adminPC gaming revenue could surpass console revenue by 2028, according to Newzoo’s latest market forecast. The report projects a 6.6% compound annual growth rate for PC from 2025 to 2028, compared with 4.4% for consoles. These are forecasts rather than guarantees, but they point to steady growth in the PC segment.
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PC gaming revenue and the wider market outlook
Newzoo estimates that combined PC and console revenue reached $88.3 billion in 2025, a 7% year-over-year increase. The firm forecasts $94.3 billion in 2026 and $103.7 billion by 2028. It describes the 2025 rise as the first notable expansion since the pandemic slowdown, with more measured growth expected in the following years.
Unlike consoles, which can see spending shifts around hardware generations and upgrades, PC growth has tended to be gradual. For readers comparing market forecasts, it is useful to look at the period covered and the growth rate for each platform, not just the projected total.
Premium games and a growing PC audience
Premium games accounted for 29% of PC revenue in 2025 and were the segment’s main growth driver. Revenue across AAA, AA and indie releases rose 11.8%. Engagement also broadened beyond the biggest hits: the share of playtime outside the top 20 games increased from 33% in 2022 to 42% in 2025.
Newzoo expects the PC player base to exceed one billion in 2028, with regional expansion—particularly in East Asia—contributing to that growth. The report points to increased Steam adoption in Japan as well as activity across the region. It notes a difference between markets: China’s growth is more strongly associated with the number of players, while South Korea and Japan have higher average revenue per paying user (ARPU).
For anyone assessing these trends, player numbers and spending per player are distinct measures. A larger audience does not necessarily mean the same level of revenue growth in every country.
Console revenue relies on major releases and hardware
Premium titles generated about half of console revenue in 2025, up 12% year over year. Games priced above $50 made up nearly 80% of premium revenue. By contrast, microtransaction revenue edged down, which Newzoo links to pressure across some live-service games. Subscription revenue grew modestly, mainly due to price increases and customers moving to higher tiers.
The report characterizes consoles as more dependent on blockbuster releases and hardware than PCs. Mature markets, including North America and Japan, continued to record higher spending per player. These figures show why platform-wide revenue can be influenced by release schedules and hardware cycles as well as player demand.
Pricing trends across PC and console
In the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain and Italy, premium spending increased in 2025 even as playtime declined. Newzoo identifies the $30–$50 range as the fastest-growing premium price segment and a pricing sweet spot across platforms.
PC pricing is more varied, with lower-priced games particularly popular. In 2025, 26 PC games priced under $30 each generated more than $5 million in revenue, compared with 17 games in 2024. New releases in the under-$30 category recorded 156% growth, according to the report. When comparing sales trends, keep back-catalogue games separate from new releases because the two groups can move differently.
How Game Pass affects Xbox sales charts
Games priced above $50 remained the most popular on consoles, although this pattern has flattened on some platforms, including Xbox. Newzoo’s Ben Porter says Game Pass can make it easier for subscribers to try different games. However, when a title launches on the service on day one, subscription access may affect how its sales appear in rankings, because some play is reflected through subscriptions rather than individual purchases.
Porter also notes that Game Pass availability may help a game attract players and conversation, potentially supporting interest on other platforms. As a result, raw sales charts do not necessarily capture every form of engagement or revenue associated with a release.
What the PC gaming revenue forecast means
Roblox was the most-played franchise across PC and console in 2025, with playtime rising 52%. Fortnite ranked second and Call of Duty third. Battlefield returned to the top 20, while a number of established franchises saw declines.
Overall, the PC gaming revenue forecast reflects steady projected growth, a broader PC audience and strong premium-game performance. Console revenue remains substantial, but its dependence on hardware and major releases creates a different pattern. Treat the 2028 figures as projections, and consider revenue, player counts, pricing and subscription access together when interpreting changes across the market.
