According to Newzoo’s upcoming Global Games Market Report, the worldwide video‑game sector is set to expand by 6.1% in 2026, pushing total revenues to roughly $213.9 billion. More than half of this spending is expected to originate from two powerhouse markets—China and the United States—underscoring the continued dominance of these regions in shaping industry trends. The full report, slated for release on September 10, breaks down the forecast by platform, business model, and geography, offering a detailed picture of where growth will be strongest. Console sales, for instance, are projected to represent 22 % of the overall market, delivering about $46.9 billion in revenue.
This figure reflects a modest 5.1 % increase over the previous year, driven largely by the release of high‑profile titles and the ongoing appeal of next‑generation hardware. One such title, Rockstar Games’ highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI, is expected to be a major catalyst for the sector. Newzoo predicts that the game’s November launch will lift full‑game spending by an impressive 17.5 %, marking the steepest growth rate among all business models tracked by the firm.
The surge is attributed to the franchise’s massive fan base, the premium pricing strategy for new releases, and the extensive post‑launch support that Rockstar typically provides. Mobile gaming remains the dominant platform, accounting for 57 % of total market revenue and reaching an estimated $121.1 billion in 2026. This segment is projected to grow 6.8 % year‑over‑year, a pace fueled by higher average spend per user and the rapid expansion of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels. Recent data from a FastSpring and Omdia survey reveal that 96 % of game studios either already operate or plan to launch their own D2C storefronts.
Developers cite greater brand visibility, stronger player loyalty, and direct access to first‑party data as key motivations for this shift. In contrast, the PC gaming market is expected to hold the smallest share at 21 %, translating to $45.9 billion in revenue. While still growing—at an estimated 5.3 % year‑over‑year—the PC segment’s growth rate is slowing compared with the 12 % compound annual growth rate (CAGR) forecast for 2025. Analysts attribute the deceleration to market saturation in mature regions and the increasing competition from mobile and console platforms.
When it comes to business models, premium and mid‑tier titles are projected to continue sustaining revenue from full‑game purchases. However, microtransactions are forecast to reclaim their position as the largest source of income across all platforms, reflecting the industry’s ongoing reliance on in‑game purchases, battle passes, and cosmetic upgrades to drive ongoing monetisation. Geographically, PC growth is expected to be broadly distributed, with particular strength in the Asia‑Pacific region, Latin America, and the Middle East‑Africa (MEA) markets. These areas are experiencing rising internet penetration, improving payment infrastructure, and a growing middle class eager to spend on entertainment, all of which contribute to expanding player bases.
Overall player growth is projected to decelerate in the coming years. While the total number of gamers is expected to rise by 4.4 % in 2026, the compound annual growth rate from 2026 through 2029 is estimated at just 3.2 %. By the end of the forecast horizon, the global gaming audience is anticipated to reach approximately 4.07 billion users.
Newzoo cautions that future expansion will increasingly hinge on retaining existing players and extracting more value from them, rather than simply adding new users. This shift emphasizes the importance of engagement strategies, live‑service models, and personalized content to keep audiences invested over longer periods.
Emerging markets continue to be the primary engine of growth. The Asia‑Pacific region remains the largest contributor to overall revenue, while the MEA region is expanding at the fastest rate. Mobile gaming, in particular, is set to dominate player numbers, with an estimated 3.10 billion mobile gamers in 2026—representing about 84 % of the total gaming population. PC gamers are projected to number around 977 million (approximately 26 % of all players), and console enthusiasts are expected to reach 651 million (about 18 %).
Player penetration—defined as the proportion of the global online population that engages in gaming—is forecast to edge up slightly from 61.5 % to 62 % in 2026. Newzoo notes that there is limited headroom for expanding the base through deeper market penetration; instead, growth will largely be driven by the overall increase in the online population, which is projected to rise by 3.5 % to reach 5.97 billion individuals. In summary, the 2026 outlook paints a picture of steady, if modest, growth across the gaming ecosystem.
Console and PC segments will see incremental gains, mobile will retain its commanding share, and the launch of blockbuster titles like Grand Theft Auto VI will provide a notable boost to full‑game revenue. At the same time, developers and publishers must focus on nurturing existing communities, leveraging D2C channels, and capitalising on microtransaction‑driven monetisation to sustain momentum in an increasingly competitive and mature market.