According to Newzoo’s upcoming Global Games Market Report, the worldwide video‑game sector is on track to expand by 6.1% in 2026, pushing total revenues to roughly $213.9 billion. 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 industry growth. The full report, slated for release on September 10, breaks down the forecast by platform, business model and geographic trends. Console hardware and software sales are predicted to represent 22% of the total market, equating to about $46.9 billion, and are expected to grow at a 5.1% annual rate.
A key catalyst for this uplift is the highly anticipated November launch of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto VI. Newzoo estimates that the new title will boost full‑game spending by 17.5%, marking the strongest growth among all business models in the sector. Mobile gaming remains the largest slice of the pie, projected to capture 57% of global revenue and generate $121.1 billion in 2026.
This 6.8% year‑over‑year increase is being driven 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 run or plan to launch a D2C storefront. Developers cite improved brand visibility, stronger player loyalty, and richer first‑party data as primary motivations for moving away from traditional marketplace intermediaries. 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—Newzoo predicts a 5.3% rise year‑over‑year—the platform’s growth rate is expected to slow compared with the 12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) projected for 2025. The report notes that PC growth will be geographically diverse, with the strongest gains coming from Asia‑Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East‑Africa (MEA) regions.
When it comes to business models, premium and mid‑priced game releases are expected to continue sustaining full‑game revenue streams. However, microtransactions are projected to reclaim the top spot as the most lucrative model overall, reflecting the ongoing shift toward in‑game purchases and ongoing content monetisation. Player numbers are also set to increase, though at a decelerating pace. The global player base is projected to reach 4.07 billion by 2029, growing at a 3.2% CAGR after a 4.4% rise in 2026.
Newzoo cautions that future expansion will rely more on retaining and monetising existing gamers rather than attracting large numbers of new users. This sentiment is reinforced by the fact that player penetration is expected to edge up only slightly—from 61.5% to 62% in 2026—indicating limited headroom for deeper market saturation. Instead, growth will be fueled by the overall online population expanding by about 3.5% to reach 5.97 billion people. Regional dynamics further illustrate where the industry’s momentum is concentrated.
Emerging markets continue to outpace mature ones, with Asia‑Pacific remaining the largest region in terms of both revenue and player count. The Middle East and Africa are the fastest‑growing areas, suggesting that developers and publishers should pay close attention to localisation, payment infrastructure and cultural preferences in these territories.
Mobile gamers are estimated to number 3.10 billion in 2026, representing roughly 84% of the total gaming audience. PC gamers are projected at 977 million (about 26% of the total), while console players are expected to reach 651 million, accounting for 18% of the global base. These figures highlight the sheer scale of mobile as the dominant platform, but also underline the continued relevance of PC and console ecosystems for high‑spend, premium experiences.
In summary, Newzoo’s outlook paints a picture of a maturing industry where growth is increasingly driven by deeper engagement with existing players, strategic use of D2C channels, and the launch of blockbuster titles such as Grand Theft Auto VI. While the overall market size is set to surpass the $200 billion mark, the composition of that revenue—by platform, region and business model—will continue to evolve, rewarding companies that can adapt to shifting consumer behaviours and emerging market opportunities.