According to Newzoo’s latest Global Games Market Report, the worldwide video‑game sector is set to expand by 6.1 percent in 2026, pushing total revenues to roughly $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 the industry.
The full report, scheduled for public release on 10 September, breaks down the forecast by platform and business model, revealing several notable trends that will shape the market over the next few years. Console gaming is projected to generate $46.9 billion, representing 22 percent of the total market and marking a 5.1 percent year‑over‑year increase. A key driver of this uplift is the highly anticipated November launch of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto VI.
Newzoo estimates that the new title will boost full‑game spending by 17.5 percent, making it the strongest growth catalyst among all existing business models. Mobile gaming remains the largest slice of the pie, accounting for 57 percent of global revenue and reaching an estimated $121.1 billion. This segment is growing at a 6.8 percent annual rate, 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 highlighted that 96 percent of game studios either already operate or plan to launch their own D2C storefronts.
Developers cite improved brand visibility, stronger player loyalty, and richer first‑party data as primary motivations for moving away from traditional platform‑gatekeeper models. In contrast, the PC segment is expected to capture the smallest share of total revenue—about 21 percent, or $45.9 billion. While still growing, the PC market’s year‑over‑year increase is forecast at 5.3 percent, a slowdown from the 12 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) that Newzoo projected for 2025.
The firm attributes the deceleration to market saturation in mature regions and a shift in consumer spending toward mobile and console experiences. Nevertheless, growth on PC is expected to be geographically diverse, with the strongest gains coming from emerging markets in Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East‑Africa (MEA) region. When it comes to business models, premium and mid‑priced full‑game releases are anticipated to continue sustaining revenue streams, while microtransactions are poised to reclaim the top spot as the most lucrative model overall.
This resurgence is linked to the increasing sophistication of in‑game economies and the broader adoption of live‑service approaches that keep players engaged—and spending—over longer periods. Player population dynamics also feature prominently in Newzoo’s outlook.
The total number of gamers worldwide is projected to rise to 4.07 billion by 2029, representing a compound annual growth rate of 3.2 percent after a 4.4 percent increase in 2026. However, the pace of new player acquisition is expected to slow, prompting industry analysts to emphasize the importance of retaining and monetising existing audiences rather than relying on fresh user growth. Regional growth patterns reinforce this narrative.
Emerging markets, particularly within the Asia‑Pacific corridor, will continue to drive the bulk of revenue expansion, while the Middle East and Africa are forecast to be the fastest‑growing regions in terms of player base. Mobile gamers alone are estimated to number 3.10 billion in 2026, making up 84 percent of the total gaming population. PC gamers are expected to reach 977 million (about 26 percent), and console enthusiasts will number roughly 651 million, or 18 percent of all players. Penetration rates—defined as the proportion of the global online population that plays games—are projected to inch upward from 61.5 percent to 62 percent in 2026.
Newzoo notes that this modest rise reflects limited headroom for expanding the base through deeper market penetration; instead, growth will largely stem from the overall online population expanding by an estimated 3.5 percent to reach 5.97 billion users. In summary, the 2026 gaming landscape will be characterized by a modest yet steady revenue increase, a continued shift toward mobile dominance, and a heightened focus on D2C strategies and microtransaction monetisation.
The launch of blockbuster titles such as Grand Theft Auto VI will act as a catalyst for short‑term spikes in full‑game spending, but long‑term success will hinge on studios’ ability to nurture existing player communities, leverage first‑party data, and adapt to the evolving preferences of gamers across diverse regions.