According to Newzoo’s upcoming Global Games Market Report, slated for full release on September 10, the worldwide video‑game industry is set to expand by 6.1 percent over the next year, pushing total revenues to an estimated $213.9 billion. More than half of that spending will continue to be driven by two powerhouse markets—China and the United States—underscoring the continued dominance of these regions in the digital entertainment landscape.
When the numbers are broken down by platform, consoles are projected to account for roughly 22 percent of the total market, translating to about $46.9 billion in sales. This represents a modest 5.1 percent year‑on‑year increase, reflecting steady demand for next‑generation hardware and flagship titles.
A key catalyst for this uplift is the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto VI in November. Newzoo predicts that the new installment 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 heavyweight champion of platform share, expected to capture 57 percent of global revenues—approximately $121.1 billion. The mobile segment’s growth rate of 6.8 percent YoY is being fueled by higher per‑player spend and the rapid expansion of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels.
A recent joint survey by FastSpring and Omdia revealed that 96 percent of development studios either already run or plan to launch their own D2C web stores. Studios cite enhanced brand visibility, stronger player loyalty, and direct access to first‑party customer data as primary motivations for this shift. In contrast, the PC platform is forecast to hold the smallest slice of the pie at 21 percent, equating to $45.9 billion in revenue. While still growing—Newzoo estimates a 5.3 percent increase over the year—the pace is slower than the 12 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) projected for 2025.
The slowdown reflects a maturing market, but growth is expected to be geographically diverse, with notable gains in the Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East‑Africa (MEA) regions. From a business‑model perspective, premium and mid‑priced titles are anticipated to continue sustaining full‑game revenue streams. At the same time, microtransactions are projected to reclaim their position as the leading monetisation model across all platforms, driven by the ongoing popularity of live‑service games and in‑game purchases. This dual‑track approach—high‑value full‑game sales bolstered by ongoing micro‑transaction revenue—will likely become the norm for many publishers seeking to balance upfront earnings with long‑term player engagement.
Player‑base dynamics also paint an interesting picture. Newzoo expects the total number of gamers worldwide to climb to 4.07 billion by 2029, representing a compound annual growth rate of 3.2 percent after a 4.4 percent rise in 2026. However, the rate of new player acquisition is expected to decelerate, shifting the industry’s focus toward retaining and monetising existing audiences rather than expanding the base. This strategic pivot is especially relevant as market penetration is projected to edge up only slightly—from 61.5 percent to 62 percent in 2026—suggesting limited headroom for deeper market saturation.
Regional growth patterns further highlight the sector’s evolution. Emerging markets, particularly within the Asia‑Pacific corridor, continue to dominate expansion, while the Middle East and Africa are emerging as the fastest‑growing regions in terms of player adoption.
Mobile gamers alone are estimated to number 3.10 billion in 2026, accounting for roughly 84 percent of the total gaming population. PC gamers are expected to reach 977 million (about 26 percent of all players), and console enthusiasts are projected at 651 million, or 18 percent. These figures illustrate a broader trend: the online population is projected to rise by 3.5 percent to 5.97 billion people, providing a larger pool of potential gamers even as penetration rates plateau.
Consequently, future revenue growth will hinge increasingly on how effectively companies can engage, retain, and monetise the existing user base through tactics such as personalized content, subscription services, and sophisticated data‑driven marketing. In summary, Newzoo’s outlook paints a picture of steady, albeit modest, expansion for the global games market through 2026 and beyond. Console sales will benefit from marquee releases like Grand Theft Auto VI, mobile will retain its commanding share thanks to D2C initiatives and higher spend per user, and PC will experience more measured growth across a broad set of emerging regions. The industry’s next phase will likely be defined less by the addition of new players and more by the depth of engagement with the billions already online, making retention, monetisation, and innovative business models the critical levers for sustained success.