In July, the video‑game market was largely driven by a wave of remakes and re‑releases, and the data compiled by analytics firm Newzoo highlights how this trend translated into tangible revenue gains across both PC and console platforms. The standout performer was Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, which made an impressive debut by securing the second‑highest revenue position on PC and the fourth‑highest spot on consoles, underscoring the enduring financial appeal of revitalised legacy titles. This marks the first time the Assassin’s Creed series has ventured into a full‑scale remake, and Newzoo’s senior market analyst Mert Şahin pointed out that the game’s strong showing is a clear indicator that established IPs can still generate significant sales when they receive a thoughtful overhaul. “The performance of Black Flag Resynced demonstrates the commercial potential that can remain with established titles,” Şahin explained, emphasizing that a well‑executed remake can breathe new life into a classic while preserving the core experience that fans originally loved.
According to Şahin, the success of remakes lies in their ability to blend the familiar with meaningful enhancements. By updating graphics, refining gameplay mechanics, and adding modern quality‑of‑life features, developers create a product that feels both nostalgic and fresh. This dual appeal attracts long‑time fans eager for an upgraded experience and also invites newcomers who may have missed the original release. In the case of Black Flag Resynced, the combination of a beloved pirate‑themed adventure and contemporary visual fidelity resonated strongly with both demographics, driving robust sales across the board.
When placed within Newzoo’s broader year‑to‑date rankings, Black Flag Resynced earned the ninth position on the Top 20 new games list by revenue, a notable achievement given the fierce competition from both brand‑new releases and other remastered titles. By contrast, another notable entry, Halo: Campaign Evolved, settled at number twenty, illustrating the varied performance of different franchise strategies.
The month also saw significant activity from the Call of Duty franchise, albeit through a different approach. Ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 were quietly introduced to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, respectively. These straightforward ports—essentially the original games made compatible with newer hardware—managed to capture the sixth and first places on the console revenue charts. Şahin remarked that while Black Flag Resynced showcases the upside of a substantial remake, the Call of Duty results highlight that even minimal updates can generate considerable commercial momentum when the brand already enjoys strong recognition.
“This illustrates two distinct pathways for leveraging a back‑catalogue,” Şahin said. “On one hand, a deep remake can reposition an older title for a modern audience, delivering fresh value and attracting new players. On the other hand, a simple re‑release or port can reignite demand with far fewer development resources, capitalising on existing brand equity.” Beyond these high‑profile franchises, other titles also made notable appearances in July’s revenue charts.
Palworld, a quirky creature‑collecting survival game, exited its early‑access phase and entered the PC revenue rankings at the fifth spot. Newzoo highlighted that Palworld’s business model—being a single‑purchase game without microtransactions or paid DLC—meant that most of its earnings stemmed from new players discovering the title for the first time.
The game’s full launch also secured it the nineteenth position on Newzoo’s year‑to‑date Top 20 new games by revenue, underscoring the viability of a straightforward, all‑in‑one purchase model in a market often dominated by live‑service monetisation. The monthly active user (MAU) metrics for consoles also revealed interesting movement. Grand Theft Auto 5 climbed two places in the console MAU rankings, a shift Newzoo attributes to heightened interest in the upcoming GTA 6, spurred by pre‑order activity and the release of the new “The Kortz Centre Heist” mission on GTA Online.
This example demonstrates how real‑world events—such as pre‑order announcements and in‑game content drops—can directly boost player engagement and, by extension, revenue. Overall, Şahin summed up July’s landscape by noting that publishers have multiple levers to generate fresh momentum around established franchises. “Timely in‑game events and real‑world marketing pushes lift engagement, while remakes, re‑releases, and lifecycle transitions open new commercial opportunities across both PC and console ecosystems,” he said.
The data shared exclusively with GamesIndustry.biz includes detailed rankings for the top 20 PC games by revenue across major markets—including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy—for June 2026, as well as the corresponding top 20 console titles. These charts provide a granular view of how different strategies—whether deep remakes, simple ports, or brand‑new launches—perform in varied regional contexts, offering valuable insights for developers and publishers aiming to maximise the lifespan and profitability of their game libraries.