Newzoo Lifts 2026 Global Games Market Forecast to $213.9bn, Pins Growth on GTA 6 Launch

Newzoo has raised its 2026 forecast for the global games market to $213.9 billion, a 6.1% year-on-year increase, with the analytics firm pinning much of the upside on the November launch of Grand Theft Auto 6.

According to the firm's Global Games Market Report, mobile is still expected to hold the largest platform share at 57%, reaching $121.1 billion — a 6.8% year-on-year rise driven by higher player spending and the spread of direct-to-consumer storefronts. Console revenue is forecast at $46.9 billion, up 5.1%, with PC accounting for the remainder.

Newzoo singles out GTA 6 as the main driver of full-game spending, which it expects to climb 17.5% — what it calls the "strongest growth of any business model." That console bump lines up with the company's earlier note that GTA 6 pre-orders alone generated an estimated $260 million globally in their first week.

The full Global Games Market Report is scheduled to be published on September 10, alongside the firm's PC and Console Gaming Report.