Right now, for many ambitious entrepreneurs, the games industry is a market they’re looking to break into. In 2026, this booming area of entertainment is still full of potential, especially given the new trends that are emerging and the rise in the number of avid gamers on the planet.
With revenues of around $197 billion in 2025, gaming looks set to kick even further in the coming years. As such, we’re seeing an array of new businesses and bright startups. These aspirational companies with big aims are bringing out new technologies, they’re combining fitness and gaming, they’re developing hit mobile games, and more. As such, the games industry is in a good place.
The rise of this booming industry can also be highlighted by recent statistics. It’s worth noting that findings do tend to vary, but on the whole, there’s more than enough information out there to suggest that the games industry is capable of experiencing further growth in the near future. With that in mind, below we highlight some fascinating statistics, many of which showcase just how far this alluring category of entertainment has come.
There are approximately 3.32 to 3.51 billion gamers
People aren’t eating out as much these days or staying in luxurious hotels. As such, some businesses in this area are struggling to get enough people through the door. However, for gaming companies, there are billions of consumers to potentially connect with. According to recent research, there are approximately 3.32 to 3.51 billion gamers worldwide, highlighting just how appealing gaming is right now. For the variety of gaming-related businesses on the planet, there is always an audience to target.
Cloud gaming is growing
In the same way people watch Netflix shows after scrolling through detailed libraries and unwind with movie marathons thanks to Hulu’s top selection of releases in a neat location, cloud gaming offers a similar type of convenience, given the array of options on offer. For gamers, there is no need for expensive hardware and hour-long downloads. Instead, they can enjoy options like Xbox Game Pass and explore a service with loads of games to play. As a result of this, cloud gaming is rapidly growing, with the market on track to reach revenues of $23.79 billion according to some projections. One thing’s for sure, for many businesses in the space, cloud gaming is an offering they’re following closely.
Shooter games reign supreme
Although sports-themed titles are enthralling and open-world adventure products are stunning, shooter games are the most popular titles out there, thanks to releases like Battlefield 6 and Fortnite. Holding 29% of the market, gamers can’t resist showcasing their sharpshooting skills in tense clashes.
Mobile gaming generated around $108 billion in 2025
These days, mobile gaming is massive. Players are downloading products in the App Store like Candy Crush Saga, before exploring DraftKings online slots like Rainforest Fortunes. Its convenient and more affordable package compared to other leading platforms out there makes mobile gaming a tempting proposition for people. As such, numerous publishers have recorded notable growth in recent years, resulting in revenues of around $108 billion in 2025.
Mobile is the biggest contributor
Following on from the last point, the $108 billion generated by mobile gaming makes it the largest contributor among leading gaming platforms. While many people regard console gaming as the best around, mobile gaming continues to outdo it. In fact, according to research, the mobile category has a 55% market share, highlighting just how much of an appetite there is for handheld gaming adventures in the modern environment.
