According to Newzoo’s latest outlook, the worldwide video‑game market is set to expand by roughly 6.1 percent in 2026, bringing total revenues to an estimated $213.9 billion. More than half of this spending is expected to come from two powerhouses—China and the United States—underscoring the continued dominance of these economies in the digital entertainment sector. The figures stem from Newzoo’s Global Games Market Report, which will be released in full on September 10. The report breaks down the forecast by platform, business model, and regional dynamics, offering a granular view of where growth will be strongest and what factors are likely to shape the industry over the next few years.
**Console segment** Console sales are projected to generate $46.9 billion, representing about 22 % of the total market and marking a 5.1 % year‑on‑year increase. A key driver behind this uplift is the highly anticipated November debut of Rockstar Games’ flagship title, Grand Theft Auto VI. Newzoo predicts that the new installment will lift full‑game spending by 17.5 %, the steepest rise among all business models in the forecast period. This surge is expected to ripple through the console ecosystem, encouraging both hardware purchases and ancillary software sales.
**Mobile dominance** Mobile gaming remains the largest slice of the pie, accounting for 57 % of global revenues and reaching $121.1 billion. The sector’s growth rate of 6.8 % YoY is driven by a combination of higher average spend per player and the rapid expansion of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels. More developers are launching their own storefronts, bypassing traditional app‑store fees and gaining direct access to player data.
A recent FastSpring and Omdia survey found that 96 % of studios either already run a D2C web shop or plan to do so, citing benefits such as stronger brand visibility, deeper customer loyalty, and richer first‑party analytics. **PC market** The PC platform is forecast to generate $45.9 billion, or roughly 21 % of the total market, and is expected to grow at a modest 5.3 % YoY.
This pace is slower than the 12 % compound annual growth rate (CAGR) Newzoo had projected for 2025, reflecting a maturing segment that is increasingly reliant on premium and mid‑priced titles to sustain revenue. While the overall share is the smallest among the three major platforms, growth is expected to be geographically broad, with notable gains in the Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East‑Africa (MEA) regions. **Business‑model trends** Premium and mid‑tier releases are slated to keep full‑game revenue streams healthy, but microtransactions are projected to reclaim the top spot as the most lucrative business model across all platforms.
The resurgence of in‑game purchases is linked to the expanding ecosystem of live‑service games, where continuous content updates encourage ongoing spending. **Player base dynamics** The global player base is projected to reach 4.07 billion by 2029, growing at a compound annual rate of 3.2 % after a 4.4 % increase in 2026.
However, Newzoo warns that future expansion will rely more on retaining and monetising existing gamers than on attracting new users. Penetration rates are expected to edge up from 61.5 % to 62 % in 2026, indicating limited room for growth through deeper market saturation. Instead, the overall online population is anticipated to expand by 3.5 % to 5.97 billion, providing the incremental audience needed to sustain revenue growth.
**Regional outlook** Emerging markets are the primary engine of growth, with the Asia‑Pacific region remaining the largest contributor to total revenues. The Middle East and Africa are expanding the fastest, reflecting increasing internet penetration and rising disposable incomes. Mobile gamers are expected to number 3.10 billion in 2026, representing 84 % of all players. PC gamers will total approximately 977 million (26 % of the total), while console enthusiasts are projected to reach 651 million (18 %).
**Implications for the industry** The data suggest that developers and publishers will need to double down on strategies that maximise lifetime value from existing users. This includes investing in high‑quality live‑service experiences, leveraging D2C channels to build stronger brand relationships, and tailoring content to regional preferences, especially in fast‑growing markets. The anticipated impact of Grand Theft Auto VI highlights how a single blockbuster can shift spending patterns dramatically, underscoring the importance of flagship titles in driving overall market health. In summary, Newzoo’s outlook paints a picture of steady, if not spectacular, growth for the global games market through 2026 and beyond.
While the total revenue figure of $213.9 billion signals a healthy industry, the real challenge for stakeholders will be to sustain that momentum by focusing on player retention, diversified monetisation models, and strategic expansion into emerging regions.