2016 Global Games Market Report: An Overview of Trends & Insights

The 2016 Global Games Market Report provides a comprehensive analysis of the international gaming landscape, offering revenue projections and trend forecasts for the 2015–2019 period. The primary thesis posits that the industry is undergoing a fundamental shift toward community-centric engagement, where gaming has evolved into a primary form of entertainment that transcends traditional hardware boundaries. By synthesizing proprietary data with external research, the report evaluates market performance across various geographic regions, device segments, and screen types.

Key findings indicate that the global games market reached $99.6 billion in 2016, representing an 8.5% year-on-year growth. The Asia-Pacific region remains the dominant market, accounting for 47% of global revenues and experiencing 10.7% growth. Mobile gaming emerged as a critical driver, generating $36.9 billion—or 37% of the total market—with a significant 21.3% year-on-year increase. While virtual reality is identified as a significant technological development, the analysis concludes that its near-term financial impact will be marginal, with revenues largely absorbed into existing PC, console, and mobile segments.

The report highlights the rising influence of esports, noting that traditional media companies are increasingly investing in the sector to capture millennial audiences. Furthermore, the data reveals a trend toward "games as a service," where developers prioritize community management and live-streaming integration. The top 20 countries, led by China and the United States, account for nearly 90% of total global game revenues. The methodology relies on a multi-source data aggregation approach, providing a granular look at market segments, including smartphone, tablet, handheld, and PC/console gaming, to assist industry stakeholders in strategic decision-making.