adminThe global games market is forecast to grow 6.1% year over year to $213.9 billion in 2026, according to Newzoo. More than half of consumer spending is expected to come from China and the US. The projections point to different growth patterns across mobile, console, and PC, while the November launch of Grand Theft Auto 6 is expected to support spending on full games.
Image credit: Rockstar Games
Global games market forecast by platform
Mobile is projected to remain the largest platform, accounting for 57% of the market and generating $121.1 billion. That would be a 6.8% increase from the previous year, supported by higher player spending and the expansion of direct-to-consumer (D2C) platforms.
Console revenue is forecast to reach $46.9 billion, or 22% of the market, up 5.1%. Newzoo expects full-game spending to rise by 17.5%, the strongest projected growth among business models. The November release of Grand Theft Auto 6 is expected to contribute to that increase. Premium and mid-priced releases are also forecast to help sustain full-game revenue.
PC is projected to generate $45.9 billion, representing a 21% market share. Its expected 5.3% year-on-year growth is below Newzoo’s 12% annual compound growth rate estimate for 2025. The firm expects PC growth to span regions, led by Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa (MEA).
For readers comparing platforms, these shares describe different measures: revenue indicates market value, while player totals show the number of people using each platform. They should not be treated as mutually exclusive audiences.
Spending trends and D2C platforms
Microtransactions are expected to regain their position as the largest business model, even as premium and mid-priced releases contribute to full-game revenue. Newzoo’s forecast suggests that both ongoing in-game purchases and major releases will remain important parts of the market.
A survey by FastSpring and Omdia found that 96% of studios either operate or plan to operate a D2C web store. Reported motivations include greater brand visibility, stronger customer loyalty, and improved access to first-party customer data and insights. For studios assessing D2C options, these findings highlight the potential value of direct customer relationships alongside the operational considerations of running a store.
Player growth and regional outlook
Newzoo expects player growth to slow from a 4.4% year-on-year increase in 2026 to a 3.2% compound annual growth rate through 2029. By that year, the global player base is projected to reach 4.07 billion. The company expects future market expansion to rely increasingly on retaining and generating revenue from existing audiences, rather than simply adding new players.
Growth is currently concentrated in emerging markets. Asia-Pacific is the largest region, while the Middle East and Africa are expanding the fastest. Newzoo forecasts 3.10 billion mobile players in 2026, equal to 84% of all players. The estimates for PC and console are 977 million (26%) and 651 million (18%), respectively.
Player penetration is expected to edge up from 61.5% to 62% in 2026. Newzoo points to a 3.5% expansion in the online population, reaching 5.97 billion, as a key factor behind growth, with less room to expand through deeper penetration alone.
What the 2026 forecast indicates
The full Global Games Market Report is scheduled for publication on September 10. Until then, the figures should be read as forecasts rather than final market results. Overall, the global games market outlook combines mobile-led revenue, renewed momentum for full-game spending, and a growing focus on retaining players as audience growth moderates.
