Fueled by strong year-on-year growth from PC game sales, the gaming industry crossed the $200 billion threshold in 2025, setting a new milestone across the globe. The PC gaming market was spurred by multiple game releases throughout 2025 and was not exclusively focused on any one title.
Along with the release of several games across PC, console, and mobile platforms, 2025 also marked the arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo’s current-gen console has sold over 15 million units worldwide within its first seven months of availability. Although the Switch 2 will undergo a price increase starting September 1, Nintendo has introduced new console bundles to offset some costs ahead of the planned move.
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2025’s Gaming Industry Saw Record-Setting Revenue
Despite 2025 also being marred by continued mass layoffs, the gaming industry hit a historical record compared to previous years. According to a June 18 report by market research firm Newzoo, the global gaming industry crossed the $200 billion threshold for the first time, with $201.6 billion in revenue. The $201.6 billion total was divided up between PC, console, and mobile gaming. Although mobile gaming made up the majority at $113.8 billion (56%), the PC gaming market had the strongest year-on-year growth at 12%. PC gaming accumulated $43.6 billion throughout 2025 largely due to titles across multiple price tiers. Newzoo stated that AAA titles like Battlefield 6 and Monster Hunter Wilds, alongside the award-winning RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, are some games that contributed to the PC market’s growth. Expedition 33 celebrated its first anniversary in April 2026 with a free content update.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)
By comparison, console gaming revenues reached $44.7 billion, a 2.8% year-on-year growth. Although the Switch 2 was a strong contributor to the console market in 2025, Newzoo stated that console gaming was “held back by softer live-service performance and weaker-than-expected Nintendo ecosystem revenue.” Despite console gamers pulling back on microtransactions, Newzoo stated that subscription services like Xbox Game Pass contributed 10.2% of year-on-year revenue growth.
However, Newzoo cautioned that the gaming industry will run into some headwinds throughout 2026 and beyond. This is primarily due to the ongoing DRAM shortage crisis, which has caused the prices of RAM, solid-state drives, and other components to skyrocket. PC, console, and mobile gaming consumers will continue to experience rising costs throughout the year. For PCs in particular, the rising costs of hardware will be a steep barrier to entry for new builders to overcome. Additionally, the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S have already seen price increases, while the Switch 2 has an imminent price hike starting September 1. Various Android devices have also seen price jumps throughout the year, as smartphone shipments fell 6% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026.
Find the odd one out before the timer hits zero.
Find the odd one out before the timer hits zero.
Easy (15s)Medium (10s)Hard (5s)Permadeath (5s)
Newzoo also predicted that Grand Theft Auto 6 will serve as a major catalyst for console gaming and the entire gaming industry once it arrives on November 19. With GTA 6 pre-orders set to begin June 25, it remains to be seen how many copies of Rockstar Games’ upcoming title will be sold heading into the holiday shopping season.
Source: PC Gamer