According to Newzoo’s latest Global Games Market Report, the worldwide video‑game sector is slated to expand by 6.1% in 2026, pushing total revenues to an estimated $213.9 billion. More than half of this consumer spend will continue to come from the two largest markets—China and the United States—underscoring the persistent dominance of these regions in the industry. The full report, which will be released on September 10, breaks down the forecast by platform, business model, and geography, offering a detailed view of where growth is expected to originate.
Console sales, for instance, are projected to account for roughly 22% of the total market value, translating to $46.9 billion in revenue. This represents a 5.1% year‑over‑year increase for the console segment and reflects steady demand for next‑generation hardware and high‑profile releases.
One of the most significant catalysts highlighted in the analysis is the anticipated November launch of Grand Theft Auto VI. Newzoo predicts that the title will drive a 17.5% surge in full‑game spending, making it the strongest growth driver among all business models for the year. The company describes this spike as the "strongest growth of any business model," indicating that premium, full‑price releases will continue to play a vital role in the market’s revenue mix.
Mobile gaming remains the largest platform by a comfortable margin, expected to capture 57% of total spend and generate $121.1 billion. This 6.8% increase over the previous year is fueled by higher average spend per player and the expanding influence of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels.
A recent FastSpring and Omdia survey revealed that 96% of game studios either already operate or plan to launch a D2C storefront. Developers cite benefits such as stronger brand visibility, deeper customer loyalty, and richer first‑party data as key motivators for this shift. In contrast, the PC segment is forecast to hold the smallest share of the market at 21%, equating to $45.9 billion.
While still growing—at an estimated 5.3% year‑over‑year—PC revenue is expected to decelerate compared with the 12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) projected for 2025. Newzoo attributes this slowdown to market saturation in mature regions and a pivot toward other platforms, though growth is expected to be geographically broad, led by emerging markets in Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa (MEA). When it comes to business models, premium and mid‑priced titles are expected to sustain full‑game revenue streams, while microtransactions are projected to reclaim their position as the largest source of income across all platforms. This shift suggests that while blockbuster releases will continue to generate substantial upfront sales, the industry’s overall health will increasingly rely on recurring monetisation mechanisms such as in‑game purchases, battle passes, and subscription services.
Player numbers are also a focal point of the forecast. Newzoo estimates the global gaming audience will reach 4.07 billion by 2029, growing at a 3.2% CAGR after a 4.4% rise in 2026. The company notes that future expansion will hinge more on retaining and monetising existing players rather than attracting new ones, given the limited headroom for deeper market penetration.
Player penetration is projected to edge up from 61.5% to 62% in 2026, reflecting an online population increase of 3.5% to roughly 5.97 billion people. Regional dynamics reveal that growth is concentrating in emerging markets. Asia‑Pacific remains the largest region by player count, while the Middle East and Africa are expanding at the fastest rate.
Mobile gamers are expected to number 3.10 billion in 2026, representing about 84% of the total player base. PC gamers will total approximately 977 million (26% of all players), and console enthusiasts are projected to reach 651 million (18%). These figures illustrate the continued diversification of the gaming audience across devices and geographies.
In summary, Newzoo’s outlook paints a picture of a maturing yet still expanding industry. Revenue growth will be driven by a combination of high‑profile console releases, sustained mobile spending, and the resurgence of microtransaction‑based monetisation. At the same time, developers and publishers will need to focus on deepening engagement with existing users, leveraging D2C channels, and tapping into fast‑growing markets outside the traditional strongholds of North America, Europe, and East Asia. The coming years will likely see a more balanced ecosystem where premium titles, live‑service models, and platform‑specific strategies coexist to fuel the $213.9 billion market target for 2026.