According to Newzoo’s latest Global Games Market Report, which will be released in full on September 10, the worldwide video‑game industry is set to expand by roughly 6.1% over the next year, reaching a total valuation of about $213.9 billion. More than half of that consumer spend is expected to come from just two markets—China and the United States—underscoring the continued dominance of these regions in driving revenue growth. When the numbers are broken down by platform, consoles are slated to account for roughly 22% of the total market, translating to $46.9 billion in sales. This represents a modest 5.1% increase over the previous year, reflecting steady demand for next‑generation hardware and flagship titles.
One of the biggest catalysts for that uplift is the anticipated launch of Rockstar Games’ highly awaited Grand Theft Auto VI in November. Newzoo predicts that the new entry in the iconic franchise will lift full‑game spending by an impressive 17.5%, making it the strongest growth driver among all business models tracked by the firm. Mobile gaming remains the heavyweight of the sector, projected to capture the largest slice of the pie at 57% of total revenue, or $121.1 billion. The mobile segment is expected to grow 6.8% year‑on‑year, fueled by higher average spend per player and the rapid expansion of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels.
A recent survey conducted by FastSpring and Omdia revealed that 96% of game studios either already run or plan to launch their own D2C web stores. Developers cite improved brand visibility, stronger player loyalty, and richer access to first‑party data as the primary reasons for this shift toward self‑served storefronts.
The PC platform, by contrast, is forecast to hold the smallest share of the overall market at 21%, equating to $45.9 billion in revenue. Growth on PC is expected to slow to 5.3% year‑on‑year, down from the 12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) that Newzoo had projected for 2025.
Nevertheless, the firm anticipates that PC growth will be geographically diverse, with strong performance in the Asia‑Pacific region, as well as in Latin America and the Middle East‑Africa (MEA) markets. In terms of business models, premium and mid‑priced games are expected to continue sustaining revenue from full‑game purchases. Meanwhile, microtransactions are projected to reclaim their position as the largest source of income across all platforms, driven by the ongoing popularity of in‑game cosmetics, battle passes, and other optional purchases. The report highlights that future market expansion will rely increasingly on retaining and monetising the existing player base rather than on attracting brand‑new gamers.
Player‑base growth is also projected to decelerate. While the total number of gamers is expected to rise by 4.4% in 2026, the compound annual growth rate from 2026 through 2029 is forecast at just 3.2%.
By the end of the forecast horizon, Newzoo estimates the global gaming audience will reach approximately 4.07 billion people. Mobile gamers alone are projected to number 3.10 billion in 2026, representing roughly 84% of all players. PC gamers are expected to hit 977 million (about 26% of the total), and console players are forecast at 651 million, or 18% of the overall audience.
Overall player penetration is anticipated to edge up slightly, from 61.5% of the global online population in 2025 to 62% in 2026. Newzoo notes that there is limited headroom for expanding the base through deeper market saturation; instead, growth will largely stem from the online population itself expanding by an estimated 3.5% to reach 5.97 billion individuals. Geographically, the bulk of the market’s momentum is coming from emerging economies.
The Asia‑Pacific region remains the largest contributor to total revenue, while the Middle East and Africa are the fastest‑growing markets in terms of percentage increase. These regions are benefitting from improving internet infrastructure, rising disposable incomes, and a growing cultural acceptance of gaming as mainstream entertainment. The report also underscores the strategic importance of D2C channels.
By operating their own storefronts, developers can bypass traditional platform fees, gather richer data on player behaviour, and build stronger brand relationships. This trend is expected to continue accelerating, especially as more studios seek to diversify revenue streams beyond the dominant models of console licensing and app‑store commissions. In summary, Newzoo’s outlook paints a picture of a maturing yet still expanding global games market. While overall revenue is set to climb to $213.9 billion in 2026, the composition of that growth is shifting: mobile remains the dominant force, consoles benefit from marquee releases like Grand Theft Auto VI, and PC growth is becoming more regionally balanced.
At the same time, the industry is moving toward a model that prioritises deepening engagement with existing players, leveraging D2C platforms, and extracting greater value from microtransaction‑driven ecosystems.