Newzoo forecasts 3.6 billion players worldwide; PC accelerates in Asia, mobile growth slows in APAC
The global games market will generate $188.8 billion in revenues in 2025 (+3.4% YoY) from a player base of 3.6 billion people (+4.4% YoY), according to Newzoo’s newly released Global Games Market Report & Forecasts 2025. By 2028, revenues will reach $206.5 billion and players will grow to 3.9 billion.
“2025 marks a turning point,” said Michiel Buijsman, Principal Market Analyst at Newzoo. “Console is entering a new growth cycle, PC is accelerating in Asia, and mobile is adapting to maturity in its largest markets. The industry remains resilient, but the path to success now runs through smarter engagement and monetization strategies.”
Key findings
- Moderate audience growth: Games now reach 61.5% of the online population, but penetration is plateauing.
- Payers outpacing players: 1.6B paying players (+4.9% YoY), though average spend per payer is slightly declining.
- Console leads growth: Revenues up +5.5% YoY to $45.9B, driven by Switch 2, higher software prices, and major releases (Monster Hunter Wilds, Pokémon Legends: Z-A).
- PC builds momentum: $39.9B (+2.5% YoY), with growth centered in China and Japan, outpacing the West.
- Mobile slows in APAC: Still dominant at $103.0B (+2.9% YoY), but growth in Asia-Pacific drops to just +1.5%.
- Generational shift: Gen Alpha is an increasing share of the PC audience, signaling the next wave of “core gamers.”
“Our Global Games Market Report is the benchmark resource for decision-makers across publishing, platforms, and investment,” said Michelle van der Wilk-Rouhof, Newzoo CEO. “This year’s findings underline why Newzoo remains the essential partner for those navigating a maturing but opportunity-rich industry.”
The free edition of the report, which includes global forecasts through 2028, platform-level insights, and the first Special Focus Topic (Modernizing Release Windows), is available now.
Download Newzoo’s free Global Games Market Report 2025 here
The premium edition (199 pages), part of Newzoo’s Games Market Reports & Forecasts subscription, includes regional and country data for 100 markets, complete datasets, ecosystem stats, five Special Topics, and quarterly updates.
Media contact: Layla Amir-Soleymani, Head of PR and communications, press@newzoo.com