According to Newzoo’s latest Global Games Market Report, the worldwide video‑game sector is set to expand by roughly 6.1 percent over the next year, pushing total revenues to an estimated $213.9 billion in 2026. More than half of that spending 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 and business model, revealing several noteworthy trends. Console hardware and software sales are projected to account for about 22 percent of the total market, translating to $46.9 billion in revenue and marking a 5.1 percent 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 the new title will boost full‑game spending by an impressive 17.5 percent, a growth rate that the firm describes as the strongest among all existing business models.
Mobile gaming remains the dominant force, expected to capture 57 percent of overall revenue and generate $121.1 billion. This segment’s growth of 6.8 percent year‑over‑year is being driven by two complementary factors: higher average spend per player and the rapid expansion of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels.
Recent research from FastSpring and Omdia indicates that 96 percent of game studios either already operate or plan to launch their own D2C storefronts. Developers cite better brand visibility, stronger player loyalty, and richer first‑party data as primary motivations for moving away from traditional platform‑gatekeepers. In contrast, the PC market is forecast to hold the smallest slice of the pie at 21 percent, equating to $45.9 billion. While still growing—up 5.3 percent year‑over‑year—the pace is expected to decelerate compared with the 12 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) that Newzoo had projected for 2025.
The firm attributes this slowdown to a maturing ecosystem and increasing competition from mobile and console titles, though it notes that growth will be geographically diverse, with Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East‑Africa (MEA) regions leading the charge. When it comes to monetisation strategies, premium and mid‑priced full‑game releases are anticipated to continue sustaining revenue streams, whereas microtransactions are projected to reclaim the position of the largest business model overall. This shift suggests that while big‑budget titles remain lucrative, the industry is still heavily reliant on in‑game purchases, especially in free‑to‑play environments. Player‑base dynamics also paint an evolving picture.
The total number of gamers worldwide is expected 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, Newzoo cautions that future expansion will hinge more on retaining and monetising existing users than on attracting fresh participants. The company highlights that the market’s growth is increasingly concentrated in emerging economies, with Asia‑Pacific retaining its status as the largest regional market and the MEA region posting the fastest growth rate. By 2026, mobile gamers are projected to number 3.10 billion, comprising roughly 84 percent of the global player population.
PC gamers are expected to reach 977 million (about 26 percent of the total), while console enthusiasts will number around 651 million, accounting for 18 percent. Overall player penetration is slated to edge up from 61.5 percent to 62 percent in 2026, reflecting limited scope for expanding the base through deeper market saturation.
Instead, growth will be driven by the online population itself, which Newzoo estimates will expand by 3.5 percent to reach 5.97 billion users. In summary, Newzoo’s outlook paints a picture of a robust yet increasingly mature gaming ecosystem. While revenue continues to climb, the drivers of that growth are shifting from sheer player acquisition toward deeper engagement, higher spend per user, and strategic use of D2C channels. The anticipated success of blockbuster releases such as Grand Theft Auto VI will provide a short‑term boost, but sustained long‑term expansion will depend on how effectively publishers can nurture existing communities across mobile, console, and PC platforms, especially in fast‑growing emerging markets.