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 all consumer spending in this sector is expected to come from just two countries—China and the United States—underscoring the continued dominance of these two massive markets.
The figures are drawn from Newzoo’s Global Games Market Report, which will be released in full on September 10. The report breaks down the forecast by platform, region, and business model, offering a detailed picture of where growth will be strongest and what trends are shaping the industry’s future.
**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 key driver of this uplift is the highly anticipated November release of Rockstar Games’ next‑generation title, Grand Theft Auto VI.
Newzoo estimates that the launch will lift full‑game spending by an impressive 17.5 percent, making it the most robust growth among all business models tracked in the report. The surge in console sales and associated software purchases is expected to reinforce the platform’s relevance even as mobile and PC continue to dominate overall revenue. **Mobile dominance** Mobile gaming remains the largest slice of the pie, projected to capture 57 percent of global gaming revenue, or $121.1 billion. This 6.8 percent year‑on‑year rise is fueled by higher average spend per player and the rapid expansion of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels.
Mobile developers are increasingly leveraging their own storefronts and subscription services, allowing them to retain a larger share of the revenue and build stronger relationships with players. A recent survey conducted by FastSpring and Omdia revealed that 96 percent of game studios either already operate or plan to launch a D2C web store. Studios cite several benefits: greater brand visibility, heightened customer loyalty, and, perhaps most importantly, direct access to first‑party data that can inform future product decisions and marketing strategies. **PC market outlook** The PC segment is expected to hold the smallest market share at 21 percent, translating to $45.9 billion in revenue.
Growth on this platform is forecast at 5.3 percent year‑over‑year, a slowdown from the 12 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) that Newzoo had projected for 2025. Despite the slower pace, PC gaming is anticipated to benefit from a geographically diverse expansion, with particularly strong gains in the Asia‑Pacific region, Latin America, and the Middle East‑Africa (MEA) markets. Premium and mid‑priced titles are expected to continue sustaining full‑game revenue streams, while microtransactions are projected to reclaim their position as the largest business model across all platforms. This shift reflects a broader industry trend toward hybrid monetisation strategies that combine upfront purchases with ongoing in‑game spending.
**Player base dynamics** Overall player growth is predicted to decelerate in the coming years. While the number of gamers is expected to rise by 4.4 percent in 2026, the compound annual growth rate from 2026 through 2029 is projected to settle at 3.2 percent. By the end of the forecast horizon, the global player base should reach approximately 4.07 billion individuals. Newzoo cautions that future market expansion will rely increasingly on retaining and monetising existing players rather than simply adding new ones.
This insight highlights the importance of engagement, lifecycle management, and the development of compelling content that keeps gamers active over longer periods. **Regional distribution** Growth is currently concentrated in emerging markets, with the Asia‑Pacific region remaining the largest contributor to total revenue. The Middle East and Africa are expanding at the fastest pace, reflecting rising internet penetration, improving mobile infrastructure, and a growing appetite for digital entertainment.
In terms of player numbers, mobile gamers are estimated to reach 3.10 billion in 2026, representing roughly 84 percent of the total gaming population. PC gamers are forecast to number 977 million (about 26 percent), while console players are expected to total 651 million (approximately 18 percent).
**Penetration and saturation** Player penetration—the proportion of the global online population that engages in gaming—is projected to edge up slightly from 61.5 percent to 62 percent in 2026. Newzoo notes that there is limited room for growth through deeper market penetration; instead, the modest increase will mainly stem from the overall online population expanding by an estimated 3.5 percent to reach 5.97 billion people.
**Implications for developers and publishers** The data suggest that studios should focus on several strategic priorities. First, leveraging the strong launch window of blockbuster titles like Grand Theft Auto VI can deliver a significant short‑term revenue boost, especially for console manufacturers and retailers. Second, investing in D2C capabilities—such as proprietary storefronts, subscription models, and direct marketing—can enhance brand equity and provide valuable data insights. Third, diversifying monetisation approaches by blending premium pricing with microtransaction options can capture a broader audience and increase lifetime value.
Finally, as growth shifts toward emerging regions, localisation, culturally relevant content, and region‑specific pricing strategies will become increasingly important for capturing new users and sustaining long‑term engagement. In summary, Newzoo’s forecast paints a picture of a maturing yet still expanding global gaming market, driven by flagship releases, mobile dominance, and a strategic pivot toward deeper monetisation of existing players across a geographically diverse landscape.