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 is expected to originate from two powerhouse markets—China and the United States—underscoring the continued dominance of these regions in shaping industry trends. The full report, slated for release on September 10, breaks down the forecast by platform, business model, and geography, offering a granular view of where growth will come from and what challenges may lie ahead. Console sales, for instance, are projected to generate $46.9 billion, representing about 22 % of the total market and reflecting a 5.1 % year‑over‑year increase.
A key driver behind this uptick is the highly anticipated November release of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto VI. Newzoo estimates that the new title will lift full‑game spending by an impressive 17.5 %, marking the strongest growth rate among all business models in the sector. Mobile gaming remains the largest slice of the pie, accounting for an estimated 57 % of global revenue and reaching $121.1 billion.
This segment is expected to grow 6.8 % from the previous year, buoyed by higher average spend per player and the rapid expansion of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels. A recent survey conducted by FastSpring and Omdia revealed that 96 % of game studios either already run or plan to launch their own D2C web stores. Developers cite enhanced brand visibility, stronger player loyalty, and richer access to first‑party data as primary motivations for moving away from traditional marketplace reliance. In contrast, the PC platform is forecast to capture the smallest share of total revenue—about 21 % or $45.9 billion.
While still growing at a respectable 5.3 % year‑over‑year, this figure represents a slowdown compared with the 12 % compound annual growth rate (CAGR) Newzoo projected for 2025. The slowdown is partly attributed to market maturation and the increasing difficulty of attracting new players on a platform that has long been saturated. Nevertheless, Newzoo expects PC growth to be geographically diverse, with significant contributions from the Asia‑Pacific region, Latin America, and the Middle East‑Africa (MEA) markets.
When it comes to business models, premium and mid‑priced game releases are anticipated to continue sustaining full‑game revenue streams. Meanwhile, microtransactions are projected to reclaim the top spot as the most lucrative model, driven by the ongoing popularity of live‑service titles and the monetisation of cosmetic items, battle passes, and other in‑game purchases.
This shift highlights a broader industry trend: rather than relying solely on one‑off purchases, developers are increasingly focusing on ongoing engagement and revenue generation throughout a game’s lifecycle. Player‑base dynamics also feature prominently in Newzoo’s outlook.
The total number of gamers worldwide is expected to climb to 4.07 billion by 2029, translating to a 3.2 % CAGR from 2026 onward. However, the pace of growth is set to decelerate, dropping from a 4.4 % year‑over‑year increase in 2026 to the slower long‑term rate. This slowdown suggests that future expansion will hinge more on retaining and monetising existing players rather than on acquiring fresh audiences. Geographically, growth is increasingly concentrated in emerging markets.
The Asia‑Pacific region remains the largest contributor to overall revenue, while the Middle East and Africa are projected to expand at the fastest rate. Mobile gaming, in particular, will dominate player counts, with an estimated 3.10 billion mobile gamers in 2026—about 84 % of the total gaming population.
PC gamers are forecast to number around 977 million (26 % of the total), and console players are expected to reach roughly 651 million (18 %). Player penetration—the proportion of the online population that engages in gaming—is predicted to edge up slightly from 61.5 % to 62 % in 2026.
Newzoo notes that there is limited headroom for dramatic increases in penetration; instead, growth will largely reflect the overall expansion of the global online population, which is expected to rise by 3.5 % to approximately 5.97 billion people. In summary, Newzoo’s forecast paints a picture of a robust yet maturing industry. While revenue continues to climb, the drivers of that growth are shifting toward deeper monetisation of existing users, the proliferation of D2C storefronts, and the sustained popularity of mobile platforms. The upcoming launch of Grand Theft Auto VI stands out as a marquee event that could temporarily accelerate full‑game spending, but the longer‑term trajectory will depend on how well developers can innovate within live‑service ecosystems, harness first‑party data, and tap into the still‑growing markets of Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and the MEA region.