According to the latest projections from market‑research firm Newzoo, the worldwide video‑game industry is set to expand by 6.1 percent in 2026, reaching a total value of 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 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 geographic region, offering a detailed picture of where growth is likely to originate and what forces will drive it. **Console segment** Console revenue is projected to account for about 22 percent of the total market, amounting to $46.9 billion. This represents a 5.1 percent increase over the previous year.
A major catalyst for this uplift is the highly anticipated November release of Rockstar Games’ next‑generation title, Grand Theft Auto VI. Newzoo estimates that the launch will boost full‑game spending across all platforms by 17.5 percent, making it the strongest growth driver among any business model in the industry for the year.
**Mobile dominance** Mobile gaming continues to cement its position as the largest platform, expected to capture 57 percent of global revenue and generate $121.1 billion. The sector’s growth rate of 6.8 percent year‑over‑year is being fueled by two key dynamics: higher average spend per player and the rapid expansion of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels. Recent research from FastSpring and Omdia shows that 96 percent of game studios either already run or plan to launch their own D2C web stores.
Studios cite benefits such as stronger brand visibility, deeper customer loyalty, and richer first‑party data that can be leveraged for more effective monetisation. **PC outlook** The personal‑computer segment is forecast to hold the smallest share of the market at 21 percent, translating to $45.9 billion in revenue.
While still growing—at an estimated 5.3 percent year‑over‑year—PC growth is expected to decelerate compared with the 12 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) projected for 2025. Newzoo attributes the slowdown to a maturing market and increasing competition from mobile and console titles. Nonetheless, PC growth is expected to be geographically broad, with the Asia‑Pacific region, Latin America, and the Middle East‑Africa (MEA) area leading the charge. **Business‑model trends** Premium and mid‑priced games are anticipated to continue sustaining full‑game revenue streams, while microtransactions are projected to reclaim their status as the largest business model overall.
This shift reflects a broader industry movement toward hybrid monetisation strategies that blend upfront purchases with ongoing in‑game spend. **Player base dynamics** The total number of gamers worldwide is forecast to rise to 4.07 billion by 2029, representing a compound annual growth rate of 3.2 percent after a 4.4 percent increase in 2026.
However, Newzoo warns that future expansion will rely increasingly on retaining and monetising existing players rather than simply adding new ones to the ecosystem. Player penetration is expected to edge up slightly from 61.5 percent to 62 percent in 2026, indicating limited headroom for deeper market saturation. Instead, growth will come from the overall online population expanding by roughly 3.5 percent to 5.97 billion users. **Regional insights** Emerging markets are driving the bulk of the industry’s growth, with the Asia‑Pacific region remaining the largest contributor.
The Middle East and Africa are expanding at the fastest rate, highlighting the increasing accessibility of affordable smartphones and improved internet infrastructure in those areas. Mobile gamers alone are projected to number 3.10 billion in 2026, accounting for 84 percent of the total player base.
In contrast, PC gamers are expected to reach 977 million (about 26 percent of all gamers), while console players are forecast at 651 million, representing roughly 18 percent. **Implications for developers and publishers** The data suggests that studios should prioritize strategies that enhance player lifetime value, such as robust D2C storefronts, personalised content updates, and community‑building initiatives. The strong anticipated impact of Grand Theft Auto VI also underscores the continued relevance of blockbuster, narrative‑driven titles in driving headline revenue spikes. **Conclusion** Overall, Newzoo’s outlook paints a picture of a maturing yet still expanding gaming market, with mobile leading the charge, consoles benefitting from marquee releases, and PC maintaining a steady, geographically diverse presence.
As the industry moves forward, success will increasingly hinge on deepening relationships with existing players, leveraging data‑driven insights, and adapting monetisation models to meet evolving consumer expectations.