According to Newzoo’s latest Global Games Market Report, the worldwide video‑game sector is set to expand by roughly 6.1 percent in 2026, pushing total revenues to an estimated $213.9 billion. More than half of that spending will be generated by consumers in just two markets—China and the United States—underscoring the continued dominance of these economies in the digital entertainment landscape. The full report, scheduled for release on September 10, breaks down the forecast by platform, business model, and geographic region.
Console games are expected to contribute $46.9 billion, representing about 22 percent of the total market and marking a 5.1 percent year‑on‑year increase. A key driver of that uplift is the highly anticipated November launch of Grand Theft Auto VI, which Newzoo predicts will lift full‑game spending by an impressive 17.5 percent. The firm describes this surge as the strongest growth among all business models for the year, reflecting the franchise’s enduring appeal and the willingness of players to invest in premium, narrative‑driven experiences. Mobile gaming remains the largest segment, accounting for roughly 57 percent of global revenue and reaching $121.1 billion in 2026.
This growth of 6.8 percent over the previous year is fueled by two complementary trends: higher average spend per mobile player and the rapid expansion of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels. Recent research from FastSpring and Omdia shows that 96 percent of development studios either already operate or plan to launch their own D2C web stores. Studios cite improved brand visibility, stronger player loyalty, and richer first‑party data as primary motivations for moving away from third‑party marketplaces. In contrast, the PC platform is projected to hold the smallest share of the market at 21 percent, translating to $45.9 billion in revenue.
While still growing—Newzoo estimates a 5.3 percent year‑over‑year increase—the pace is slower than the 12 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) forecast for 2025. The slowdown reflects a maturing ecosystem where high‑spending players are increasingly concentrated on mobile and console experiences, though PC growth is expected to be geographically diverse, with notable gains in the Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East‑Africa (MEA) regions. When it comes to business models, premium and mid‑priced titles are expected to continue sustaining full‑game revenue streams, especially on consoles and high‑end PCs. Meanwhile, microtransactions are projected to reclaim the position of the largest revenue generator across all platforms, driven by the ongoing popularity of live‑service games and the monetisation of cosmetic items, battle passes, and other in‑game purchases.
Player‑base dynamics also feature prominently in Newzoo’s outlook. The total number of gamers worldwide 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 modest deceleration suggests that future expansion will rely more on deepening engagement with existing players rather than attracting large numbers of new users. Newzoo notes that market growth will increasingly hinge on retaining current audiences and extracting additional value from them, a shift that mirrors broader trends in digital media and subscription services.
Geographically, growth is concentrated in emerging markets. The Asia‑Pacific region remains the largest contributor to overall revenue, while the Middle East and Africa are experiencing the fastest expansion rates. Mobile gamers are projected to number 3.10 billion in 2026, representing roughly 84 percent of the global player base.
PC gamers are expected to total 977 million (about 26 percent), and console players are projected at 651 million, or 18 percent of all gamers. Penetration rates—defined as the proportion of the global online population that plays games—are slated to inch upward from 61.5 percent to 62 percent in 2026. Newzoo emphasizes that there is limited headroom for dramatic increases in penetration; instead, growth will be driven by the overall expansion of the online population, which is estimated to rise by 3.5 percent to 5.97 billion users. In summary, the 2026 outlook paints a picture of a robust yet increasingly mature gaming market.
While console and premium full‑game sales receive a boost from flagship releases like Grand Theft Auto VI, mobile continues to dominate revenue share and player count. The rise of D2C storefronts signals a strategic shift toward greater control over distribution and data, and the industry’s future will likely be defined by how effectively developers can retain and monetise their existing audiences across diverse platforms and regions.