Analytics Firm Newzoo Predicts Global Video Game Market Will Set Revenue Record in 2026 Driven by GTA VI

According to analytics firm Newzoo, the global video game market is projected to set a revenue record in 2026, with worldwide spending expected to hit $213.9 billion. Analysts attribute a significant portion of this growth to the highly anticipated release of GTA VI from Rockstar Games. Previous projections suggest the title could earn between $3.25 billion and $5.2 billion by the end of its debut week alone.

Newzoo anticipates that console game sales revenue for physical and digital editions will surge by 17.5% due to GTA VI, outpacing all other business models for the year. Overall console game revenue—incorporating editions sales and other sources—is expected to climb 5.1% to reach $46.9 billion. Meanwhile, PC game revenue is forecasted to hit $45.9 billion with a 5.3% increase, and mobile games are projected to generate $121.1 billion, representing a 6.8% growth.

Regionally, the Asia-Pacific market is expected to lead in total spending at $100.7 billion, up 6%, followed by North America at $56.9 billion. Spending will experience its fastest growth in the Middle East and Africa, rising 10.3% to $8.5 billion. Globally, the number of gamers is projected to climb to 3.7 billion by the end of 2026, and eventually reach 4.07 billion by 2029. Current breakdowns indicate that 3.1 billion people play on mobile devices occasionally, alongside 977 million playing on platforms including PCs, and 651 million playing on consoles.