According to Newzoo’s upcoming Global Games Market Report, slated for full release on September 10, the worldwide video‑game industry is set to expand by 6.1% over the next year, pushing total revenue to roughly $213.9 billion. More than half of that spending will continue to come from two powerhouse markets – China and the United States – underscoring the enduring influence of these regions on the sector’s financial health.
When the numbers are broken down by platform, consoles are expected to generate $46.9 billion, representing about 22 % of the total market and marking a 5.1 % increase from the previous year. A key driver behind this uplift is the highly anticipated launch of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto VI in November. Newzoo predicts that the new installment will lift full‑game spend by an impressive 17.5 %, a rise the firm describes as the strongest growth among all business models in the industry. Mobile gaming remains the dominant force, accounting for the largest slice of the pie at 57 % and projected to deliver $121.1 billion in revenue.
This segment’s year‑on‑year growth of 6.8 % is being fueled by two intertwined trends: 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 concrete plans to do so. Developers cite stronger brand visibility, deeper player loyalty, and richer first‑party data as the primary incentives for moving sales in‑house.
In contrast, the PC market is forecast to capture the smallest share of total revenue, at 21 % or $45.9 billion. Growth on this platform is expected to slow to 5.3 % year‑over‑year, a noticeable dip from the 12 % compound annual growth rate (CAGR) that Newzoo had projected for 2025. Nevertheless, the firm anticipates that PC growth will be geographically diverse, with notable gains in the Asia‑Pacific region, Latin America, and the Middle East‑Africa (MEA) markets. The report also highlights a shift in the composition of business models.
While premium and mid‑priced titles will continue to sustain revenue from full‑game purchases, microtransactions are poised to reclaim their position as the leading source of income across platforms. This resurgence reflects the broader industry trend toward ongoing monetisation through in‑game purchases, cosmetics, and seasonal passes. Player‑base dynamics are another focal point of Newzoo’s analysis. 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 % after a 4.4 % increase in 2026.
However, the firm warns that future expansion will rely more on retaining and monetising existing players than on attracting brand‑new users. This sentiment is reinforced by the fact that player penetration – the proportion of the global online population that plays games – will edge up only slightly from 61.5 % to 62 % in 2026. The limited room for deeper market penetration means that growth will increasingly hinge on extracting additional value from the current audience. Regional growth patterns further illustrate where the industry’s momentum is concentrated.
Emerging markets continue to drive the bulk of expansion, with the Asia‑Pacific region remaining the largest contributor to overall revenue. Meanwhile, the Middle East and Africa are experiencing the fastest growth rates, signaling a broadening of the gaming landscape beyond its traditional strongholds.
In terms of player distribution across platforms, mobile gamers are projected to number 3.10 billion in 2026, accounting for roughly 84 % of all players. PC gamers will reach about 977 million (26 % of the total), and console enthusiasts are expected to number 651 million, representing 18 % of the global gaming population. These figures illustrate the continued dominance of mobile as the primary gateway to gaming for the majority of the world’s consumers. Newzoo’s outlook also touches on the macro‑economic backdrop.
The firm notes that the overall online population is anticipated to grow by 3.5 % to 5.97 billion people, providing a modest but steady pool of potential new gamers. Yet, because the market is approaching saturation in many mature regions, the emphasis will shift toward innovative monetisation strategies, deeper engagement, and leveraging first‑party data to personalise experiences.
In summary, the 2026 forecast paints a picture of a robust yet evolving gaming ecosystem. While total revenue is set to climb to $213.9 billion, the composition of that growth will be shaped by platform‑specific dynamics, the resurgence of microtransaction‑driven models, and the strategic importance of D2C sales channels.
The launch of Grand Theft Auto VI stands out as a marquee event capable of delivering a significant boost to full‑game spend, while the continued rise of mobile gaming ensures that the majority of players will remain anchored to smartphones and tablets. As the industry matures, success will increasingly depend on how well publishers can retain existing audiences, extract greater lifetime value, and adapt to the nuanced preferences of gamers across diverse regions.