According to Newzoo’s latest Global Games Market Report, the worldwide video‑game industry is on track to expand by 6.1 percent in 2026, pushing total revenues to roughly $213.9 billion. More than half of this spending will be concentrated in just two markets—China and the United States—underscoring the dominant role these economies play in shaping global gaming trends. The full report, slated for release on September 10, breaks down the forecast by platform, business model, and regional dynamics.
Console hardware and software sales are expected to account for 22 percent of the total market, translating to $46.9 billion in revenue. This represents a modest 5.1 percent year‑over‑year increase, reflecting steady demand for next‑generation titles and the continued relevance of premium console experiences.
A major driver behind the projected uplift in full‑game sales is the highly anticipated November launch of Grand Theft Auto VI. Newzoo predicts that the new installment will lift full‑game spending by an impressive 17.5 percent, marking the strongest growth rate among all business models in the sector. The franchise’s massive fan base, combined with Rockstar’s reputation for delivering expansive, story‑driven worlds, is expected to generate a surge in purchases both at launch and throughout the year. Mobile gaming remains the largest slice of the pie, forecast to capture 57 percent of global revenues—about $121.1 billion.
This segment is set to grow 6.8 percent year‑over‑year, buoyed by higher average spend per user and the rapid expansion of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels. Mobile developers are increasingly leveraging their own storefronts and subscription services, allowing them to retain a larger share of the revenue and build stronger relationships with players.
A recent joint survey by FastSpring and Omdia highlighted that 96 percent of game studios either already operate or plan to launch a D2C web store. Studios cite several advantages: heightened brand visibility, deeper customer loyalty, and direct access to first‑party data that can inform future product decisions and marketing strategies. This shift toward D2C is reshaping the economics of mobile gaming, reducing reliance on third‑party app stores and their associated fees.
In contrast, the PC platform is projected to hold the smallest market share at 21 percent, equating 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) that Newzoo had forecast for 2025.
Nevertheless, the PC segment is anticipated to experience geographically broad expansion, with particularly strong gains in the Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa (MEA) regions. When it comes to business models, premium and mid‑priced full‑game releases are expected to continue sustaining revenue streams, while microtransactions are projected to reclaim the top spot as the most lucrative model overall.
The resurgence of microtransactions reflects ongoing consumer willingness to spend on cosmetic items, battle passes, and other in‑game enhancements, especially in live‑service titles that receive regular content updates. Player numbers are also a key focus of Newzoo’s outlook. The total global player base is forecast 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 slowdown suggests that future growth will rely more on retaining and monetising existing gamers rather than simply adding new users. Newzoo notes that the market is approaching saturation in many mature regions, leaving emerging markets as the primary source of new player acquisition. Regional analysis shows that growth is increasingly concentrated in emerging economies.
The Asia‑Pacific region remains the largest market by revenue, while the Middle East and Africa are expanding at the fastest pace. Mobile gaming is the primary engine of this expansion, with an estimated 3.10 billion mobile gamers in 2026—accounting for 84 percent of the total player population. PC gamers are projected to number 977 million (about 26 percent of all players), and console gamers are expected to reach 651 million (approximately 18 percent).
Overall player penetration is slated to rise slightly from 61.5 percent to 62 percent in 2026. However, Newzoo cautions that there is limited room for growth through deeper market penetration alone; instead, the modest increase reflects a broader online population that is projected to expand by 3.5 percent to 5.97 billion people worldwide. In this environment, developers and publishers will need to focus on innovative monetisation strategies, personalised experiences, and community‑building initiatives to maximise revenue from the existing audience. In summary, Newzoo’s 2026 forecast paints a picture of a maturing yet still vibrant gaming ecosystem.
While console and PC segments grow at modest rates, mobile continues to dominate both revenue and player counts. The launch of blockbuster titles such as Grand Theft Auto VI, the rise of D2C storefronts, and the resurgence of microtransaction‑driven models are set to shape the industry’s trajectory over the next several years. Stakeholders who can adeptly navigate these trends—balancing new player acquisition with deepening engagement of current users—will be best positioned to capture a share of the projected $213.9 billion market.