According to Newzoo’s upcoming Global Games Market Report, the worldwide video‑game industry is slated to expand by 6.1% in 2026, pushing total revenues to roughly $213.9 billion. More than half of this spending will come from two powerhouses—China and the United States—underscoring the continued dominance of these markets in shaping global gaming trends. The full report, scheduled for release on September 10, breaks down the forecast by platform and business model, offering a granular view of where growth is expected to originate.
Console sales, for instance, are predicted to represent 22% of the overall market, translating to $46.9 billion in revenue and marking a 5.1% year‑over‑year increase. A key driver behind this uplift is the highly anticipated November launch of Rockstar Games’ flagship title, Grand Theft Auto VI. Newzoo estimates that the new installment will lift full‑game spending by 17.5%, the strongest growth rate among all business models examined. Mobile gaming remains the largest segment, projected to capture 57% of total industry revenue and generate $121.1 billion.
This 6.8% rise over the previous year reflects both higher average spend per player and the accelerating adoption of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels. Recent data from a joint FastSpring‑Omdia survey reveals that 96% of development studios either already run a D2C storefront or plan to launch one, citing benefits such as stronger brand visibility, deeper customer loyalty, and richer first‑party data insights. In contrast, the PC segment is expected to hold the smallest share at 21%, equating to $45.9 billion.
Although still growing—at a projected 5.3% year‑over‑year—the pace is slower than the 12% compound annual growth rate Newzoo had forecast for 2025. The slowdown is partly attributed to market saturation in mature regions, but growth is expected to be geographically broad, with Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East‑Africa (MEA) zones leading the charge.
When it comes to monetisation models, premium and mid‑tier titles are forecast to continue sustaining revenue from full‑game purchases. Meanwhile, microtransactions are poised to reclaim their status as the most lucrative business model across platforms, driven by ongoing consumer appetite for in‑game cosmetics, battle passes, and other optional content. Player numbers are also a focal point of the outlook. Newzoo projects the global gaming audience will reach 4.07 billion by 2029, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2% after a 4.4% increase in 2026.
This modest deceleration signals that future expansion will rely more on deepening engagement and monetising existing users rather than attracting large swaths of new players. Indeed, the firm notes that “limited room to grow the base through deeper penetration; growth instead reflects the online population expanding by 3.5% to 5.97 billion.” Regional dynamics further illuminate the market’s trajectory. Emerging economies are becoming the primary engine of growth, with the Asia‑Pacific region holding the largest share of players and the MEA region posting the fastest expansion rate.
Mobile gamers are expected to number 3.10 billion in 2026, representing roughly 84% of the total player base. PC gamers will total about 977 million (26% of the market), while console enthusiasts are projected to reach 651 million (18%).
Overall, Newzoo’s analysis suggests that while the industry will continue to generate impressive revenue figures, the nature of that growth is shifting. Companies will need to focus on retaining and monetising their current audiences, leveraging D2C platforms, and delivering compelling full‑game experiences—such as the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI—that can drive higher spend per user. The report’s insights highlight a maturing market where strategic emphasis on player engagement, cross‑platform ecosystems, and data‑driven monetisation will be critical to sustaining the upward revenue trend beyond 2026.