According to Newzoo’s latest Global Games Market Report, the worldwide video‑game sector is on track to expand by roughly 6.1% in 2026, pushing total revenues to an estimated $213.9 billion. More than half of that spend is expected to come from two powerhouse markets—China and the United States—underscoring the continued dominance of these regions in driving global gaming consumption.
The full report, slated for release on September 10, breaks down the forecast by platform, business model, and geographic region, offering a granular view of where growth is expected to originate. Console gaming, for instance, is projected to generate $46.9 billion, representing about 22 % of the overall market and reflecting a 5.1 % year‑over‑year increase. A major catalyst for this uplift is the highly anticipated November launch of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto VI. Newzoo predicts that the title will boost full‑game spending by an impressive 17.5 %, marking the strongest growth among all business models in the sector.
Mobile gaming remains the largest slice of the pie, accounting for roughly 57 % of total revenue and reaching $121.1 billion. This segment is expected to grow 6.8 % compared with the previous year, fueled by higher average spend per player and the rapid expansion of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels. A recent study conducted by FastSpring and Omdia revealed that 96 % of game studios either already run a D2C storefront or have plans to do so. Developers cite benefits such as heightened brand visibility, stronger customer loyalty, and direct access to first‑party data as key motivators for this shift.
In contrast, the PC platform is forecast to hold the smallest market share at 21 %, translating to $45.9 billion in revenue. While still growing—at an estimated 5.3 % year‑over‑year—PC growth is expected to decelerate relative to the 12 % compound annual growth rate (CAGR) Newzoo had projected for 2025. The report notes that PC expansion will be geographically diverse, with the strongest gains coming from the Asia‑Pacific region, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa (MEA).
When it comes to business models, premium and mid‑priced full‑game releases are anticipated to continue sustaining revenue streams, but 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 willingness of players to spend on cosmetic items, battle passes, and other optional content. Player numbers are also a focal point of the analysis.
The global player base is expected to grow more slowly after 2026, with the year‑over‑year increase dropping from 4.4 % to a projected 3.2 % CAGR through 2029. By that time, Newzoo estimates there will be roughly 4.07 billion gamers worldwide. The bulk of these players—about 84 % or 3.10 billion—will be mobile users, reflecting the platform’s continued accessibility and low barrier to entry.
PC gamers are forecast to number around 977 million (approximately 26 % of the total), while console enthusiasts are expected to reach 651 million, or 18 % of the overall audience. Newzoo cautions that future growth will rely increasingly on retaining and monetising existing players rather than simply attracting new ones. As market penetration climbs modestly from 61.5 % to 62 % in 2026, the room for expanding the base through deeper market saturation shrinks.
Instead, the industry’s expansion is likely to be driven by the overall online population growing at a 3.5 % rate, pushing the total number of internet users to about 5.97 billion. Geographically, emerging markets continue to be the engine of growth. The Asia‑Pacific region remains the largest contributor, while the Middle East and Africa are expanding at the fastest pace, indicating that developers and publishers will need to tailor their strategies to these diverse locales. Factors such as improved broadband infrastructure, increasing smartphone penetration, and localized content are all playing a part in unlocking new revenue opportunities.
In summary, Newzoo’s outlook paints a picture of a mature yet still expanding gaming ecosystem. While the overall market is set to surpass the $200 billion mark, the composition of that growth is shifting: mobile retains its dominance, consoles benefit from blockbuster releases like Grand Theft Auto VI, and PC gaming finds new life through region‑specific expansion. At the same time, the industry is moving toward a model where deepening engagement with existing players—through D2C storefronts, microtransaction ecosystems, and targeted regional strategies—will be the primary driver of future revenue.