According to Newzoo’s upcoming Global Games Market Report, the worldwide video‑game industry is set to expand by 6.1 percent in 2026, pushing total revenues to roughly $213.9 billion. More than half of this spending will continue to be driven by two powerhouse markets—China and the United States—underscoring their enduring influence on the sector.
The full report, slated for release on September 10, breaks down the forecast by platform and business model, revealing a nuanced picture of where growth is expected to originate. Console sales are projected to generate $46.9 billion, representing 22 percent of the total market and marking a 5.1 percent year‑over‑year increase. A major catalyst for this uplift is the highly anticipated November launch of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto VI.
Newzoo predicts that the title will lift full‑game spending by 17.5 percent, the strongest growth rate among all business models in the forecast period. Mobile gaming remains the dominant force, accounting for an estimated 57 percent of global revenues—about $121.1 billion. This segment is expected to grow 6.8 percent year‑over‑year, propelled by higher average spend per player and the continued expansion of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels. A recent FastSpring and Omdia survey highlighted that 96 percent of game studios either already run or plan to launch a D2C web store.
Developers cite improved brand visibility, stronger player loyalty, and richer access to first‑party data as key incentives for this shift. In contrast, the PC platform is forecast to capture the smallest slice of the market at 21 percent, or $45.9 billion.
While still growing—Newzoo estimates a 5.3 percent increase over the year—this pace is slower than the 12 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) projected for 2025. The slowdown reflects a maturing PC ecosystem, though growth is expected to be geographically diverse, with the Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East‑Africa regions leading the charge.
When it comes to monetisation strategies, premium and mid‑tier titles are expected to sustain revenue from full‑game purchases, whereas microtransactions are projected to reclaim their status as the largest business model across platforms. This shift suggests that while blockbuster releases like GTA VI will drive spikes in full‑price sales, the steady stream of in‑game purchases will remain the backbone of overall revenue.
Player‑base dynamics also feature prominently in Newzoo’s outlook. The total number of gamers worldwide is forecast to reach 4.07 billion by 2029, growing at a compound annual rate of 3.2 percent after a 4.4 percent increase in 2026. However, the pace of player acquisition is expected to decelerate, signalling that future growth will rely more on retaining and monetising existing users rather than on attracting large numbers of new players. Regional growth is heavily weighted toward emerging markets.
The Asia‑Pacific region continues to be the largest contributor to revenue, while the Middle East and Africa are the fastest‑growing areas, reflecting expanding internet penetration and rising disposable income in those locales. Mobile gamers alone are projected to number 3.10 billion in 2026, representing roughly 84 percent of the total player population. PC gamers are expected to total 977 million (about 26 percent), and console players about 651 million (approximately 18 percent). Overall player penetration is predicted to edge up slightly from 61.5 percent to 62 percent in 2026.
Newzoo notes that the room for expanding the base through deeper market penetration is limited; instead, growth will stem from the online population itself expanding by an estimated 3.5 percent to reach 5.97 billion people. This nuance underscores a broader industry trend: as the pool of potential gamers stabilises, success will hinge on delivering compelling experiences that keep existing audiences engaged and willing to spend. In summary, Newzoo’s 2026 forecast paints a picture of steady, modest growth across the gaming ecosystem, driven by flagship releases, the continued dominance of mobile, and a strategic pivot toward D2C commerce.
While the sector’s overall size is set to surpass the $200 billion mark, the real challenge for developers and publishers will be to nurture loyalty among the existing player base and to innovate within business models that balance premium purchases with ongoing microtransaction revenue streams.