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 percent in 2026, achieving a total value of roughly $213.9 billion. More than half of that consumer expenditure will stem from just two markets—China and the United States—underscoring the continued dominance of these regions in the digital entertainment ecosystem.
When the numbers are broken down by platform, console gaming is expected to generate $46.9 billion, representing 22 percent of the overall market and growing at an annual rate of 5.1 percent. A key driver behind this uplift is the highly anticipated launch of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto VI in November. Newzoo predicts the title will lift full‑game spending by an impressive 17.5 percent, marking the strongest growth among all business models in the sector. Mobile gaming will retain its position as the largest platform, accounting for 57 percent of total revenue and reaching $121.1 billion.
This segment’s year‑on‑year growth of 6.8 percent is being fueled by two main forces: higher average spend per player and the expanding influence 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 benefits such as stronger brand visibility, deeper customer loyalty, and richer first‑party data as primary motivations for this shift. The PC market, by contrast, is projected to hold the smallest slice of the pie at 21 percent, translating to $45.9 billion in revenue.
Growth on this platform is forecast at 5.3 percent year‑over‑year, a slowdown from the 12 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) that Newzoo had previously projected for 2025. Despite the lower share, PC gaming is expected to experience geographically diverse expansion, with Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East‑Africa (MEA) regions leading the charge.
In terms of business models, premium and mid‑priced releases are anticipated to continue sustaining revenue from full‑game purchases. Meanwhile, microtransactions are poised to reclaim the title of the largest revenue generator across all platforms, reflecting the enduring popularity of in‑game purchases and seasonal content updates.
Player‑base dynamics also merit attention. Newzoo estimates that the total number of gamers worldwide will climb to 4.07 billion by 2029, growing at a compound annual rate of 3.2 percent after a 4.4 percent increase in 2026. This modest deceleration suggests that future market expansion will rely more on extracting additional value from existing players rather than on onboarding large numbers of new users. The firm notes that player penetration is expected to edge up from 61.5 percent to 62 percent in 2026, indicating limited scope for deepening market saturation; instead, growth will largely be driven by the overall online population expanding to 5.97 billion—a 3.5 percent rise.
Regional trends reinforce the narrative of emerging‑market momentum. Asia‑Pacific remains the biggest contributor to global gaming revenue, while the Middle East and Africa are the fastest‑growing regions, reflecting rising disposable incomes and increasing internet accessibility. Mobile gamers alone are projected to number 3.10 billion in 2026, comprising 84 percent of the total player base.
PC gamers are expected to reach 977 million (about 26 percent), and console enthusiasts will number roughly 651 million, representing 18 percent of all gamers. The data collectively point to a maturing industry where the emphasis is shifting from sheer player acquisition to deeper monetisation of the existing audience. Developers and publishers will likely double down on strategies that enhance player retention, such as live‑service models, regular content updates, and personalised in‑game experiences.
At the same time, the growing adoption of D2C storefronts suggests a move toward greater control over distribution, pricing, and customer relationships, enabling studios to capture a larger slice of the revenue pie. In summary, Newzoo’s outlook paints a picture of steady, if not spectacular, growth for the global games market through 2026 and beyond. With console releases like Grand Theft Auto VI acting as catalysts, mobile platforms maintaining dominance, and PC markets diversifying geographically, the industry appears well‑positioned to navigate the challenges of a saturating player base while capitalising on evolving monetisation models and emerging regional opportunities.