According to the latest projections from market‑research firm Newzoo, the worldwide video‑game industry is set to expand by 6.1 percent in 2026, reaching a total value of roughly $213.9 billion. The growth trajectory is being driven largely by two powerhouse markets—China and the United States—whose combined consumer expenditure will account for more than half of all global gaming spend. These figures stem from Newzoo’s upcoming Global Games Market Report, which is scheduled for full publication on September 10.
The report breaks down revenue expectations by platform, business model, and regional dynamics, offering a detailed view of where the industry is headed over the next few years. **Console segment** Console‑related sales are forecast to represent 22 percent of the total market, translating to about $46.9 billion in revenue. This marks a 5.1 percent year‑on‑year increase and reflects the continued appeal of next‑generation hardware and marquee titles. A key catalyst for this uplift is the highly anticipated release of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto VI in November 2026.
Newzoo predicts that the launch will push full‑game spending up by 17.5 percent, making it the strongest growth driver among all business models in the sector. **Mobile gaming dominance** Mobile devices will retain their position as the largest platform, capturing 57 percent of total industry revenue—approximately $121.1 billion. This segment is expected to grow 6.8 percent compared with the previous year, buoyed by higher average spend per player and the expanding influence of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels.
A recent survey conducted by FastSpring and Omdia revealed that 96 percent of game studios either already run a D2C storefront or have plans to do so. Studios cite benefits such as stronger brand visibility, deeper customer loyalty, and richer access to first‑party data as primary motivations for this shift. **PC market outlook** The PC platform is projected to hold the smallest share of the overall market at 21 percent, equating to $45.9 billion in revenue. Growth for PC games is estimated at 5.3 percent year‑over‑year, a slowdown from the 12 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) that Newzoo had forecast for 2025.
Despite the relative decline, the PC segment is expected to experience geographically broad expansion, with particular momentum in the Asia‑Pacific region, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa (MEA). **Business‑model trends** Premium and mid‑priced titles are anticipated to continue sustaining full‑game revenue streams, while microtransactions are poised to reclaim the title of the largest business model by total income. This shift underscores the ongoing importance of in‑game purchases, seasonal passes, and cosmetic items as reliable revenue generators across all platforms. **Player base dynamics** The global player population is projected to reach 4.07 billion by 2029, representing a modest slowdown in growth rate—from a 4.4 percent increase in 2026 to an estimated 3.2 percent CAGR through 2029.
Newzoo notes that future expansion will rely increasingly on retaining and monetising existing gamers rather than attracting entirely new users. This reflects the reality that the overall online population is expected to grow only about 3.5 percent, reaching 5.97 billion people, leaving limited room for deeper market penetration.
**Regional distribution** Emerging markets will continue to be the engine of growth. The Asia‑Pacific region remains the largest contributor to worldwide revenue, while the Middle East and Africa are expanding at the fastest pace. Mobile gamers are estimated to number 3.10 billion in 2026, accounting for roughly 84 percent of all players. PC gamers are expected to total 977 million (about 26 percent), and console enthusiasts will number around 651 million, representing 18 percent of the global audience.
**Implications for developers and publishers** The data suggests that studios should prioritize strategies that enhance player lifetime value, such as robust D2C storefronts, personalized content updates, and community‑building initiatives. With the console market buoyed by blockbuster releases like Grand Theft Auto VI, publishers may also consider timing premium launches to capitalize on heightened consumer spending cycles. Meanwhile, the continued dominance of mobile gaming highlights the need for cross‑platform integration and monetisation models that can adapt to diverse regional spending habits.
In summary, Newzoo’s outlook paints a picture of a maturing industry where growth is increasingly incremental and driven by deeper engagement with existing gamers. While the overall market size is set to surpass the $200 billion mark, success will hinge on a studio’s ability to navigate platform‑specific trends, leverage D2C channels, and deliver compelling experiences that keep players invested over the long term.