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 that consumer spend will continue to be driven by two of the largest gaming markets on the planet – China and the United States – underscoring the continued importance of these regions for developers, publishers, and platform owners. The figures come 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 geographic region, offering a detailed look at where growth is expected to originate and what trends will shape the industry over the next few years.
**Console segment** Console revenue is projected to represent about 22 percent of the total market, amounting to $46.9 billion – an increase of 5.1 percent from the previous year. A major catalyst for this uplift is the highly anticipated release of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto VI in November 2026. Newzoo estimates that the launch will lift full‑game spending by 17.5 percent, labeling it the strongest growth among all business models in the forecast period. The excitement surrounding the new title is expected to spill over into related hardware sales, aftermarket accessories, and ancillary content, further bolstering the console ecosystem.
**Mobile dominance** Mobile gaming will retain its position as the largest platform by a comfortable margin, accounting for 57 percent of total industry revenue and reaching $121.1 billion. This 6.8 percent year‑on‑year rise is driven by two complementary forces: higher average spend per player and the continued maturation of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels. Mobile developers are increasingly bypassing traditional app‑store intermediaries, instead selling games and in‑app purchases through their own storefronts.
This shift not only improves margins but also grants publishers richer first‑party data, enabling more precise targeting and personalized experiences. A recent joint survey by FastSpring and Omdia found that 96 percent of game studios either already operate a D2C web store or have concrete plans to launch one. The motivations cited include stronger brand visibility, deeper player loyalty, and the ability to capture valuable customer insights that are otherwise obscured by platform gatekeepers. **PC outlook** The personal‑computer segment is expected to hold the smallest slice of the market at 21 percent, translating to $45.9 billion in revenue.
While still growing – Newzoo forecasts a 5.3 percent increase year over year – the pace is slower than the 12 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) projected for 2025. The slowdown reflects a maturing market and heightened competition from mobile and console titles, but growth is expected to be geographically diverse, with strong contributions from the Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East‑Africa (MEA) regions.
**Business‑model dynamics** Premium and mid‑priced releases are slated to continue sustaining revenue from full‑game purchases, especially as flagship titles like Grand Theft Auto VI hit the market. At the same time, microtransactions – small, in‑game purchases that unlock cosmetic items, gameplay boosts, or additional content – are predicted to reclaim their status as the largest business model overall.
This resurgence is tied to the increasing sophistication of live‑service ecosystems, where developers keep players engaged for longer periods through regular content updates and seasonal events. **Player base trends** The total number of gamers worldwide is expected 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.
Newzoo notes that future expansion will rely more on retaining and monetising existing players rather than simply adding new ones to the ecosystem. This shift reflects the limited headroom for deeper market penetration – player penetration is projected to inch up from 61.5 percent to 62 percent in 2026 – and highlights the importance of enhancing player lifetime value through ongoing engagement strategies. **Regional growth hotspots** Emerging markets will continue to be the primary engine of growth.
The Asia‑Pacific region remains the largest contributor, while the Middle East and Africa are expanding at the fastest rate. Mobile gamers alone are forecast to number 3.10 billion in 2026, representing roughly 84 percent of the total player base. PC gamers are expected to total 977 million (about 26 percent), and console players will number around 651 million (approximately 18 percent). **Implications for the industry** The data suggests that developers and publishers must sharpen their focus on player retention, data‑driven personalization, and diversified revenue streams.
As the market matures, the competitive edge will increasingly come from how effectively companies can nurture existing communities, leverage D2C channels, and deliver compelling, regularly refreshed content. Those that adapt to these dynamics are likely to capture a larger share of the projected $213.9 billion market in 2026 and beyond.