full‑game revenue streams. However, microtransactions are poised to reclaim their status as the largest business model overall, driven by the continued popularity of battle passes, cosmetics, and in‑game consumables across all platforms.
The shift suggests that while blockbuster titles will still generate substantial upfront sales, the industry’s long‑term profitability will increasingly hinge on ongoing player spend. Player‑base dynamics also feature prominently in Newzoo’s outlook.
The total number of gamers worldwide is projected to reach 4.07 billion by 2029, growing at a 3.2 percent CAGR after a 4.4 percent rise in 2026. This slowdown indicates that future expansion will rely more on deepening engagement with existing users rather than attracting large numbers of new players. Newzoo emphasizes that the market’s growth trajectory will be dictated by the ability to retain and monetise current audiences, especially as the pool of untapped gamers shrinks. Regional analysis shows that growth is heavily concentrated in emerging markets.
Asia‑Pacific remains the largest region in terms of player count and revenue, while the Middle East and Africa are the fastest‑growing areas, reflecting rising disposable income and improved digital infrastructure. Mobile gaming will dominate player numbers, with an estimated 3.10 billion mobile gamers in 2026—about 84 percent of the total gaming population. PC gamers are expected to number around 977 million (26 percent of all players), and console enthusiasts about 651 million (18 percent).
Penetration rates will inch upward from 61.5 percent to roughly 62 percent in 2026, indicating limited headroom for expanding the base through deeper market saturation. Instead, growth will be driven by the overall online population expanding by 3.5 percent to reach 5.97 billion people. This modest increase in penetration underscores the importance of extracting more value from existing gamers through richer content, live‑service models, and personalised experiences.
In summary, Newzoo’s forecast paints a picture of a maturing industry where revenue growth is increasingly tied to sophisticated monetisation strategies, D2C commerce, and the sustained popularity of flagship releases like Grand Theft Auto VI. While console and PC segments will continue to contribute meaningfully, mobile gaming will dominate both revenue and player count. Developers and publishers that can effectively engage their current audiences, leverage direct sales channels, and adapt to regional growth patterns are likely to thrive in the evolving landscape of the global games market.