According to Newzoo’s latest Global Games Market Report, which will be released in full on September 10, the worldwide video‑game market is set to expand by 6.1 percent over the next year, reaching a total value of roughly $213.9 billion. More than half of this consumer expenditure is expected to come from two powerhouse economies—China and the United States—underscoring the continued dominance of these regions in driving overall industry revenue.
When the figures are broken down by platform, consoles are forecast to account for about 22 percent of the total market, translating to $46.9 billion in sales. This represents a modest 5.1 percent increase from the previous year, reflecting steady demand for high‑end hardware and premium titles.
A key catalyst for this growth is the highly anticipated release of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto VI, slated for November. Newzoo predicts the new entry in the flagship franchise will lift full‑game spending by an impressive 17.5 percent, making it the strongest growth driver among all business models in the sector. Mobile gaming remains the dominant force, projected to capture the largest slice of the pie at 57 percent, or $121.1 billion in revenue.
The mobile segment’s year‑over‑year rise of 6.8 percent is being fueled by two complementary trends: 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 percent of game studios either already operate or intend to launch their own D2C web stores.
Developers cite improved brand visibility, stronger player loyalty, and direct access to first‑party customer data as the primary motivations for this shift, all of which contribute to the upward trajectory of mobile revenues. In contrast, the PC platform is expected to hold the smallest market share at 21 percent, equating to $45.9 billion. While still growing—at a projected 5.3 percent year‑over‑year—PC growth is slowing relative to its historic compound annual growth rate of 12 percent that Newzoo had projected for 2025.
The slowdown reflects a maturing market and the increasing importance of other platforms, yet PC remains a vital ecosystem for premium and mid‑priced releases, which Newzoo expects to continue sustaining full‑game revenue streams. Microtransactions, long a staple of mobile and free‑to‑play models, are forecast to reclaim the title of the largest business model across the industry. This resurgence is driven by the ongoing popularity of in‑game purchases, season passes, and cosmetic items, which together generate a steady flow of recurring revenue. At the same time, premium titles—especially those released on consoles and PC—are expected to maintain a solid contribution to overall earnings, balancing the ecosystem between high‑ticket sales and smaller, repeat purchases.
Geographically, growth is becoming increasingly broad‑based. While Asia‑Pacific continues to be the biggest region in terms of sheer player numbers, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America are emerging as the fastest‑growing markets.
Newzoo predicts that player growth will decelerate from a 4.4 percent year‑over‑year increase in 2026 to a 3.2 percent compound annual growth rate through 2029. By the end of that period, the global player base is projected to reach approximately 4.07 billion individuals. The report emphasizes that future expansion will rely more on retaining and monetising existing gamers rather than simply attracting new ones.
As the market matures, studios are expected to focus on deepening engagement with current audiences, leveraging data‑driven insights from D2C platforms to personalise experiences and extend player lifetimes. In terms of player demographics, mobile gamers are estimated to number 3.10 billion in 2026, representing about 84 percent of the total gaming population.
PC gamers are projected to reach 977 million (roughly 26 percent), while console enthusiasts are expected to number 651 million, accounting for 18 percent of all players. Overall player penetration is anticipated to edge up slightly from 61.5 percent to 62 percent in 2026. However, Newzoo notes that there is limited headroom for further penetration; most growth will stem from the online population itself expanding by approximately 3.5 percent to reach 5.97 billion people worldwide. In summary, the 2026 outlook paints a picture of a robust yet evolving gaming landscape.
Console revenues will benefit from marquee releases like Grand Theft Auto VI, mobile will continue to dominate in both revenue and player count, and PC will retain its niche for premium experiences. The industry’s future will hinge on strategic D2C initiatives, sophisticated monetisation of existing users, and the ability to tap into emerging regions where gaming adoption is still on the rise.