According to Newzoo’s latest Global Games Market Report, slated for full release on September 10, the worldwide video‑game industry is set to expand by roughly 6.1 percent this year, pushing total revenue to an estimated $213.9 billion. More than half of that spending will continue to be driven by two powerhouse markets—China and the United States—underscoring the enduring importance of these regions for developers, publishers, and platform holders alike. Console sales are expected to account for about 22 percent of the total market, translating into roughly $46.9 billion in revenue and representing a 5.1 percent year‑over‑year increase.
A major catalyst for this uplift will be the November launch of Rockstar Games’ highly anticipated title Grand Theft Auto VI. Newzoo predicts that the new installment will lift full‑game spending by an impressive 17.5 percent, making it the strongest growth driver among all business models currently tracked. Mobile gaming will retain its position as the dominant platform, projected to capture 57 percent of global gaming spend—about $121.1 billion.
This segment’s growth of 6.8 percent year‑on‑year is being fueled by two key trends: higher average spend per player and the rapid expansion of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels. A recent joint survey by FastSpring and Omdia revealed that 96 percent of game studios either already operate or plan to launch their own D2C storefronts.
Studios cite enhanced brand visibility, stronger player loyalty, and direct access to first‑party customer data as primary motivations for moving away from traditional marketplace models. The PC market, by contrast, is slated to hold the smallest slice of the pie at 21 percent, equating to $45.9 billion in revenue. While still growing—Newzoo forecasts a 5.3 percent increase over the year—this rate marks a slowdown from the 12 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) that the firm projected for 2025.
The slowdown reflects a maturing ecosystem where incremental gains are increasingly tied to geographic diversification rather than sheer volume. In particular, Newzoo expects PC growth to be broadly distributed across the Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East‑Africa (MEA) regions, signaling a shift away from the traditional dominance of North America and Western Europe. When it comes to business models, premium and mid‑tier releases are expected to continue sustaining revenue from full‑game purchases. At the same time, microtransactions are forecast to reclaim their status as the largest source of income across all platforms, driven by the ongoing popularity of live‑service titles and in‑game cosmetic sales.
This dual‑track approach—combining high‑value full‑game sales with recurring micro‑spend streams—will be crucial for publishers seeking to balance short‑term spikes with long‑term monetisation. Player‑base growth is projected to decelerate modestly. In 2026, the global number of gamers is expected to rise by 4.4 percent year‑on‑year, but the compound annual growth rate through 2029 will settle at 3.2 percent, culminating in an estimated 4.07 billion players worldwide. Newzoo emphasizes that future expansion will rely more on retaining and monetising existing users than on attracting fresh audiences.
This shift reflects the limited headroom for increasing penetration rates—player penetration is forecast to edge up from 61.5 percent to 62 percent in 2026—meaning growth will largely be driven by the overall expansion of the online population, which is anticipated to reach 5.97 billion. Emerging markets will continue to be the engine of growth. The Asia‑Pacific region remains the largest contributor, while the Middle East and Africa are experiencing the fastest expansion rates. Mobile gaming will dominate player counts, with an estimated 3.10 billion mobile gamers in 2026—accounting for 84 percent of the total gamer population.
PC gamers are projected to number around 977 million (approximately 26 percent), and console players are expected to reach 651 million (about 18 percent). The broader implications of these trends suggest a strategic pivot for the industry. Companies will need to invest heavily in data‑driven engagement, community building, and cross‑platform experiences to maximise the lifetime value of each player.
The rise of D2C storefronts indicates a move toward greater control over distribution, pricing, and customer relationships, which could reshape the balance of power between large platform owners and independent developers. In summary, Newzoo’s outlook paints a picture of a robust yet increasingly nuanced gaming landscape. While total revenues are set to climb to $213.9 billion, the composition of that spend—and the pathways to achieving it—are evolving.
Console launches like Grand Theft Auto VI, the continued ascendancy of mobile, the resurgence of microtransactions, and the strategic focus on existing audiences together define the next chapter of global gaming growth.