According to Newzoo’s upcoming Global Games Market Report, the worldwide video‑game sector is on track to expand by 6.1% in 2026, reaching a total value of roughly $213.9 billion. More than half of this consumer expenditure is expected to come from two powerhouses: China and the United States, underscoring the continued dominance of these markets in shaping global gaming trends. The full report, slated for release on September 10, breaks down the forecast by platform and business model.
Console gaming is predicted to generate $46.9 billion, representing 22% of the total market and marking a 5.1% year‑over‑year increase. A key driver behind this uplift is the highly anticipated November debut of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto 6. Newzoo estimates that the title will lift full‑game spending by an impressive 17.5%, making it the strongest growth catalyst among all business models in the sector.
Mobile gaming remains the largest slice of the pie, accounting for 57% of global revenue and projected to hit $121.1 billion. This 6.8% increase over the previous year is fueled by higher average spend per player and the rapid expansion of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels.
A recent FastSpring and Omdia survey revealed that 96% of game studios either already operate or intend to launch their own D2C web stores. Developers cite greater brand visibility, stronger player loyalty, and direct access to first‑party data as primary motivations for this shift. In contrast, the PC segment 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‑on‑year—its pace is expected to slow relative to earlier projections that had anticipated a 12% compound annual growth rate through 2025. Newzoo attributes this moderation to the maturation of the PC ecosystem and increasing competition from mobile and console platforms. When it comes to monetisation strategies, premium and mid‑priced titles are set to sustain the bulk of full‑game revenue.
However, microtransactions are projected to reclaim the position of the largest business model overall, driven by the continued popularity of in‑game purchases across all platforms. PC growth is expected to be geographically diverse, with notable expansion in the Asia‑Pacific region, as well as in Latin America and the Middle East‑Africa (MEA) markets. Player population growth is also projected to decelerate. While the number of gamers is expected to rise by 4.4% in 2026, the compound annual growth rate from 2026 through 2029 is forecast at 3.2%.
By the end of the decade, the global player base could reach approximately 4.07 billion individuals. Newzoo notes that future expansion will rely more on retaining and monetising existing users rather than on attracting entirely new participants. Emerging markets are poised to carry the bulk of this 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 estimated to number 3.10 billion in 2026, representing 84% of the total gaming audience. PC gamers are projected at 977 million (about 26% of the market), and console enthusiasts at 651 million (roughly 18%).
Overall player penetration is expected to edge up slightly from 61.5% to 62% in 2026. Newzoo cautions that there is limited headroom for further penetration; instead, growth will stem from the online population itself expanding by roughly 3.5% to reach 5.97 billion people worldwide. This subtle shift highlights the industry's transition toward deeper engagement and higher spend per existing user, rather than relying solely on expanding the total addressable market. In summary, the 2026 outlook paints a picture of steady, moderate growth across all major platforms, with mobile retaining its dominant share, consoles benefitting from blockbuster releases like Grand Theft Auto 6, and PCs maintaining a solid, if slower, trajectory.
The increasing emphasis on D2C storefronts and microtransaction revenue models suggests that developers are focusing on building direct relationships with players, leveraging data insights to optimise monetisation and foster long‑term loyalty. As the global player base approaches four billion, the industry’s challenge will be to balance acquisition with retention, ensuring that the incremental revenue gains are driven by deeper engagement rather than sheer numbers alone.