The PC gaming segment is poised for remarkable expansion in the years ahead, both in terms of revenue and audience engagement, as highlighted in a recent report by analytics firm Newzoo. This extensive 80-page document delves into the current landscape of not only PC gaming but also the console market, revealing several key insights.
Growth Projections
- Newzoo forecasts an average annual revenue growth of 6.6% for the PC segment between 2025 and 2028. In contrast, the console segment is expected to see a more modest increase of 4.4% annually.
- By 2028, the combined revenue from both console and PC gaming is projected to exceed 3.7 billion, with PC games accounting for just over half of this total for the first time in 13 years. This is a significant leap from the estimated .3 billion generated by both segments at the end of 2025.
Revenue Streams
- Microtransactions currently dominate the PC segment, contributing 48% of its revenue in 2025. In contrast, the console market relies more heavily on game sales, which make up half of its revenue.
- Interestingly, last year, just 20 games were responsible for two-thirds of console revenue across six major markets, including the USA, UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France.
Audience Expansion
- The PC gaming audience is expected to grow to 966 million by the end of 2026, surpassing the one billion mark by 2028, with significant contributions from China and other Asian countries.
- Meanwhile, the console gaming audience is projected to increase from 662 million in 2026 to 688 million by 2028.
Gaming Habits
- In 2025, gamers spent 1% less time on console and PC games compared to 2024. Of their gaming time, nearly half (48%) was dedicated to PCs, while 34% was spent on PlayStation and 18% on Xbox.
- More than half (54%) of total playtime in 2025 was devoted to games older than six years, with 33% on titles aged one to five years, and only 13% on new releases.
- There is a noticeable trend among PC users gravitating towards less mainstream titles. In 2023, 33% of playtime was spent on games outside the top 20; this figure increased to 36% in 2024 and reached 42% in 2025. A similar trend is observed in the console market.
- Popular gaming IPs in terms of playtime in 2025 included Roblox, Fortnite, and Call of Duty, showcasing the enduring appeal of these franchises.
Source:
Newzoo
