PC Gaming Revenue Set to Overtake Consoles by 2028, Newzoo Report Finds
Market research firm Newzoo has released its 2026 PC and Console Gaming Report, forecasting a historic shift in the gaming industry. According to the findings, PC gaming revenue is expected to surpass console revenue for the first time, with PC market growth continuing to outpace its console counterpart. The report signals what analysts describe as a turning point in the long-standing competition between open and closed gaming platforms.
The report indicates that the PC gaming market will grow at an average annual rate of 6.6 percent, while console growth trails at 4.4 percent. By 2028, the global PC player base is projected to surpass 1 billion users, while console players are expected to plateau at approximately 688 million. Analysts suggest that open platforms are reclaiming market dominance through their flexibility and freedom of choice, gradually eroding the advantages traditionally held by closed ecosystems.
Newzoo’s analysis attributes this trend primarily to pricing structures and player choice. Currently, 70 percent of console platform revenue comes from just 20 top-selling titles, with most new releases priced at $70 (~¥500). In contrast, PC gamers tend to purchase a wider variety of games beyond blockbuster hits, including indie horror, strategy, and simulation titles typically priced between $15 (~¥108) and $30 (~¥216). This segment has grown by 156 percent in recent years, and that figure does not yet account for free-to-play contributions.
The report highlights a vulnerability in the console ecosystem: heavy reliance on a small number of AAA blockbusters. If a major title underperforms, the entire platform can feel the impact. PC gaming, by contrast, rests on a broader foundation spanning esports, indie sandbox games, mod-supported classics, and new premium releases alike. Newzoo emphasizes that the report is not dismissing consoles, but rather documenting real market shifts. With Sony raising subscription prices and Microsoft effectively transforming Xbox into a PC-like device, and younger players increasingly favoring the versatility of PC over being tied to a couch with paid online access, the era of open platforms is accelerating. This report presents a data-driven picture of where the industry is headed, and the numbers paint a compelling case for PC’s continued ascent.
