According to Newzoo’s upcoming Global Games Market Report, the worldwide video‑game industry is set to expand by 6.1% over the next year, pushing total revenues to roughly $213.9 billion by the end of 2026. The growth is being driven primarily by two massive markets—China and the United States— which together will account for more than half of all consumer spending on games.
The full report, scheduled for release on September 10, breaks down the forecast by platform, business model, and geography, offering a detailed view of where the industry’s momentum is coming from. Console sales, for example, are expected to generate $46.9 billion, representing about 22 % of the total market and marking a 5.1 % year‑over‑year increase. A key catalyst for that uplift is the highly anticipated November launch of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto VI.
Newzoo predicts the new title will lift full‑game spending by 17.5 %, making it the strongest growth driver among all existing business models. Mobile gaming continues to dominate the landscape, projected to capture the largest slice of revenue at 57 % or $121.1 billion. This segment is growing at a 6.8 % annual rate, fueled by higher average spend per player and the rapid expansion of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels.
A recent FastSpring and Omdia survey revealed that 96 % of game studios either already run or plan to launch their own D2C storefronts. Developers cite better brand visibility, stronger player loyalty, and richer first‑party data as the primary reasons for moving away from traditional marketplace models. The PC market, by contrast, is expected to hold the smallest share of overall revenue at 21 % ($45.9 billion). Although still growing—5.3 % year‑on‑year—its pace is slowing relative to earlier forecasts that had projected a 12 % compound annual growth rate through 2025.
Newzoo attributes the deceleration to market saturation in mature regions and a shift in consumer preference toward mobile and console experiences. In terms of business models, premium and mid‑priced titles are forecast to keep sustaining full‑game revenue streams, while microtransactions are poised to reclaim the top spot as the most lucrative model across all platforms. The report also highlights that PC growth will be geographically broad, with the strongest gains coming from the Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East‑Africa (MEA) regions.
Player numbers are expected to rise, but at a slower clip. The global player base should increase by 4.4 % in 2026, then settle into a 3.2 % compound annual growth rate through 2029, reaching an estimated 4.07 billion gamers worldwide. Newzoo cautions that future expansion will rely more on retaining and monetising existing players rather than on attracting brand‑new users, as the pool of potential gamers becomes increasingly saturated.
Emerging markets will continue to be the engine of growth. The Asia‑Pacific region remains the largest contributor to revenue, while the Middle East and Africa are expanding at the fastest rate. Mobile gamers alone are projected to number 3.10 billion in 2026, accounting for roughly 84 % of the total player population. PC gamers are expected to total about 977 million (approximately 26 % of all players), and console enthusiasts will number around 651 million (about 18 %).
Overall player penetration is forecast to edge up from 61.5 % to 62 % in 2026, indicating that the industry is approaching the limits of market saturation. Newzoo notes that there is "limited room to grow the base through deeper penetration; growth instead reflects the online population expanding by 3.5 % to 5.97 billion." In other words, the primary source of revenue growth will be the increasing willingness of existing gamers to spend more on premium experiences, subscriptions, and in‑game purchases, rather than a massive influx of new users.
The report’s insights suggest several strategic imperatives for developers and publishers. First, leveraging the launch window of blockbuster titles like Grand Theft Auto VI can deliver a significant short‑term boost to full‑game sales. Second, investing in D2C storefronts and direct relationships with players will become increasingly important for capturing higher margins and richer data.
Third, diversifying revenue streams—by balancing premium releases with robust microtransaction ecosystems—will help mitigate the slowdown in PC growth and ensure resilience across different platform segments. In summary, Newzoo’s forecast paints a picture of a gaming industry that remains robust and financially healthy, yet one that must adapt to a maturing player base and shifting consumption habits.
With mobile continuing to dominate, consoles buoyed by marquee releases, and PC markets seeking new growth avenues, the next few years will test the sector’s ability to innovate, engage, and monetise its ever‑expanding global audience.