According to the latest projections from market‑research firm Newzoo, the worldwide video‑game industry is set to expand by 6.1 percent in 2026, bringing total revenue to roughly $213.9 billion. More than half of this spending will come from two powerhouses – China and the United States – underscoring the continued dominance of these markets in shaping global gaming trends. The figures come from Newzoo’s upcoming Global Games Market Report, which will be released in full on September 10. The report breaks down the forecast by platform, business model, and geography, offering a detailed view of where growth is expected to originate and which segments will drive the most value.
**Console segment** Console sales are projected to generate $46.9 billion in 2026, representing 22 percent of the total market and a year‑over‑year increase of 5.1 percent. A major catalyst for this uplift is the highly anticipated November release of Rockstar Games’ next‑generation title, Grand Theft Auto VI. Newzoo expects the game to lift full‑game spending across all platforms by 17.5 percent, labeling this surge as the strongest growth among any business model in the industry for the year. **Mobile dominance** Mobile gaming will retain its position as the largest platform, accounting for 57 percent of global revenue and reaching $121.1 billion.
This segment is forecast to grow 6.8 percent year‑over‑year, driven by two complementary forces: higher average spend per player and the expanding footprint of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels. A recent study conducted by FastSpring and Omdia revealed that 96 percent of game studios either already run or intend to launch their own D2C web stores. Studios cite improved brand visibility, stronger player loyalty, and richer first‑party data as the primary motivations for moving away from third‑party marketplaces.
**PC market** The personal‑computer segment is expected to be the smallest slice of the pie, contributing $45.9 billion, or 21 percent of total revenue. While still growing – Newzoo predicts a 5.3 percent year‑over‑year rise – the pace is slowing compared with the 12 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) that was forecast for 2025. The slowdown reflects a maturing market and the shifting focus of developers toward mobile and console experiences.
**Business‑model outlook** Premium and mid‑priced titles are anticipated to continue sustaining revenue from full‑game purchases, especially as flagship releases like Grand Theft Auto VI hit the market. At the same time, microtransactions are expected to reclaim the top spot as the most lucrative business model, thanks to their proven ability to generate recurring income from a broad player base. Newzoo notes that the resurgence of microtransactions will be supported by ongoing innovations in in‑game economies and the increasing sophistication of monetisation strategies.
**Geographic growth patterns** Growth will be geographically broad, with the Asia‑Pacific region remaining the largest contributor to market expansion. The Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, however, is projected to grow at the fastest rate, signalling a shift of purchasing power toward emerging economies. In contrast, mature markets such as North America and Western Europe will see more modest gains, emphasizing the importance of player retention over pure acquisition. **Player‑base dynamics** The total number of gamers worldwide is expected to climb to 4.07 billion by 2029, translating to a compound annual growth rate of 3.2 percent after a 4.4 percent increase in 2026.
Mobile gamers will dominate the ecosystem, with an estimated 3.10 billion players in 2026 – roughly 84 percent of the total player base. PC gamers are projected to number 977 million (about 26 percent), while console enthusiasts will reach 651 million (approximately 18 percent). Player penetration – the share of the global online population that plays games – is forecast to edge up from 61.5 percent to 62 percent in 2026. Newzoo cautions that there is limited headroom for expanding the base through deeper penetration; future growth will hinge more on retaining existing players and extracting additional value from them.
**Implications for developers and publishers** The data suggest that studios should prioritize strategies that enhance player lifetime value, such as robust D2C storefronts, personalized content updates, and community‑building initiatives. With microtransactions poised to dominate revenue streams again, developers will need to balance monetisation with player satisfaction to avoid backlash.
Moreover, the rapid growth in emerging regions presents opportunities for localisation, culturally relevant content, and region‑specific marketing campaigns. **Conclusion** Newzoo’s outlook paints a picture of a gaming industry that is both expanding and maturing. While overall revenue is set to rise to nearly $214 billion, the composition of that revenue is shifting: mobile remains the powerhouse, consoles receive a boost from blockbuster releases, and PCs experience slower growth.
The emphasis moving forward will be on deepening engagement with the existing audience, leveraging D2C channels, and capitalising on the continued appetite for microtransaction‑driven experiences across all platforms.