9.4% Growth for Global Games Market

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
The global games market is projected to grow by 9.4% in 2015, increasing from €74.6 billion to €81.6 billion.
02
China is expected to surpass the United States in 2015 to become the world’s largest games market by revenue, reaching this milestone one year earlier than previously anticipated.
03
PC and Mac remain the most popular gaming platforms, commanding a 37% share of the global market.
04
Smartphones and smartwatches represent the fastest-growing segment, achieving a year-on-year growth rate of 21%.
05
The entertainment screen segment, which includes TV, consoles, and VR, holds a 27% market share.
06
While handheld console usage is declining by 16%, the shift toward tablet gaming has increased by 27%, contributing to a 14% overall growth for the combined 'floating screen' segment.

Summary

The global games market is projected to experience significant expansion in 2015, with revenues expected to rise from €74.6 billion to €81.6 billion. This represents a year-on-year growth rate of 9.4%. A notable shift in the industry landscape is the anticipated emergence of China as the world’s largest gaming market by revenue, surpassing the United States one year earlier than previously forecasted.

Market performance varies significantly by platform, with the computer screen—encompassing PC and Mac—remaining the dominant segment, accounting for 37% of total market share. The entertainment screen, which includes televisions, consoles, and virtual reality, holds a 27% share. While the handheld console segment is experiencing a decline of 16%, this is being offset by a 27% increase in tablet gaming. Combined, these mobile and portable devices represent a 14% growth in the floating screen category. Meanwhile, the personal screen segment, consisting of smartphones and smartwatches, serves as the fastest-growing area of the industry, recording a 21% year-on-year increase.

These findings are based on projections from the 2015 Global Games Report, which provides a comprehensive outlook on industry trends and revenue forecasts through 2018. The data highlights a clear transition in consumer behavior toward mobile and personal device gaming, alongside a major realignment of regional market dominance.