The global games market reached $199.4 billion in 2024, but growth is projected to slow to 0.9% in 2025 due to the delay of Grand Theft Auto VI into 2026.
See it on page 7In-game spending now drives 77% of total industry revenue, while physical media is expected to decline to just 2% of the market by 2026.
See it on page 9The launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025 is expected to create a $7–8 billion content opportunity with significant potential for increased in-game monetization.
See it on page 16Mobile gaming maintains the largest market share at 58%, though PC gaming recorded the strongest growth in 2024 at 5.7%.
See it on page 8Emerging markets in the Middle East and Africa are projected to grow by 6.3% in 2025, significantly outpacing growth in Western regions.
See it on page 10Publishers are increasingly mitigating rising AAA development costs by prioritizing remakes, remasters, and transmedia franchise strategies.
See it on page 32Growth opportunities in mature U.S. markets are being targeted toward underserved demographics, specifically females aged 16–24 and adults over 55.
See it on page 23The global games content and services market reached a record $199.4 billion in 2024, a 3.5% year-on-year increase that surpassed pandemic-era peaks. Despite this financial milestone, the industry faces significant structural challenges, including widespread layoffs, studio closures, and a shift toward de-risking strategies. Growth is expected to slow to 0.9% in 2025, largely due to the delay of Grand Theft Auto VI into 2026, which is projected to remove $2.7 billion from the 2025 console market. However, the industry is forecast to surpass the $200 billion threshold for the first time in 2025, with growth accelerating to 2.2% in 2026.
Key growth opportunities center on new hardware and emerging markets. The anticipated launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025 represents a $7-8 billion content opportunity, with significant potential for increased in-game monetization. Geographically, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia are expected to outperform Western markets, with the Middle East and Africa projected to grow by 6.3% in 2025. Additionally, significant headroom exists in mature markets like the U.S. by targeting underserved cohorts, specifically females aged 16-24 and adults over 55.
The industry is navigating a transition in monetization and platform dynamics. In-game spending accounts for 77% of total revenue, while physical media is expected to dwindle to just 2% of the market by 2026. To combat escalating AAA development costs, publishers are increasingly utilizing remakes, remasters, and transmedia franchise strategies. While mobile gaming remains the largest segment at 58% market share, PC gaming showed the strongest growth in 2024 at 5.7%. The analysis utilizes proprietary market modeling, financial KPIs, and quantitative consumer research across global regions to provide a comprehensive outlook through 2026.
