According to Newzoo’s latest outlook, the worldwide video‑game market is set to expand by 6.1 percent in 2026, pushing total revenues to roughly $213.9 billion. More than half of this spending is expected to come from two powerhouses – China and the United States – underscoring the continued dominance of these economies in the digital entertainment space. The figures stem from Newzoo’s Global Games Market Report, which will be released in full on 10 September. The report breaks down the forecast by platform, business model, and regional trends, offering a detailed picture of where growth is likely to originate.
**Console segment** Newzoo predicts that console sales will account for about 22 percent of the total market, translating to $46.9 billion in revenue – a rise of 5.1 percent over the previous year. A major driver of this uptick is the highly anticipated release of Rockstar Games’ next‑generation title, Grand Theft Auto VI, slated for a November launch. The company expects the new entry in the franchise to boost full‑game spending by an estimated 17.5 percent, which Newzoo describes as the strongest growth among all business models for the year. **Mobile gaming** Mobile devices will continue to dominate the landscape, capturing the largest share at 57 percent and generating $121.1 billion in sales.
This segment is projected to grow 6.8 percent year‑on‑year, propelled 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 percent of game studios either already run or plan to launch their own D2C storefronts.
Studios cite benefits such as stronger brand visibility, deeper customer loyalty, and richer first‑party data as key incentives for moving away from third‑party marketplaces. **PC gaming** The personal‑computer market is expected to hold the smallest slice of the pie at 21 percent, equating to $45.9 billion.
Growth on this platform is forecast at 5.3 percent year‑over‑year, a slowdown compared with the 12 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) projected for 2025. Despite the slower pace, Newzoo anticipates PC growth to be geographically diverse, with notable expansion in the Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East‑Africa (MEA) regions.
**Business‑model outlook** Premium and mid‑tier titles are expected to keep sustaining full‑game revenue streams, while microtransaction‑driven models are likely to reclaim their position as the largest source of income across all platforms. The report highlights that the industry’s future will rely increasingly on retaining and monetising existing players rather than solely focusing on acquiring new ones.
**Player base trends** The global gamer population is projected to reach 4.07 billion by 2029, growing at a 3.2 percent CAGR after a 4.4 percent increase in 2026. Player penetration is expected to edge up slightly from 61.5 percent to 62 percent in 2026, indicating limited room for expanding the base through deeper market saturation.
Instead, growth will be driven by the overall online population expanding by about 3.5 percent to reach 5.97 billion users. **Regional dynamics** Emerging markets will continue to be the engine of growth, with the Asia‑Pacific region remaining the largest contributor. The Middle East and Africa are projected to be the fastest‑growing areas, reflecting rising internet penetration and increasing disposable income in those locales.
Mobile gamers are expected to number 3.10 billion in 2026, representing roughly 84 percent of all players. PC gamers will number about 977 million (26 percent), while console enthusiasts are forecast to reach 651 million (18 percent).
**Implications for developers and publishers** The data suggests that studios should prioritize strategies that deepen engagement with their current audiences. Investing in D2C platforms, enhancing in‑game economies, and delivering high‑quality premium experiences appear to be the most promising avenues for sustaining revenue growth. Moreover, the strong projected impact of Grand Theft Auto VI underscores the continued relevance of blockbuster, narrative‑driven titles in driving overall market health. In summary, Newzoo’s outlook paints a picture of a maturing industry where incremental growth is achieved through higher per‑player spend, diversified platform performance, and strategic focus on audience retention.
While the overall market size is set to surpass the $200 billion mark, the path forward will be shaped by regional expansion, evolving business models, and the ability of developers to adapt to an increasingly data‑driven, consumer‑centric ecosystem.