The global games market is projected to exceed $213.9 billion in 2026, representing a 6.1% year-over-year increase. According to Newzoo's preliminary data from the Global Games Market Report, scheduled for full publication on September 10, over half of consumer spending originates from China and the United States. This update follows the historic milestone reached in 2025, when the games market broke through $200 billion, confirming a consistent expansion trajectory.

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Mobile and Console: Two Different Engines

Mobile remains the dominant platform, accounting for 57% of market share with revenues expected to reach $121.1 billion, a 6.8% increase. This growth is driven by higher per-player spending and the rise of direct-to-consumer (D2C) channels. A survey by FastSpring and Omdia found that 96% of studios now operate or plan to launch a D2C web store, motivated by improved brand visibility and better access to first-party customer data. Console revenue is forecast at $46.9 billion (22% of the market), up 5.1%. The key driver is Grand Theft Auto VI, whose November launch is expected to push full-game spending to 17.5%, identified by Newzoo as the business model with the strongest growth.

Slowing Player Base Growth

On PC, market share remains the lowest at 21%, with revenues projected at $45.9 billion and a 5.3% growth rate, down from the estimated 12% CAGR for 2025. Growth is expected to be geographically broad, led by Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East/Africa. However, demographic dynamics are shifting: player growth is expected to slow from 4.4% in 2026 to a 3.2% CAGR by 2029, when the global player base will reach 4.07 billion. Newzoo notes that there is limited room to grow the base through deeper penetration; future growth will depend increasingly on retaining and monetizing existing audiences rather than adding new players. Mobile players are estimated to represent 84% of the total (3.10 billion), followed by PC with 977 million and console with 651 million.