Market (Overall)·Updated Mar 17, 2026 by Ampere Analysis
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.
In-game spending now drives 77% of total industry revenue, while physical media is expected to decline to just 2% of the market by 2026.
The 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.
Mobile gaming maintains the largest market share at 58%, though PC gaming recorded the strongest growth in 2024 at 5.7%.
Emerging markets in the Middle East and Africa are projected to grow by 6.3% in 2025, significantly outpacing growth in Western regions.
Publishers are increasingly mitigating rising AAA development costs by prioritizing remakes, remasters, and transmedia franchise strategies.
Growth opportunities in mature U.S. markets are being targeted toward underserved demographics, specifically females aged 16–24 and adults over 55.
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.
In-game spending now drives 77% of total industry revenue, while physical media is expected to decline to just 2% of the market by 2026.
The 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.
Mobile gaming maintains the largest market share at 58%, though PC gaming recorded the strongest growth in 2024 at 5.7%.
Emerging markets in the Middle East and Africa are projected to grow by 6.3% in 2025, significantly outpacing growth in Western regions.
Publishers are increasingly mitigating rising AAA development costs by prioritizing remakes, remasters, and transmedia franchise strategies.
Growth opportunities in mature U.S. markets are being targeted toward underserved demographics, specifically females aged 16–24 and adults over 55.