According to the latest projections from market‑research firm Newzoo, the worldwide video‑game industry is set to expand by roughly 6.1 percent in 2026, pushing total revenues to an estimated $213.9 billion. More than half of that spending will continue to be driven by two of the biggest consumer bases on the planet – China and the United States – underscoring the persistent importance of these markets for publishers and developers alike. The figures come from Newzoo’s Global Games Market Report, which will be released in full on 10 September. The report breaks down the forecast by platform, region, and business model, offering a detailed picture of where growth is expected to originate and what trends are likely to shape the industry over the next few years.
**Console segment** Console hardware and software sales are projected to represent about 22 percent of the total market, amounting to $46.9 billion in 2026. This marks a 5.1 percent increase over the previous year and reflects the continued relevance of major console manufacturers such as Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo. A key driver of this uplift is the highly anticipated release of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto VI, slated for a November launch.
Newzoo estimates that the new title will lift full‑game spending by 17.5 percent, making it the strongest growth catalyst among all business models in the report. **Mobile dominance** Mobile gaming remains the largest slice of the pie, expected to capture 57 percent of global revenue – roughly $121.1 billion – in 2026. The sector’s year‑over‑year growth is forecast at 6.8 percent, fueled by higher average spend per player and the expanding role of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels. Recent data from a FastSpring and Omdia survey reveal that 96 percent of game studios either already run a D2C web store or plan to launch one.
Studios cite stronger brand visibility, deeper player loyalty, and richer first‑party data as the primary motivations for moving away from traditional marketplace models. **PC market** The personal‑computer segment is expected to hold the smallest share of the overall market, accounting for 21 percent or $45.9 billion. While still growing – at an estimated 5.3 percent year‑over‑year – the PC’s growth rate is projected to slow compared with the 12 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) that Newzoo had forecast for 2025. The report notes that PC growth will be geographically broad, with notable expansion in the Asia‑Pacific region, Latin America, and the Middle East‑Africa (MEA) corridor.
**Business‑model outlook** Premium and mid‑tier releases are expected to keep sustaining revenue from full‑game purchases, whereas microtransactions are forecast to reclaim the top spot as the most lucrative business model overall. This shift reflects a maturing ecosystem where players are willing to spend on both high‑quality, one‑time purchases and ongoing in‑game content. **Player base dynamics** The total number of gamers worldwide is projected to reach 4.07 billion by 2029, growing at a 3.2 percent CAGR after a 4.4 percent increase in 2026.
Newzoo cautions that future expansion will rely more heavily on retaining and monetising existing players rather than simply adding new users to the ecosystem. Player penetration – the share of the global online population that engages in gaming – is expected to edge up from 61.5 percent to 62 percent in 2026.
The modest rise signals limited room for deeper market penetration; instead, growth will be driven by the overall online population expanding by roughly 3.5 percent to 5.97 billion people. **Regional trends** Growth continues to be concentrated in emerging markets. The Asia‑Pacific region remains the largest contributor to total revenue, while the Middle East and Africa are the fastest‑growing areas in terms of percentage increase. Mobile gamers are estimated to number 3.10 billion in 2026, representing about 84 percent of the entire player base.
PC gamers are projected at 977 million (approximately 26 percent), and console gamers at 651 million (roughly 18 percent). **Implications for the industry** The data suggests several strategic imperatives for developers and publishers. First, the importance of D2C channels cannot be overstated; owning the customer relationship enables better data collection, targeted marketing, and higher margins.
Second, while console launches such as GTA VI can deliver short‑term spikes, sustained revenue will likely come from a balanced portfolio that includes premium titles, live‑service games, and microtransaction‑driven experiences. Third, geographic diversification will be crucial, as growth in mature markets plateaus and emerging regions provide the next wave of player acquisition. In summary, Newzoo’s outlook paints a picture of a robust yet evolving gaming landscape.
Total revenues are set to surpass the $200 billion mark, mobile remains the engine of growth, and the industry’s future success will hinge on deepening engagement with existing gamers, leveraging direct‑to‑consumer strategies, and expanding into fast‑growing regions around the world.