The PC & Console Gaming Report 2026
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Table of contentsIntroductionMarket trajectory1.What direction is the PC and console market heading in 2026?Attention & value allocation 2.Where do players spend time and money on PC and console?Market concentration3.Business model viability4.What happens if you are not a top-20 game?Which monetization models perform best under current dynamics?2
The PC & Console market at an inflection pointThe PC and console market is not in decline, but it is no longer the growth engine it once was. Hardware cycles are stretching, development costs are rising, and even proven franchises are no longer guaranteed to succeed. The rules that shaped the industry over the past two decades are being rewritten.What is emerging in their place is a more complex, more demanding market. Players are not spending more time playing, but they are becoming far more selective about where that time goes. Subscription models and user-generated content platforms are reshaping the relationship between studios and audiences, shifting the value proposition from ownership to ongoing engagement.In this environment, success looks different: a small, passionate team behind Clair Obscur demonstrates that craftsmanship creates resonance; Schedule 1 shows that cultural timing can be as powerful as production scale.The implication for publishers and studios is clear: scale alone no longer guarantees outcomes. Understanding where players are going, and why, has become a strategic imperative, not a research exercise. Drawing on Newzoo’s data platform, this report provides a structured analysis of the forces reshaping the market.üMarket trajectory examines overall market direction, including revenue forecasts, player growth across platforms, regional leadership patterns, and the evolving mix of premium, microtransaction, subscription, and downloadable content models.üAttention & value allocation analyzes how player time is distributed across platforms, franchises, and genres, assessing market concentration, shifts in engagement, and the competitive share available to new releases.üMarket concentration explores the depth of each platform beyond its biggest hits, evaluating long-tail expansion, lifecycle dynamics, and what determines the survival of titles outside the top tier.üBusiness model viability assesses how monetization strategies perform under current structural dynamics, comparing premium-led and microtransaction-led ecosystems, and evaluating the performance of annual and non-annual releases in a slower-growth environment.Emmanuel RosierDirector of Market IntelligenceNewzooIntroduction Executive summary3
Business model viability4Market concentration3Attention & value allocation 2Market trajectoryüPC growth remains structurally supported, with steady player expansion underpinning sustained revenue growth.üConsole growth has returned but remains premium- and cycle-driven, as hardware momentum and major releases lift spend despite limited player expansion.üRegional dynamics reinforce the split. Growth markets are driving player scale, especially on PC, often at lower ARPU, while mature markets continue to generate higher console spend but face slower demographic expansion.1üGlobal playtime has remained flat, with the top 20 titles still taking up >50% of playtime. This share is shrinking, most notably on PC.üAAA-driven genres (Shooter, Battle Royale, Sports) are seeing structural decline, with growth segments like Sandbox not fully absorbing lost hours. Sandbox audiences are less likely to play AAA games, especially annual sports and story-led single-player.üPlaytime share to new releases remained stable. Breakout hit audiences are less likely to overlap with annualized sports franchises.üTitles ranked 21+ are capturing a growing share of playtime, with PC showing the strongest shift since 2022.üPC’s long tail keeps widening, PlayStation remains more franchise-concentrated, and Xbox’s long tail benefits from Game Pass discovery, shifting playtime share more than total hours.üEnduring winners tend to be premium, progression-heavy titles with strong back-catalog performance (not just breakout launches), with RPG/Adventure over-indexing.üPlaytime is down, but premium revenue is growing across major western markets. Premium revenue is growing on PC and PlayStation, while Xbox’s more modest growth can’t offset free-to-play and Call of Duty declines.üPC is the only platform monetizing F2P effectively. Revenue held stable despite falling playtime in the west. On console, F2P revenue is dropping faster than engagement.üPremium growth is driven by sub $50 games. The $30–$50 segment leads across platforms, sub-$30 thrives on PC via breakout indies.Introduction Key takeaways4
Meet the authors of the reportBen PorterHoratiu Mitu Introduction52026 PC & Console Gaming Report Special thanks toLayla Amir-SoleymaniDanjing ZhouJelle Kooistra Sam Peevey Aleksandra DubrovskaiaLynn van den HovenEmmanuel Rosier Director of Market IntelligenceTianyi GuManager Market AnalysisZoey HuntMarket AnalystMehmet Mert ŞahinJunior Market AnalystMichiel BuijsmanPrincipal Market AnalystFrancesco Magni
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What direction is the PC and console market heading?Market trajectory1.8
Michiel BuijsmanPrincipal Market AnalystWhat direction is the PC and console market heading?In this section, we examine the scale and trajectory of the global PC and console games market. We analyze revenue trends (2015–2028F), player growth, and business model mix to understand how the market is evolving after the post-2020 slowdown.This chapter answers one key question: What direction is the PC and console market heading?All metrics are derived fromNewzoo’s Games Market Reports & Forecasts (updated February 2026).PlayersIndividuals who have played video games on PC or consoleRevenue (nominal)Consumer spending on software and services•Including: boxed and digital full-game purchases, in-game spending (microtransactions, DLC, in-game subscriptions), and console multi-game subscriptions (e.g., Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus)•Excluding: taxes, second-hand trade, advertising, hardware, B2B services, and gamblingPCGames downloaded from platforms such as Steam or the Epic Games Store, purchased physically, or played via browser, casual sites, or social networks. Steam Deck and other PC handhelds are included in PCConsoleGames played on PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo hardwareCore definitions & key notesOverview9Chapter 1Market trajectory2026 PC & Console Gaming Report
The post-2020 plateau is ending: Steady PC growth and console recovery usher in a new phase of expansionCAGR 2015 –2019CAGR 2020 –2024CAGR 2025 –2028Forecast$55.9B201520182019202020212022202320242025F2026F2027F2028F2016$57.9B$60.9B$69.6B$67.6B$80.9B$81.7B$78.6B$81.9B$82.4B$88.3B$94.3B$99.4B$103.7B201710Source: Newzoo Games Market Reports and Forecasts | Updated February 2026Global | 2015-2028F | NominalPC and console software revenues in USD billionsPC ▲ 0.8%Console ▲ 8.9%PC ▲ 3.9%Console ▼ 2.1%PC ▲ 6.6%Console ▲ 4.4%
Steam-led PC growth compounds structurally and is set to surpass console revenue by 2028, as console relies on blockbuster releasesSource: Newzoo Games Market Reports and Forecasts | Updated February 2026PC and console software revenues in USD billionsGlobal | 2015-2028F | Nominal5035403045252015$55B1052016201720152019202020212022202320242025F2026F2027F2028F201811•Eastern-Asian led global user base expansion•Growing Gen Z & Gen Alpha share of total PC players•Higher average selling prices•Valve’s ecosystem deepening beyond its storefront•Nintendo Switch 2 & first-party strength•Broad premium slate & major releases (incl. GTA VI)•Higher premium & subscription pricing•Gen-10 cycle timing (2027–2028), but limited player growthPCConsole
CAGR 2022 –2025879M878M908M936M966M994M1,020M587M617M629M645M662M677M688M2022202320242025F2026F2027F2028FSteam-driven PC growth pushes player base past one billion, while console growth moderates in a mature cycleSource: Newzoo Games Market Reports and Forecasts | Updated February 202612Yearly player growth per platformGlobal | 2022– 2028F | Not deduplicatedPC ▲ 2.1%Console ▲ 3.2%CAGR2025 –2028ForecastPC ▲ 2.9%Console ▲ 2.2%■ PC ■ Console
2082002505020403006080100120140160$180100150Average revenue per user per year (ARPU)ChinaUnited StatesSouth KoreaJapanGermanyPlayers (M)United KingdomMexicoBrazilCanadaFranceRevenueIn 2025, PC wins on player scale, console leads in average user spend, showing major regional differencesSource: Newzoo Games Market Reports and Forecasts | Updated February 2026Console revenue ($B) – 2025PC revenue ($B) – 20255060708090100110120130140150204060801001201401016020$1803040Average revenue per user per year (ARPU)United StatesJapanUnited KingdomPlayers (M)FranceCanadaItalyChinaSpainMexicoGermanyRevenue1.China: Tencent & NetEase dominate engagement and revenue2.North America: Mature, high-ARPU market with strong premium uptake3.South Korea: Publisher concentration (Nexon); RPG-heavy engagement mix4.Europe: Structurally PC-oriented with deep legacy engagement1.North America: Highest ARPU; least platform-skewed ecosystem2.Western Europe: PlayStation-led mix; multi-ecosystem strength3.Japan: #2 by revenue; Switch 2 tailwind despite weaker JPY4.China: Growing premium spend; Switch 2 grey market & PS5 momentum
48%29%20%3%Premium strengthens across platforms, but monetization models remain fundamentally differentSource: Newzoo Games Market Reports & Forecasts | Updated February 202614$1.4BIn-game subscriptions▲ 10.3% YoY$20.6BMicrotransactions▲ 10.6% YoY$12.5BPremium▲ 11.8% YoY$8.5BDownloadable content▲ 7.9% YoY27%50%18%5%$45.3B▲ 4.2% YoY$2.2BDownloadable content▲ 7.9% YoY$12.3BMicrotransactions▼ 6.3% YoY$8.2BSubscriptions▲ 5.5% YoY$22.7BPremium▲ 12.1% YoYShare of yearly PC revenues by business modelGlobal | 2025F | NominalShare of yearly console revenues by business modelGlobal | 2025F | Nominal$43.0B▲ 10.4% YoY
Extend your market trajectory analysisGames Market Reports & ForecastsTrack revenue, player, and payer trends across platforms and regions.Complete, flexible data sets to slice or combine insightsForecasts for 100 markets with revenue, players and ARPPU through 2028PC & Console player trends across 7 ecosystems: Epic Games Store, Steam, iOS, Android, PlayStation, Nintendo, and Xbox.Global Games Market Report with in-depth analysis and forecastingFind out more15
SummaryAfter five years of stagnation, revenue growth has returned, but it is being driven by structural divergence across platforms rather than broad engagement expansion.Chapter 1 | TakeawaysMarket trajectory1. PC growth is structural and scale-ledGlobal PC revenue is projected to surpass console by 2028, supported by Eastern-Asian– led player expansion and a growing Gen Z and Gen Alpha cohort that strengthens long-term engagement and ecosystem depth.2. Console growth has returned, but it is monetization- and cycle-drivenRevenue is lifted by blockbuster releases, hardware momentum, and higher premium/subscription pricing, while player growth remains limited.3. Regional dynamics reinforce the splitEmerging markets are driving player scale, especially on PC, often at lower ARPU, while mature markets such as North America and Japan continue to generate higher console spend but face slower demographic expansion.162026 PC & Console Gaming Report
Where do players spend time on PC and console?Attention & value allocation2.17
18In this section, we build on the playtime analysis from the 2023 & 2024 reports, with a sharper focus on the story behind genre movements throughout 2025. We also revisit how players and revenues are distributed across new releases, both annual and non-annual. For engagement metrics, we draw on Newzoo’s Game Performance Monitor, which covers 37 global markets (excluding China & India).For revenue metrics, we use the Game Performance Monitor’s revenue data, covering 6 markets: the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. We also bring in additional sociodemographic insights from Newzoo’s Global Gamer Study, which surveys over 70,000 people across 36 markets (including China & India).Annualized franchiseA franchise with titles that are released on a consistent yearly basisAverage overlap %Monthly average overlap indicates how much of a title’s player base has also played another target tile in any given monthOverlap IndexOverlap Index measures how much more likely the primary game’s player base is to play other titles compared to the average player on that platformFor overlap, PC coverage is for Steam-only. This means that for certain cross-platform titles like Minecraft, Roblox, and Call of Duty HQ where our primary data source includes 3rd-party launchers, overlap coverage is limited to PlayStation and Xbox. Call of Duty has been release-date adjusted for more precise attribution of its new release playtime & revenues.Overview2026 PC & Console Gaming ReportCore definitions & key notesZoey HuntMarket AnalystWhere do players spend time on PC and console?Chapter 2Attention & value allocation
19????????????Is engagement growing, declining, or stable?Chapter 2 | Attention & value allocation2026 PC & Console Gaming Report
Overall playtime was stable in 2025 as a contraction on consoles was offset by PC growth Source: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)Playtime distribution by platformPC, PlayStation, Xbox | 2022-2025202024-2025 deltaXboxPlayStationPC▼ 3%▼ 4%▲ 3%20%32%47%202220%30%50%202319%35%46%202418%34%48%2025v▼ 1%
Roblox was the most played franchise in 2025, with Battlefield returning to the top 20, as legacy franchises saw broad declines21Top PC/console franchises by overall playtimePC, PlayStation, Xbox | 2025Source: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)#6Ranking change▲ 1Playtime growth▲ 22%#7Ranking change ▼1Playtime growth ▼4%#8Ranking change/Playtime growth0%#9Ranking change▲ 5Playtime growth▲ 11%#10Ranking changeNEWPlaytime growth▲ 467%#1Ranking change▲ 2Playtime growth▲ 52%#2Ranking change▼1Playtime growth▼29%#3Ranking change▼1Playtime growth▼33%#4Ranking change▲ 1Playtime growth▲ 19%#5Ranking change▼1Playtime growth ▼8%#11Ranking change▲ 1Playtime growth▼6%#12Ranking change ▼1Playtime growth▼15%#13Ranking change▼4Playtime growth▼22%#14Ranking change ▼5Playtime growth▼24%#15Ranking changeNEWPlaytime growth▲ 184%#16Ranking change▼3Playtime growth▼24%#17Ranking change▲ 1Playtime growth▲ 8%#18Ranking change▼3Playtime growth▼30%#19Ranking change/Playtime growth▼3%#20Ranking changeNEWPlaytime growth▲ 127%
Top 20 games continue to command over half of PC & console playtime, despite a modest shift to ranks 21+Note: Rankings for Battlefield 6 and ARC Raiders are likely understated due to late-year releasesSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)Playtime distribution by game ranking tierPC, PlayStation, Xbox | 2022-2025■ Top 1-10 ■ Top 11-20 ■ Rank 21+•Top 10 share remains very high, signaling entrenched evergreen and live-service titles •Gradual softening since 2023 suggests some engagement is spreading to mid-tier hitsPC■ Top 1-10 ■ Top 11-20 ■ Rank 21+•Most top-heavy platform•Stability indicates strong concentration in a handful of franchises and live-service ecosystemsPlayStation■ Top 1-10 ■ Top 11-20 ■ Rank 21+•Lowest Top 10 concentration, pointing to broader engagement across major titles•Game Pass continues to distribute playtime beyond the very top hitsXbox51%54%53%49%15%12%12%13%34%34%35%38%202220232024202543%48%49%44%16%14%12%11%41%38%39%45%20222023202420252252%53%51%47%16%15%13%11%33%33%36%42%2022202320242025
Almost 2/3 of console revenues go to the top 20 games, while over half on PC goes to ranks 21+Note: Rankings for Battlefield 6 and ARC Raiders are likely understated due to late-year releasesSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 6 markets (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy)Revenue distribution by game ranking tierPC, PlayStation, Xbox | 2022-2025 | US, UK, DE, FR, ES, IT■ Top 1-10 ■ Top 11-20 ■ Rank 21+•Top 10 revenue share declined sharply 2022-2025•Suggests stronger performance of long-tail titles (Ranks 21+) and diversified spending beyond the biggest hitsPC■ Top 1-10 ■ Top 11-20 ■ Rank 21+•Revenue distribution is highly consistent with playtime•Highest Top 10 revenue concentration among all, reinforcing blockbuster-driven monetizationPlayStation■ Top 1-10 ■ Top 11-20 ■ Rank 21+•Consistently high Top 10 revenue share, closely mirroring PlayStation•Despite broader playtime distribution, spending remains focused on the top gamesXbox2342%45%40%34%10%12%11%10%48%43%49%56%202220232024202551%56%54%49%17%13%11%13%33%31%35%38%202220232024202552%53%55%49%16%16%13%16%33%31%33%35%2022202320242025
Genre data reveals potential AAA weakness as Sandbox momentum builds and Battle Royale shows structural declineSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)24Top genres by playtimePC, PlayStation, Xbox | 2025 vs. 2024ShooterRole PlayingSandboxAdventureSportsBattle Royale▼ 5%▲ 36%▲ 6%- ▼ 27%20252024▼ 1%
12%45%43%202210%43%47%20238%40%52%20247%35%58%2025Roblox widens its lead to 58% of Sandbox playtime despite Minecraft’s movie-driven upliftSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)25Sandbox playtime distributionPC, PlayStation, Xbox | 2022-2025Roblox ▲ 52%Minecraft ▲ 19%Other ▲ 4%Top other Sandbox gamesBy playtime share of Sandbox genreTerraria1.5%VR Chat1.4%Project Zomboid1.0%Garry’s Mod0.8%REC Room0.1%
Minecraft and Roblox players heavily overlap with each other… 26Note: Minecraft & Roblox overlap covers consoles onlyMonthly average overlap indicates how much of a title’s player base has also played another target tile in any given monthSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)Minecraft & Roblox’s average monthly overlap %PlayStation, Xbox | January-December 2025Robloxoverlap55%Minecraftoverlap34%
…and with the largest live service games in general27Note: Minecraft & Roblox overlap covers consoles onlyMonthly average overlap indicates how much of a title’s player base has also played another target tile in any given monthSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)Minecraft & Roblox’s average monthly overlap %PlayStation, Xbox | January-December 202528%25%55%46%26%22%20%18%Roblox overlap (%) Minecraft overlap (%)
Console overlap reveals Sandbox players under index on AAA; Minecraft away from sports, Roblox away from story-driven titlesNote: Minecraft & Roblox overlap covers consoles only*Overlap Index measures how much more likely the primary game’s player base is to play other titles compared to the average player on that platformSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)28Minecraft & Roblox bottom 10 by monthly Overlap Index*PlayStation, Xbox | January-December 2025, >100k average overlap MAUMinecraftLeast likely to playRobloxLeast likely to play Destiny 20.75xGran Turismo 7 0.76xBattlefield 6/REDSEC0.79xHogwarts Legacy0.80xMonster Hunter Wilds0.41xBorderlands 40.56xTES IV: Oblivion Remastered0.62xAssassin’s Creed Shadows0.62xGhost of Yōtei0.68xAlan Wake 20.83xEA Sports College Football 260.71xNBA 2K260.72xEA SPORTS Madden NFL 260.74xAssassin’s Creed Shadows0.79xGhost of Yōtei0.80xMLB The Show 250.81xMonster Hunter Wilds0.83xClair Obscur: Expedition 330.84xBorderlands 40.87xThe Outer Worlds 20.89x
Survey data reveals Sandbox as a demographically balanced cohort, skewing younger and slightly male29Genres x socio-demographics x playtimeBase: PC/Console players in the past 6 monthsSource: Newzoo Global Gamer Study 2025 | 36 marketsYoungerOlderAgeShooterRole PlayingAdventureSportsBattle ArenaSimulationFightingRacingStrategyBattle RoyaleSandboxPlaytime hours▲ ♀▲ ♂Gender
Shooter & Battle Royale’s combined share fell 5 pts in 2025 despite Marvel Rivals & Counter-Strike 2’s impressive yearsSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)Battle Royale & Shooter playtime distributionPlaytime for top Battle Royale & Shooter titlesPC, PlayStation, Xbox | 2025 vs. 2024PC, PlayStation, Xbox | 2022-2025Battle Royale 26%26%27%26%13%13%13%9%61%61%60%65%2022202320242025ShooterBattle RoyaleOtherFortnite Apex LegendsPUBG: BATTLEGROUNDSShooterCall of Duty HQCounter-Strike 2 & GOMarvel RivalsValorantTom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege XOverwatch 1 & 2Destiny 2▼ 29%▲ 2%▼ 33%▲ 22%▲ 546%▼ 15%▼ 24%▼ 29%▼ 40%2025202420252024▼ 24%30
20222025Battlefield and ARC Raiders’ strong releases could not offset the rest of the decline in Shooter playtimeSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)31All platforms playtime distributionPC, PlayStation, Xbox | 2022 – 2025202320249%Call of Duty9%Call of Duty+Battlefield 6 + ARC Raiders10%Call of Duty9%Call of DutyCall of Duty’s 2024 playtime exceeded that of Call of Duty, Battlefield 6, and ARC Raiders’ combined 2025 playtimeCall of DutyBattlefield 6+ARC Raiders
Call of Duty’s console audience over-indexes on Sports, and under-indexes on RPG and AdventureCall of Duty HQ overlap covers consoles only*Overlap Index measures how much more likely the primary game’s player base is to play other titles compared to the average player on that platformSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)32Call of Duty console holiday season overlap & Overlap Index*PlayStation, Xbox | December 2025 | >100k overlap MAUFortnite26%Grand Theft Auto V20%Roblox15%Minecraft14%Battlefield 6/REDSEC13%Top overlap %Top Overlap IndexMost likely to playCall of Duty: Modern Warfare/Warzone Caldera2.43xCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold War2.12xCall of Duty: Black Ops 41.74xEA Sports Madden NFL 251.58xUndisputed1.53xBottom Overlap IndexLeast likely to playHELLDIVERS 20.63xElden Ring Nightreign0.68xClair Obscur: Expedition 330.70xElden Ring0.71xBorderlands 40.71x
Battlefield’s audience is more likely to play a diverse assortment of shooters, and slightly under-indexes on annual sports*Overlap Index measures how much more likely the primary game’s player base is to play other titles compared to the average player on that platformSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)33Battlefield 6/REDSEC holiday season overlap & Overlap Index*PC, PlayStation, Xbox | December 2025 | >100k overlap MAUCounter-Strike 229%Fortnite27%Call of Duty HQ18%ARC Raiders17%Grand Theft Auto VTop overlap %Top Overlap IndexMost likely to playArma Reforger2.95xHell Let Loose2.92xReady or Not2.55xInsurgency: Sandstorm2.49xWarhammer 40K: Space Marine 22.35xBottom Overlap IndexLeast likely to playDota 20.49xEA Sports FC 250.64xRoblox0.68xBrawlhalla0.74xEA Sports Madden NFL 250.75×16%
ARC Raiders’ audience prefers multiplayer & co-op role-playing titles, and less likely to prefer black hole live service games*Overlap Index measures how much more likely the primary game’s player base is to play other titles compared to the average player on that platformSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)34ARC Raiders holiday season overlap & Overlap Index*PC, PlayStation, Xbox | December 2025 | >100k overlap MAUFortnite30%Counter-Strike 226%Battlefield 6/REDSEC23%Roblox15%MinecraftTop overlap %Top Overlap IndexMost likely to playTHE FINALS5.35xHunt: Showdown 19863.04xREMATCH2.72xHELLDIVERS 22.63xElden Ring Nightreign2.60xBottom Overlap IndexLeast likely to playEA Sports FC 260.49xDota 20.66xGrand Theft Auto V0.74xCounter-Strike 20.81xRoblox0.83×15%
84%79%16%21%20242025Annual franchises’ share of the Sports genre dropped 5pts with some playtime diversifying into Rocket League and new releasesSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)Sports playtime distribution Playtime for top Sports titlesPC, PlayStation, Xbox | 2025 vs. 2024PC, PlayStation, Xbox | 2024-2025skate. and REMATCH combined accounted for 3% of Sports genre’s playtime across all platforms▼ 13%▲ 11%▲ 8%▼ 9%▲ 15%Released in 2025 / Released in 2025 / NewNewEA Sports FC & FIFANBA 2KRocket LeagueMadden + College FootballMLB The Show.skateREMATCH20252024▼5ptsOther SportsAnnual Sports35
36????????????What share of total playtime is available to new releases?Chapter 2 | Attention & value allocation2026 PC & Console Gaming Report
For all platforms combined, new release share of playtime remained stable throughout 2025*Roblox‘s staggered PlayStation release date means that it is split between two buckets, it remains the largest game by playtime; **Escape From Tarkov was launched from Early AccessNote: Call of Duty HQ is release date-adjustedSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)37Top titles by playtime sharePC, PlayStation, Xbox | 2025% of yearly total hours by age of titlePC, PlayStation, Xbox | 2022-2025202220232024202539%50%10%53%35%12%53%35%13%54%33%13%6+ years1 to 5 yearsNew releases6+ yearsMinecraft4.7%Roblox*5.9%Fortnite7.1%New releasesEscape from Tarkov**0.8%Battlefield 6/REDSEC1.1%EA Sports FC261.1%
On PC, new release playtime grew slightly, and Sandbox growth shifted additional playtime to the 6+ year group*Escape From Tarkov was launched from Early AccessNote: Call of Duty HQ is release date-adjustedSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)38Top titles by playtime sharePC | 2025202220232024202557%37%6%64%28%8%65%26%9%66%23%10%6+ years1 to 5 yearsNew releases% of yearly total hours by age of title2022-20256+ yearsLeague of Legends6.9%Counter-Strike 27.0%Roblox9.7%New releasesARC Raiders0.6%Battlefield 6/REDSEC0.8%Escape from Tarkov*1.7%
PlayStation saw a small boost in the 1-5 years group thanks to Roblox’s striking growthNote: Call of Duty HQ is release date-adjustedSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)39Top titles by playtime sharePlayStation | 2025% of yearly total hours by age of title2022-2025202220232024202521%64%15%40%44%16%40%44%16%38%47%15%6+ years1 to 5 yearsNew releases6+ yearsMinecraft2.5%Grand Theft Auto V4.3%Fortnite10.4%New releasesCall of Duty HQ1.1%Monster Hunter Wilds1.3%EA Sports FC 262.5%
Xbox new release playtime grows through Day One Game Pass effects Note: Call of Duty HQ is release date-adjustedSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)40Top titles by playtime shareXbox | 2025% of yearly total hours by age of title2022-2025202220232024202526%60%14%45%40%15%47%37%16%47%36%18%6+ years1 to 5 yearsNew releases6+ yearsMinecraft4.1%Roblox6.5%Fortnite8.4%New releasesCall of Duty HQ1.4%NBA 2K261.6%Battlefield 6/REDSEC1.7%
PCPlayStationXboxNon-annual franchises’ share of new release playtime grew to 10% on PC in 2025 and grew significantly on consoles*Escape From Tarkov was launched from Early AccessNote: Call of Duty HQ is release date-adjustedSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)41Playtime share of new releases by franchise type (annual vs. non-annual)2022-2025 new releases4%7%7%10%5101520%2%20221%20232%20240%20256%7%6%8%9%9%9%7%5101520%20222023202420256%9%6%11%8%6%11%7%5101520%20222023202420251.Escape from Tarkov*2.Battlefield 6/REDSEC3.ARC Raiders4.Monster Hunter Wilds5.R.E.P.O.Top non-annual new releases in 2025 by % of total PC playtimeNovemberOctoberOctoberFebruaryFebruary1.Monster Hunter Wilds2.Battlefield 6/REDSEC3.Elden Ring Nightreign4.ARC Raiders5.Ghost of Yōtei Top non-annual new releases in 2025by % of total PlayStation playtime 1.3%1.1%0.6%0.5%0.4%FebruaryOctoberMayOctoberOctober1.Battlefield 6/REDSEC2.ARC Raiders3.Helldivers 24.Borderlands 45.Oblivion RemasteredTop non-annual new releases in 2025by % of total Xbox playtime 1.7%0.8%0.7%0.6%0.6%OctoberOctoberAugustSeptemberApril1.7%0.8%0.7%0.5%0.4%■ Non-annual releases ■ Annual releases■ Non-annual releases ■ Annual releases■ Non-annual releases■ Annual releases
PCPlayStationXboxThe effect is even stronger for new release revenuesNote: Call of Duty HQ is release date-adjustedSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 6 markets (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy)42Revenue share of new releases by franchise type (annual vs. non-annual)2022-2025 new releases | US, UK, DE, FR, ES, IT1.Battlefield 6/REDSEC2.ARC Raiders3.Schedule I4.Monster Hunter Wilds5.Borderlands 4Top non-annual new releases in 2025 by % of total PC revenue3.9%2.0%1.6%1.1%1.1%OctoberOctoberMarchFebruarySeptember1.Battlefield 6/REDSEC2.Assassin’s Creed Shadows3.Ghost of Yōtei 4.Forza Horizon 55.ARC RaidersTop non-annual new releases in 2025by % of total PlayStation revenue 2.7%1.6%1.5%1.5%1.0%OctoberMarchOctoberAprilOctober1.Battlefield 6/REDSEC2.HELLDIVERS 23.ARC Raiders4.Assassin’s Creed Shadows5.Borderlands 4Top non-annual new releases in 2025by % of total Xbox revenue 3.7%1.6%1.4%1.3%1.2%OctoberAugustOctoberMarchSeptember16%25%22%30%8%1020304050%20224%20235%20242%202517%22%17%22%27%23%25%22%1020304050%202220232024202511%18%10%18%27%20%23%21%1020304050%2022202320242025■ Non-annual releases ■ Annual releases■ Non-annual releases ■ Annual releases■ Non-annual releases■ Annual releases
Understand which players are fueling growth and which are disengagingGlobal Gamer StudyAccess the world’s largest gamer survey, profiling players annually across 36 marketsMotivations to play games and gamer personasFull demographic and psychographic profiles of gamers across 36 marketsGaming, spending and viewing behavior and attitudes per platformGame franchises played, attitudes and purchase funnelFind out more43
442026 PC & Console Gaming ReportSummaryStabilizing engagement has changed the playtime metagame from addition to reallocation. While the top 20 titles still take up >50% of playtime, this share is shrinking on all platforms and most notably on PC .The growing Sandbox share, driven by Roblox, has not fully absorbed the hours lost in AAA-heavy genres (e.g., Shooter, Battle Royale).Chapter 2 | TakeawaysAttention & value allocation1. Global overall playtime is flat, masking platform divergencePC’s growth (+3%) offset contractions on PlayStation (–4%) and Xbox (–3%).Roblox became the #1 most played franchise, overtaking Fortnite & Call of Duty.2. Sandbox playtime grew by over 1/3Sandbox playtime expanded structurally (+36%), gaining share from Battle Royale (-27%) and Shooter (-5%) . Sandbox audiences, by title overlap, are less likely to play AAA story-led single-player RPG and Adventure titles.3. Playtime share available to new releases remained stableThis indicates substitution of engagement rather than incremental audience expansion.Notably, non-sports breakout hit audiences are less likely to overlap with annualized sports franchises
What happens if you are not a top-20 game?Market concentration 3.45
462026 PC & Console Gaming ReportTianyi GuManager Market AnalystIn this section, we look at market concentration and playtime dynamics for games outside the Top 20, examining just how viable and enduring the long tail remains in 2025. We break down how playtime has been distributed from 2022 to 2025, how different genres and business models perform among long-tail titles, and what platform-specific dynamics shape the success of games beyond the Top 20. Ultimately, we tackle the question that matters most: what does it take for a non-top-tier game to survive?Core definitions & key notesOverviewYearly Top 20 rankingsRankings are calculated on an annual basis; late-2025 launches (e.g., Battlefield 6/REDSEC, ARC Raiders) are likely understated in these rankings, with their playtime impact not fully capturedLong tailDefined as all games ranking beyond the Top 20 on each individual platform (PC, PlayStation, Xbox)Playtime percentagesAll playtime share values in this section represent a game’s playtime share of its respective platform’s total playtime in 2025, providing a standardized lens for comparing performance across titles, tiers, and platformsWhat happens if you are not a top-20 game?Chapter 3Market concentration
Beyond the Top 20: how deep is each platform’s market?Note: Rankings for Battlefield 6 and ARC Raiders are likely understated due to late-year releases Source: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)Playtime distribution by game ranking tierPC, PlayStation, Xbox | 2022-2025•The market is disaggregating; growth comes from games outside the Top 20•Engagement depth is expanding, not just redistributingPC•Highly hit-led, with engagement concentrated on Top 20 and annual franchises•The long tail is growing, but still competes with recurring blockbuster cyclesPlayStation•Engagement is spreading beyond the Top 20, driven by subscription discovery•Growth in the long tail reflects redistribution of total platform playtime, rather than major expansionXbox4733%33%36%42%67%67%64%58%202220232024202534%34%35%38%66%66%65%62%202220232024202541%38%39%45%59%62%61%56%2022202320242025Top 20Rank 21+Top 20Rank 21+Top 20Rank 21+
Marvel Rivals and Wuthering Waves break into PC’s Top 20 for the first time, but overall playtime remains highly concentrated on evergreen titlesNote: Rankings for Battlefield 6 and ARC Raiders are likely understated due to late-year releases Source: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excl. China & India)48#19.7%7.0%6.9%6.3%4.3%3.6%3.2%#82.4%2.3%1.8%#2#3#4#5#6#7#8#9#10#111.7%1.5%1.2%1.1%1.0%1.0%1.0%#80.9%0.9%0.9%#12#13#14#15#15#17#18#19#20Top 20 PC games by playtime share2025
CCBattlefield 6/REDSEC0.8%#22ARC Raiders0.6%#26Monster Hunter Wilds0.5%#33R.E.P.O.0.5%#39Elden Ring Nightreign0.3%#50010020020%40%60%80%100%Game rank Cumulative playtime sharePC | 2025Note: Rankings for Battlefield 6 and ARC Raiders are likely understated due to late-year releases Source: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)PC | 2022-2025PC playtime growth is coming from a rapidly expanding long tailPlaytime beyond the Top 20Cumulative playtime share for games ranked 1–200PC total▲ 14%Top 20▼ 1%Rank 21+▲ 44%202220232024202549▲ 44%Top new releases in 2025 among Rank 21+ by % of total PC playtimeaccounted for 80% of PC playtime in 2025Top 79
Note: Call of Duty is grouped into the Pay-to-Play categorySource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)50Business model & game lifecycle: Rank 21+ vs. Top 20PC | 2025Genre share by playtime: Rank 21+ vs. Top 20PC | 2025Role PlayingShooterAdventureSimulationStrategyRank 21+Top 20Top 20New releases (2025)Back cataloguePay-to-playFree-to-playRank 21+New releases (2025)Back cataloguePay-to-playFree-to-playPay-to-playFree-to-playRank 21+Top 2026%73%74%27%20%11%2%•Rank 21+ games over-index in RPG and Adventure, where long-term progression drives retention•Shooter share beyond the Top 20 is likely overstated by partial-yearimpact from Battlefield 6 and ARC Raiders; however, even excluding these two titles, Shooter share would still be meaningful80%9%91%89%100%PC long-tail success comes from premium games with sustained engagement over time▲ 15%▲ 16%•Games outside the Top 20 skew more toward premium titles with sustained engagement•Across models, long-tail success depends more on longevity than new releases, but to a lesser extentthan the Top 20, particularly among F2P titles
Marvel Rivals, Monster Hunter Wilds, and Battlefield 6 are the newcomers to PlayStation’s Top 20—all backed by major IPNote: Rankings for Battlefield 6 and ARC Raiders are likely understated due to late-year releases Source: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excl. China & India)51#110.4%9.8%6.3%5.4%4.3%2.7%2.5%#82.5%2.5%2.5%#2#3#4#5#6#7#8#9#10#112.3%2.3%1.3%1.2%1.1%1.1%0.9%#80.8%0.8%0.7%#12#13#14#15#15#17#18#19#20Top 20 PlayStation games by playtime share2025
CCPlayStation | 2025Note: Rankings for Battlefield 6 and ARC Raiders are likely understated due to late-year releasesSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)PlayStation | 2022-2025PlayStation’s long tail is growing, but still competes with major annualized franchisesPlaytime beyond the Top 20Cumulative playtime share for games ranked 1–200202220232024202552▲ 32%010020020%40%60%80%100%Game rank Cumulative playtime shareTop 74accounted for 80% of PlayStation playtime in 20255%Top new releases in 2025 among Rank 21+ by % of total PlayStation playtimeElden Ring Nightreign0.6%#22ARC Raiders0.5%#340.4%0.4%of PS playtime came from annualized franchises beyond the Top 20EA Sports College Football 26#38Ghost of Yōtei#37PS total▲ 17%Top 20▲ 9%Rank 21+▲ 32%0.5%#26MLB The Show 25
Note: Call of Duty is grouped into the Pay-to-Play categorySource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)53Business model & game lifecycle: Rank 21+ vs. Top 20PlayStation | 2025Genre share by playtime: Rank 21+ vs. Top 20PlayStation | 2025Top 20New releases (2025)Back cataloguePay-to-playFree-to-playRank 21+New releases (2025)Back cataloguePay-to-playFree-to-playPay-to-playFree-to-playRank 21+Top 2045%17%2%•Rank 21+ significantly over-indexes in Adventure and RPG compared to the Top 20, highlighting demand for narrative and progression-driven games•Shooters and Sports under-index, indicating live-service titles and annual franchises are much more concentrated in the Top 20, though they still claim a meaningful share among Rank 21+81%9%91%82%100%On PlayStation, the long tail is driven by premium titles in depth-oriented traditional console genres▲ 18%▲ 22%•Rank 21+ skews much more heavily toward premium titles than PlayStation’s top 20•Similar to PC, survivability is driven more by longevity than by new releasesAdventureRole PlayingShooterSportsFightingRank 21+Top 2083%55%19%18%
Shooter and Sports games dominate Xbox’s Top 20 with a playtime distribution that mirrors PCNote: Rankings for Battlefield 6 and ARC Raiders are likely understated due to late-year releases. Source: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excl. China & India)54#19.5%8.4%6.5%4.1%3.6%3.0%2.7%#82.5%2.1%1.7%#2#3#4#5#6#7#8#9#10#111.7%1.6%1.5%1.3%1.0%1.0%0.9%#80.9%0.8%0.8%#12#13#14#15#15#17#18#19#20Top 20 Xbox games by playtime share2025
CC2022202320242025Xbox | 2025Note: Rankings for Battlefield 6 and ARC Raiders are likely understated due to late-year releases. Source: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)Xbox | 2022-2025Xbox playtime growth beyond the Top 20 is driven by Game Pass but reflects redistribution more than platform expansionPlaytime beyond the Top 20Cumulative playtime share for games ranked 1–20055▲ 12%010020020%40%60%80%100%Game rank Cumulative playtime shareaccounted for 80% of Xbox playtime in 2025Top 916%Top new releases in 2025 among Rank 21+ by % of total PlayStation playtimeof Xbox playtime came from annualized franchises beyond the Top 20ARC Raiders0.8%#21EA Sports College Football 260.7%#23MLB The Show 250.7%#25Borderlands 40.6%#26The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered0.6%#29Xbox total▲ 3%Top 20▼ 3%Rank 21+▲ 12%
Note: Call of Duty is grouped into the Pay-to-Play categorySource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 37 markets (excluding China & India)56Business model & game lifecycle: Rank 21+ vs. Top 20Xbox | 2025Genre share by playtime: Rank 21+ vs. Top 20 Xbox | 2025Top 20New releases (2025)Back cataloguePay-to-playFree-to-playRank 21+New releases (2025)Back cataloguePay-to-playFree-to-playPay-to-playFree-to-playRank 21+Top 2046%13%2%•Rank 21+ over-indexes in RPG and Adventure, similar to PlayStation•Shooters are significantly over-indexed among the Top 20, but they remain more prominent in Xbox’s long tail than on PlayStation, driven by Xbox-exclusive franchises like Halo and Gears of War74%8%92%86%100%Premium, progression-driven games define Xbox’s long tail, with subscription dynamics supporting newer releases▲ 22%▲ 13%•Rank 21+ titles skew toward premium experiences, but subscription access lowers barriers to trial•Compared to PC and PlayStation, a larger share of newer titles appears in the long tail, highlighting the impact of day-one Game Pass releasesShooterRole PlayingAdventureSportsSimulationRank 21+Top 2014%87%54%26%
Quantify engagement beyond the rankingsGame Performance MonitorAnalyze playtime, revenue, and retention at scale.Find out moreEngagement data (MAU, DAU, lifetime players, play time) of 10.000+ games across 37 marketsCoverage of the top platformsPremium and recurring digital revenues (revenue per SKU, ARPU, ARPPU, LTV) of 1000+ games in 6 marketsPlayer and spender overlap, acquisition, retention, and churn between titles57
582026 PC & Console Gaming ReportSummaryMarket concentration remains high across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, yet the long tail is structurally expanding, most visibly on PC. Survivability beyond the Top 20 depends less on launch-window momentum and more on platform discovery mechanics, catalog depth, and business model fit.Chapter 3 | Takeaways1. The long tail is expanding, most structurally on PCTitles ranked 21+ are capturing a growing share of playtime, with PC showing the strongest shift, where Rank 21+ playtime grew 44% from 2022 to 2025.2. Platform dynamics shape concentration resiliencePC’s long tail keeps widening, PlayStation remains more franchise-concentrated, and Xbox’s long tail benefits from Game Pass discovery, shifting playtime share more than total hours.3. Survivability is driven by premium depth, notlaunch spikesEnduring winners tend to be premium, progression-heavy titles with strong back-catalog performance (not just breakout launches), with RPG/Adventure over-indexing.Market concentration
Which monetization models perform best under current dynamics?Business model viability4.59
60In this chapter, we examine pricing dynamics across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox using the Newzoo Game Performance Monitor, looking separately at free-to-play and premium games. For F2P, we focus on how effectively games convert engagement into revenue. For premium, we segment games by launch MSRP tier — an imperfect but useful business-scale lens, since games in the same price band tend to be more comparable even when pricing and discount strategies have since diverged.Overview2026 PC & Console Gaming ReportCore definitions & key notesMehmet Mert ŞahinJunior Market AnalystMSRP tiersGames are categorized by their launch MSRP in the premium section, unless they have since transitioned to free-to-play (e.g., Rocket League and Rainbow Six Siege X). Standalone premium gamesGames that offer a complete product with a single purchase, without relying on continuous updates (slide #73)Which monetization models perform best under current dynamics?Chapter 4Business model viabilityRevenue percentagesAll revenue share values in this section represent a game’s revenue share of its platform’s total revenue for the given year, providing a standardized lens for comparing performance across titles, tiers, and platformsRoblox revenues on PCRoblox revenue data is not available on PC, but is available on PlayStation and XboxData scopeRevenueDigital only, including full-game downloads, microtransactions, DLC, and in-game subscriptions. Multi-game subscriptions (e.g., Game Pass, PlayStation Plus) are excluded. PC data covers multiple merchants, not just Steam.MarketsUS, UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy. All data in this section, including playtime, is scoped to these six markets.
PCPlayStationXboxPlaytime is down in major western markets as growth shifts to emerging regions, with premium gains unable to offset F2P and Call of Duty declinesSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 6 markets (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy)Playtime distribution by business model (index: 2022)PC, PlayStation, Xbox | 2022-2025 | US, UK, DE, FR, ES, ITPremiumFree-to-playCall of Duty2025 vs. 2024YoY % growth61▲ 4.7%▼ 8.1%▼ 59.4%PremiumFree-to-playCall of Duty2025 vs. 2024YoY % growth▲ 1.2% ▼ 4.3%▼ 25.5%PremiumFree-to-playCall of Duty2025 vs. 2024YoY % growth▲ 7.0%▼ 11.0%▼ 29.6%1.00.20.40.60.81.21.420222023202420251.00.20.40.60.81.21.420222023202420251.00.20.40.60.81.21.42022202320242025■ Premium ■ Free-to-play ■ Call of Duty■ Premium ■ Free-to-play ■ Call of Duty■ Premium ■ Free-to-play ■ Call of Duty
PCPlayStationXboxDespite falling playtime, premium drives revenue gains on PC and PlayStation, while Xbox struggles to cover F2P and Call of Duty lossesScope: Digital revenue only, excl. multi-game subs (e.g., Game Pass, PlayStation Plus)Source: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 6 markets (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy)Revenue distribution by business model (index: 2022)PC, PlayStation, Xbox | 2022-2025 | US, UK, DE, FR, ES, IT1.00.20.40.60.81.21.42022202320242025PremiumFree-to-playCall of Duty1.00.20.40.60.81.21.420222023202420251.00.20.40.60.81.21.4202220232024202562▲ 17.4%▼ 1.1%▼ 64.3%PremiumFree-to-playCall of Duty▲ 7.8% ▼ 8.2%▼ 42.8%PremiumFree-to-playCall of Duty▲ 3.6% ▼ 23.6%▼ 39.1%2025 vs. 2024YoY % change2025 vs. 2024YoY % change2025 vs. 2024YoY % change■ Premium ■ Free-to-play ■ Call of Duty■ Premium ■ Free-to-play ■ Call of Duty■ Premium ■ Free-to-play ■ Call of Duty
63????????????Are games converting engagement into revenue efficiently enough to sustain growth?Chapter 4 | Business model viabilityFree-to-play2026 PC & Console Gaming Report
2022202320242025In major western markets, PC’s total free-to-play revenue/playing hour grew 10% year-on-year to nearly 2x that of PlayStation and 3x Xbox’sNote: Due to a temporary data outage, Roblox revenue data is not available on PC; PlayStation and Xbox are unaffectedSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 6 markets (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy)Free-to-play revenue per playing hour by platformPC, PlayStation, Xbox | 2022-2025 | US, UK, DE, FR, ES, IT6420222023202420252022202320242025PCPlayStationXbox2025 vs. 20242025 vs. 20242025 vs. 2024PC revenue per hour is up as playtime declined at a higher rate than revenuePlayStation revenue per hour is down as revenues declined at a higher rate than playtimeXbox revenue per hour is down as revenues declined at a higher rate than playtimeIncluding RobloxIncluding Roblox▲ 10%
0.1xAverage10xRevenue/HourTotal revenueFortniteCounter-Strike 2 & GOThe Sims 4ValorantLeague of LegendsMarvel RivalsTom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege XOverwatch 1 & 2WarframeDestiny 2Total hoursFortnite’s PC audience remains well monetized despite its decrease in playtime, generating 1.7x more than average65Free-to-play overall revenue by revenue per playtime hour (log scale)PC | 2025 | US, UK, DE, FR, ES, ITNote: Call of Duty is excluded since we can’t separate Warzone free-to-play revenues from premium revenuesSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 6 markets (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy)0.5x 1.7x
Roblox revenue per hour is below average on PlayStation, while top anime-themed titles over-index66Free-to-play overall revenue by revenue per playtime hour (log scale)PlayStation | 2025 | US, UK, DE, FR, ES, ITNote: Call of Duty is excluded since we can’t separate Warzone free-to-play revenues from premium revenuesSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 6 markets (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy)0.1x10xAverageApex LegendsGenshin ImpactTom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege XMarvel RivalsValorantROBLOXThe Sims 4FortniteWarframeTotal revenueInfinity NikkiRevenue/HourDestiny 2Total hours0.3x 1.5x 0.5x 8.6×3.9x
Xbox’s lower revenue per hour shrinks the range, with most titles underperforming when compared against Fortnite67Free-to-play overall revenue by revenue per playtime hour (log scale)Xbox | 2025 | US, UK, DE, FR, ES, ITNote: Call of Duty is excluded since we can’t separate Warzone free-to-play revenues from premium revenuesSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 6 markets (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy)0.1xAverage10xFortniteROBLOXMarvel RivalsDestiny 2Total revenue Revenue/HourApex LegendsWarframeOverwatch 1 & 2War ThunderThe Sims 4Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege XTotal hours0.5x 0.8x 1.7×2.6x
68????????????Which price bands generate revenue most efficiently?Chapter 4 | Business model viabilityPremium2026 PC & Console Gaming Report
$50+ tier leads PlayStation and Xbox while budget and mid-price games dominate PC, though cheaper titles are gaining ground across platforms*E.g., World of Warcraft. Not to be confused with subscription services like Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation PlusNote: Call of Duty is excluded since we can’t separate Warzone free-to-play revenues from premium revenuesSource: Newzoo Game Performance Monitor | 6 markets (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy)Revenue distribution by launch MSRPPC, PlayStation, Xbox | 2022-2025 | US, UK, DE, FR, ES, IT69PCPlayStationXbox•Sub-$30 games take a significant portion•The $30-$50 segment isn’t growing as fast as consoles, but already accounts for a larger share33%28%30%32%22%19%24%25%36%48%38%39%9%7%20226%202320244%20257%7%10%7%12%14%84%89%82%79%20225%20236%202420257%7%9%9%11%8%9%14%82%85%81%76%2022202320242025•>$50 games still dominate, their share is slipping due to a two-year shortage of major blockbusters•The $30-$50 and $50 games show a similar trend to PlayStation•The $30-$50 segment saw an impressive jump in 2025, driven in pa
