According to Newzoo’s upcoming Global Games Market Report, the worldwide video‑game sector is projected to expand by 6.1 percent in 2026, reaching a total value of roughly $213.9 billion. More than half of this consumer expenditure is expected to originate from two powerhouses: China and the United States, underscoring the continued dominance of these markets in shaping global gaming trends. The full report, slated for release on September 10, provides a detailed breakdown of revenue by platform.
Console sales are forecast to represent 22 percent of the total market, equating to about $46.9 billion and marking a 5.1 percent year‑over‑year increase. A key driver behind this uplift is the highly anticipated November launch of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto 6. Newzoo predicts the new title will lift full‑game spending by an impressive 17.5 percent, labeling this surge as the strongest growth observed among any business model in the industry.
Mobile gaming remains the largest slice of the pie, projected to capture 57 percent of global revenue and generate $121.1 billion. This segment’s growth rate of 6.8 percent year‑on‑year is fueled by two main forces: rising player spend per user and the rapid expansion 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 enhanced brand visibility, stronger player loyalty, and direct access to first‑party customer data as primary motivations for embracing the D2C model.
In contrast, the PC platform is expected to hold the smallest share of the market at 21 percent, translating to $45.9 billion in revenue. While still growing—at a projected 5.3 percent year‑over‑year—this figure represents a slowdown from the 12 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) Newzoo had forecast for 2025. The slowdown is partly attributed to market saturation in mature regions, though growth is expected to be geographically broad, with notable gains in Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East‑Africa (MEA) zones. When it comes to monetisation models, premium and mid‑priced game releases are anticipated to continue sustaining full‑game revenue streams.
Meanwhile, microtransactions are projected to reclaim their position as the leading business model, driven by the persistent popularity of in‑game purchases across both mobile and console ecosystems. This shift highlights the industry’s balancing act between traditional full‑price titles and the ongoing rise of “games as a service” economics. Player‑base dynamics also feature prominently in Newzoo’s outlook. The overall number of gamers is expected to grow more modestly, decelerating from a 4.4 percent year‑over‑year increase in 2026 to a 3.2 percent CAGR through 2029.
By the end of that period, the global player population is projected to reach roughly 4.07 billion individuals. The firm stresses that future growth will rely increasingly on retaining and monetising existing users rather than simply adding new ones to the ecosystem. Regional growth patterns reinforce this narrative. Emerging markets continue to carry the bulk of expansion, with the Asia‑Pacific region remaining the largest contributor to total revenue.
The Middle East and Africa, meanwhile, are expanding at the fastest pace, reflecting rising internet penetration and increasing disposable income among younger demographics. In terms of platform‑specific player counts for 2026, Newzoo estimates that mobile gamers will number about 3.10 billion, accounting for roughly 84 percent of the total gaming audience. PC gamers are projected to reach 977 million (approximately 26 percent of the total), while console enthusiasts are expected to number 651 million, representing 18 percent of all players. These figures illustrate the overwhelming dominance of mobile as the primary entry point for new gamers worldwide.
Player penetration—defined as the proportion of the global online population that engages in gaming—is slated to edge up slightly from 61.5 percent to 62 percent in 2026. Newzoo notes that the scope for expanding the base through deeper market penetration is limited; instead, overall growth will be driven by the online population itself expanding by an estimated 3.5 percent to reach 5.97 billion people. In summary, Newzoo’s forthcoming analysis paints a picture of a maturing yet still expanding gaming landscape.
While revenue continues to climb, the rate of player‑base growth is moderating, prompting industry players to focus on deeper engagement, higher spend per user, and innovative monetisation strategies such as D2C storefronts and microtransaction ecosystems. The impending release of Grand Theft Auto 6 stands out as a headline catalyst, poised to inject a substantial boost into full‑game sales and reaffirm the enduring appeal of premium, narrative‑driven experiences in an increasingly diversified market.