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MiDiA Research Global Games Forecasts 2025–2031

The global games market has transitioned into a phase of structural maturity, with 2025 revenues projected at $236.9 billion. While this represents a 4.6% year-on-year increase, the growth is essentially flat when adjusted for inflation, signaling an end to the era of consistent double-digit expansion. Significant industry catalysts, specifically the anticipated launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 and the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, are expected to drive a recovery in hardware and software sales. However, these gains will likely be concentrated among market leaders rather than lifting the broader industry. By 2031, the global player base is forecast to reach 4.02 billion, with long-term growth sustained by premium game sales and advertising as the live-service sector faces saturation. Software revenue continues to be dominated by in-game spending, which accounts for 69% of the market in 2025. Despite this dominance, premium full-game purchases are regaining momentum as consumers pivot toward high-quality single-player experiences. The subscription sector, while reaching $11.8 billion in 2024, is also maturing; future revenue in this segment will likely depend on price adjustments and the introduction of ad-supported tiers rather than rapid user acquisition. This shift reflects a broader trend where the industry is moving away from saturated multi-game models toward more traditional premium monetization and the expansion of game-based intellectual property into film and television. Geographically, the Asia Pacific region maintains its position as the largest market by player count and leads in in-game revenue. A significant shift is expected by 2028, as premium game revenue in Asia Pacific is projected to overtake North America, driven by the rising success of high-end titles in China. While North America currently retains its lead in full-game purchase revenue, the global landscape is increasingly defined by regional cultural adaptation and the porting of legacy titles to new hardware platforms. These dynamics suggest a future where growth is driven by strategic price increases and regional expansion rather than the explosive user growth seen in previous decades.