According to the latest projections from market‑research firm Newzoo, the worldwide video‑game industry is set to expand by roughly 6.1% in 2026, reaching a total value of about $213.9 billion. More than half of this consumer spend is expected to come from two of the biggest gaming hubs on the planet—China and the United States.
These figures are drawn from Newzoo’s Global Games Market Report, which will be released in full on 10 September. The report breaks down the market by platform and business model, offering a detailed view of where growth will be strongest.
Console gaming is forecast to generate $46.9 billion, representing roughly 22 % of the total market and reflecting a 5.1 % increase over the previous year. A major catalyst for this uptick is the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto VI in November, which Newzoo predicts will lift full‑game spending by an impressive 17.5 %. The firm describes this surge as the "strongest growth of any business model" in the sector for the year.
Mobile gaming remains the dominant force, projected to capture 57 % of total revenue—about $121.1 billion. This segment is growing at a 6.8 % year‑on‑year pace, driven by higher average spend per player and the continued rise of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels. A recent survey conducted by FastSpring and Omdia revealed that 96 % of game studios either already run or plan to launch their own D2C web stores. Developers cite better brand visibility, stronger player loyalty, and direct access to first‑party data as the primary motivations for this shift.
In contrast, the PC segment is expected to hold the smallest share of the market, accounting for 21 % or $45.9 billion in revenue. While still growing—at an estimated 5.3 % year‑on‑year—its pace is slowing compared with the 12 % compound annual growth rate (CAGR) Newzoo had projected for 2025.
The report suggests that PC growth will be geographically diverse, with notable expansion in the Asia‑Pacific region, as well as in Latin America and the Middle East‑Africa (MEA) markets. When it comes to monetisation strategies, Newzoo foresees premium and mid‑priced titles continuing to sustain full‑game revenue streams, while microtransactions are expected to reclaim their position as the largest business model overall. This shift reflects a broader industry trend toward hybrid monetisation, where developers blend upfront purchases with ongoing in‑game purchases to maximise lifetime value. Player‑base dynamics also feature prominently in the outlook.
The total number of gamers worldwide is projected to rise to 4.07 billion by 2029, growing at a 3.2 % CAGR after a 4.4 % increase in 2026. Newzoo cautions that future growth will rely increasingly on retaining and monetising existing players rather than simply adding new ones. This sentiment is underscored by the fact that player penetration is expected to edge up only modestly—from 61.5 % in 2025 to 62 % in 2026—indicating limited room for expanding the base through deeper market saturation.
Emerging markets continue to be the engine of growth, with the Asia‑Pacific region remaining the largest contributor to overall revenue. Meanwhile, the Middle East and Africa are experiencing the fastest growth rates, reflecting expanding internet access and rising disposable incomes in those areas.
In terms of platform‑specific player counts for 2026, Newzoo estimates that mobile gamers will number approximately 3.10 billion, representing about 84 % of the total gaming population. PC gamers are expected to reach roughly 977 million (around 26 % of the total), while console players are projected at 651 million, accounting for 18 % of all gamers. Overall, Newzoo’s analysis paints a picture of a maturing industry that is shifting focus from sheer acquisition to deeper engagement and monetisation of its existing audience. The continued rise of D2C storefronts, the resurgence of microtransaction‑driven revenue, and the strong influence of flagship titles like Grand Theft Auto VI are all set to shape the competitive landscape as the market moves toward the $214 billion mark in 2026.