Newzoo Forecasts Global Gaming Industry to Reach $213.9 Billion in 2026, Up 6.1% Year‑Over‑Year

According to the latest outlook from market‑research firm Newzoo, the worldwide video‑game sector is set to expand by 6.1 percent in 2026, pushing total revenue to roughly $213.9 billion. More than half of that spending is expected to come from two of the world’s biggest consumer bases—China and the United States—underscoring the continued dominance of these markets in shaping global gaming trends. The figures stem from Newzoo’s Global Games Market Report, which will be released in full on 10 September. The report breaks down the forecast by platform, business model, and regional dynamics, offering a detailed picture of where growth will be strongest and what factors are driving it.

**Console segment** Console sales are projected to represent about 22 percent of the total market, amounting to $46.9 billion—a 5.1 percent rise from the previous year. A key catalyst for this uplift is the highly anticipated November debut of Rockstar Games’ flagship title, Grand Theft Auto VI. Newzoo predicts that the new installment will boost full‑game spending by an impressive 17.5 percent, making it the most vigorous growth driver among all business models in the industry. The heightened interest in premium console experiences is also expected to reinforce brand loyalty and encourage higher per‑player spend.

**Mobile gaming** Mobile remains the heavyweight of the ecosystem, slated to capture 57 percent of global revenue and generate $121.1 billion in 2026. This segment is projected to grow 6.8 percent year‑over‑year, propelled by two interrelated forces: an increase in average player spend and the rapid expansion of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels.

A recent joint survey by FastSpring and Omdia revealed that 96 percent of game studios either already run or intend to launch their own D2C web stores. Developers cite enhanced brand visibility, stronger player loyalty, and direct access to first‑party data as primary motivations for this shift, all of which contribute to higher monetisation efficiency. **PC gaming** The PC arena is forecast to hold the smallest slice of the market at 21 percent, translating to $45.9 billion.

Growth on this platform is expected to be modest—5.3 percent year‑over‑year—significantly slower than the 12 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) Newzoo had projected for 2025. Nevertheless, the report highlights that PC growth will be geographically broad, with notable expansion in the Asia‑Pacific region, Latin America, and the Middle East‑Africa (MEA) markets. These areas are seeing rising broadband penetration and increasing consumer willingness to invest in high‑quality gaming experiences. **Business‑model outlook** Premium and mid‑tier titles are anticipated to keep sustaining revenue from full‑game purchases, while microtransactions are set to reclaim the top spot as the most lucrative business model overall.

This shift reflects a maturing market where players are comfortable spending on in‑game items, cosmetics, and season passes, especially when these purchases enhance, rather than gate‑keep, core gameplay. **Player base trends** The global player population is expected to grow more slowly after 2026. In that year, the number of gamers will increase by 4.4 percent year‑over‑year, but the CAGR from 2026 through 2029 is projected to settle at 3.2 percent, reaching a total of approximately 4.07 billion players. Newzoo notes that future expansion will rely increasingly on retaining and monetising existing users rather than on acquiring new ones, a sentiment echoed throughout the industry as markets become saturated.

**Regional dynamics** Growth continues to be concentrated in emerging economies. The Asia‑Pacific region remains the largest contributor to overall market expansion, while the Middle East and Africa are the fastest‑growing zones, driven by rising disposable incomes and improved digital infrastructure. Mobile gaming will dominate player counts, with an estimated 3.10 billion mobile gamers in 2026—about 84 percent of the total audience. PC gamers are projected to number 977 million (roughly 26 percent), and console players about 651 million (approximately 18 percent).

**Penetration and outlook** Player penetration is slated to edge up slightly from 61.5 percent to 62 percent in 2026. However, Newzoo cautions that there is limited headroom for dramatic gains through deeper market penetration; instead, growth will largely stem from the overall online population expanding by an estimated 3.5 percent to reach 5.97 billion people worldwide. In summary, the 2026 gaming landscape will be characterised by steady revenue growth, a pronounced shift toward mobile dominance, and a reliance on established titles—most notably Grand Theft Auto VI—to drive spikes in full‑game spending. Studios are increasingly turning to D2C storefronts to capture more value, while regional expansion in emerging markets continues to offset slower growth in mature territories.

The industry’s future success will hinge on how effectively developers can keep existing players engaged and monetised, as the pool of new gamers begins to plateau.