According to Newzoo’s latest Global Games Market Report, the worldwide video‑game sector is on track to expand by 6.1% over the next year, pushing total revenues to roughly $213.9 billion in 2026. More than half of that spending will continue to be driven by two powerhouse markets—China and the United States—underscoring the enduring influence of these regions on the industry’s financial health. The full report, slated for public release on September 10, breaks down the forecast by platform, business model, and geography, offering a detailed picture of where growth is expected to originate.
Console sales are projected to represent 22% of the overall market, amounting to $46.9 billion, and are anticipated to grow at a 5.1% annual rate. A key catalyst for this uplift is the highly anticipated November debut of Rockstar Games’ next‑generation title, Grand Theft Auto VI. Newzoo predicts that the blockbuster will boost spending on full‑price games by 17.5%, marking the strongest growth among all business models in the sector.
Mobile gaming remains the dominant platform, expected to capture 57% of total revenue and generate $121.1 billion in 2026. This 6.8% year‑on‑year increase is fueled by two complementary trends: higher per‑player spend and the rapid expansion of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels. Recent research from FastSpring and Omdia indicates that 96% of game studios either already run a D2C storefront or plan to launch one soon.
Developers cite enhanced brand visibility, stronger player loyalty, and direct access to first‑party data as primary motivations for this shift, all of which can translate into higher monetisation efficiency. In contrast, the PC segment is projected to hold the smallest slice of the market at 21%, delivering $45.9 billion in revenue. While still growing—Newzoo forecasts a 5.3% increase year‑over‑year—PC’s growth rate is expected to decelerate compared with its historic compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12% that was projected for 2025.
Despite the slower pace, the PC ecosystem will continue to benefit from a geographically diverse expansion, with notable gains anticipated across Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East‑Africa (MEA) regions. When it comes to business models, premium and mid‑tier titles are expected to sustain the bulk of full‑game revenue, while microtransactions are poised to reclaim the top spot as the most lucrative model overall. This shift reflects a broader industry trend where players are willing to spend on both high‑quality, one‑time purchases and ongoing in‑game purchases that enhance the gameplay experience.
Player numbers are also a focal point of Newzoo’s outlook. The total global gamer population is projected to grow to 4.07 billion by 2029, representing a compound annual growth rate of 3.2% after a 4.4% increase in 2026. However, the pace of player acquisition is expected to slow, prompting analysts to note that future growth will rely more on retaining and monetising existing users rather than continually expanding the base.
Regional dynamics further illustrate where the industry’s momentum will concentrate. Emerging markets, particularly within the Asia‑Pacific corridor, remain the largest source of new players, while the Middle East and Africa are experiencing the fastest growth rates. Mobile gamers alone are estimated to number 3.10 billion in 2026, accounting for 84% of the total gaming audience.
PC gamers are projected to reach 977 million (about 26% of the market), and console enthusiasts are expected to number around 651 million, representing 18% of all players. Penetration metrics suggest a modest rise from 61.5% to 62% of the global online population engaging in gaming by 2026.
Newzoo emphasizes that the room for expanding the overall base through deeper market penetration is limited; instead, growth will be driven by the online population itself expanding by roughly 3.5% to an estimated 5.97 billion internet users. In summary, the upcoming year promises a robust yet nuanced expansion for the gaming industry.
While total revenues are set to surpass the $200 billion mark, the composition of that growth will be shaped by platform shifts, the resurgence of microtransaction revenue, and the strategic importance of direct‑to‑consumer channels. The launch of Grand Theft Auto VI stands out as a marquee event likely to accelerate full‑price game spending, while the continued dominance of mobile gaming underscores the sector’s adaptability to evolving consumer habits. As the market matures, developers and publishers will need to focus increasingly on deepening engagement with existing players, leveraging data‑driven insights, and tailoring experiences to a globally diverse audience.