According to Newzoo’s latest Global Games Market Report, the worldwide video‑game sector is set to expand by roughly 6.1% in 2026, pushing total revenue to an estimated $213.9 billion. More than half of this spending will be concentrated in just two markets—China and the United States—underscoring the continued dominance of these economies in driving consumer demand for interactive entertainment. The full report, scheduled for release on September 10, breaks down the forecast across platforms, business models, and regional dynamics. Console hardware and software sales are projected to account for 22% of the overall market, translating to about $46.9 billion in revenue.
This represents a modest 5.1% increase over the previous year, reflecting steady growth in console adoption and a healthy pipeline of high‑profile releases. One of the most notable catalysts identified by Newzoo is the November 2026 launch of Rockstar Games’ long‑awaited title Grand Theft Auto VI. The company predicts that the new installment will lift full‑game spending by an impressive 17.5%, making it the strongest growth driver among all existing business models.
This surge is expected to ripple through the console segment and also boost ancillary sales such as downloadable content, premium add‑ons, and related merchandise. Mobile gaming remains the heavyweight of the industry, projected to capture the largest share of the market at 57%—or roughly $121.1 billion in 2026.
The sector’s growth rate of 6.8% year‑on‑year is being driven by several converging trends. First, players are willing to spend more per user, a pattern that reflects both the maturation of mobile titles and the increasing sophistication of in‑app monetisation strategies.
Second, the rise of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels is giving developers greater control over pricing, promotions, and player data, thereby enhancing revenue potential. A recent survey conducted by FastSpring and Omdia supports this shift toward D2C. The study found that 96% of game studios either already operate or plan to launch their own online storefronts. Studios cite improved brand visibility, stronger customer loyalty, and richer first‑party data as primary motivations for moving away from third‑party marketplaces and establishing a direct relationship with their audience.
In contrast, the PC platform is expected to hold the smallest slice of the market at 21%, amounting to $45.9 billion. While still growing—at an estimated 5.3% year‑on‑year—PC growth is slowing compared with the 12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) that Newzoo projected for 2025.
The slowdown is attributed to market saturation in mature regions and heightened competition from mobile and console titles. When it comes to business models, premium and mid‑tier releases are forecast to continue sustaining revenue from full‑game purchases.
However, microtransactions are poised to reclaim their position as the dominant monetisation method across all platforms. The resurgence of microtransactions is linked to the broader industry trend of delivering ongoing content updates and live‑service experiences that keep players engaged and spending over longer periods.
Geographically, PC growth is expected to be broadly distributed, with particular momentum in the Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East‑Africa (MEA) regions. These markets are benefitting from expanding internet infrastructure, rising disposable incomes, and a youthful demographic that is highly receptive to gaming. Player base growth is projected to decelerate in the coming years. While the total number of gamers is expected to increase by 4.4% in 2026, the compound annual growth rate from 2026 through 2029 is estimated at just 3.2%.
By the end of the forecast horizon, the global player population is anticipated to reach approximately 4.07 billion. Newzoo notes that future expansion will rely increasingly on retaining and monetising existing players rather than on acquiring new ones, a shift that will place greater emphasis on engagement, community building, and personalised experiences. Emerging markets are playing an outsized role in the industry’s growth trajectory. The Asia‑Pacific region remains the largest contributor, while the Middle East and Africa are expanding at the fastest pace, driven by rapid mobile adoption and improving connectivity.
Mobile gamers alone are projected to number 3.10 billion in 2026, representing 84% of the total player base. PC gamers are expected to reach 977 million (about 26% of all players), and console enthusiasts will number roughly 651 million, accounting for 18% of the global audience.
Overall player penetration is slated to rise marginally from 61.5% to 62% in 2026. This modest increase reflects the limited room for growth through deeper market penetration; instead, the industry’s expansion will be fueled by the overall growth of the online population, which is projected to climb 3.5% to 5.97 billion people worldwide.
In summary, Newzoo’s outlook paints a picture of a maturing yet still dynamic gaming ecosystem. While growth rates are tempering, the sector remains robust, bolstered by flagship releases like Grand Theft Auto VI, the continued dominance of mobile platforms, and the strategic shift toward direct‑to‑consumer relationships. Developers and publishers will need to focus on sustaining player engagement, leveraging data‑driven insights, and tailoring experiences to a diversifying global audience to capture the next wave of revenue.