As well as being one of the leading gaming market in terms of revenue, the United States is also considered by many as the birthplace of gaming as we know it today. In 2023, the video game market size in the United States was estimated to be *** billion U.S. dollars, not quite reaching the 2020 record of *** billion U.S. dollars.

In March 2025, total video games sales in the United States amounted to **** billion U.S. dollars, representing a six percent year-over-year decrease. Generally speaking, the video game industry has its most important months in November and December, as video game software and hardware make very popular Christmas gifts. In December 2024, total U.S. video game sales surpassed **** billion U.S. dollars. Birth of the video game industry Although the largest regional market in terms of sales, as well as number of gamers, is Asia Pacific, the United States is also an important player within the global video games industry. In fact, many consider the United States as the birthplace of gaming as we know it today, fueled by the arcade game fever in the ’60s and the introduction of the first personal computers and home gaming consoles in the ‘70s. Furthermore, the children of those eras are the game developers and game players of today, the ones who have driven the movement for better software solutions, better graphics, better sound and more advanced interaction not only for video games, but also for computers and communication technologies of today. An ever-changing market However, the video game industry in the United States is not only growing, it is also changing in many ways. Due to increased internet accessibility and development of technologies, more and more players are switching from single-player console or PC video games towards multiplayer games, as well as social networking games and last, but not least, mobile games, which are gaining tremendous popularity around the world. This can be evidenced in the fact that mobile games accounted for ** percent of the revenue of the games market worldwide, ahead of both console games and downloaded or boxed PC games.

Snapshot img

Video Game Market Size 2025-2029

The video game market size is forecast to increase by USD 111.7 billion, at a CAGR of 8.6% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing penetration of smartphones and improving internet access worldwide. This digital transformation has expanded the gaming audience beyond traditional demographics, with an increasing number of women embracing gaming. However, the market faces a notable challenge that is the escalating cost of game development. To remain competitive, companies must continuously innovate and invest in advanced technologies, such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence, to create immersive gaming experiences.
Additionally, the growing demand for mobile games necessitates a focus on cross-platform compatibility and adaptive game design. Companies that successfully navigate these challenges and cater to the evolving needs of diverse gaming demographics will thrive in this dynamic market.

What will be the Size of the Video Game Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2019-2023 and forecasts 2025-2029 - in the full report.
Request Free Sample

The market continues to evolve, with dynamic market dynamics shaping various sectors. Simulation games, esports organizations, and AAA titles coexist, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities. Competitor analysis is crucial for game publishers seeking to optimize player engagement and revenue generation. Real-time strategy (RTS) games and monetization strategies, such as in-app purchases and subscription models, are key areas of focus. Game studios invest in intellectual property (IP) development, leveraging game engines like Unreal and Unity for game development and user interface (UI) design. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies, along with cloud gaming, are transforming the gaming landscape.

Player retention is a top priority, with game updates, social media, and game streaming platforms playing essential roles. Game testing, network programming, and AI programming ensure optimal user experience (UX). Character modeling, fighting games, and puzzle games cater to diverse target audiences, while game design documents guide game development processes. PC gaming and console gaming continue to dominate, with mobile devices expanding the market reach. Game physics, sound design, and level design are integral components of game development. Game marketing strategies, player communities, and online forums foster user engagement. Game localization and quality assurance (QA) processes ensure global accessibility and product excellence.

The continuous unfolding of market activities and evolving patterns underscore the dynamic nature of the video game industry.

How is this Video Game Industry segmented?

The video game industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Platform

  PlayStation
  Xbox
  Nintendo
  PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, etc.)
  Mobile (iOS, Android)


Type

  Offline
  Online


End-User

  Hardcore Gamers
  Casual Gamers
  Esports Enthusiasts


Revenue Model

  Game Sales (Digital & Physical)
  In-Game Purchases
  Subscriptions
  Advertising


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada


  Europe

    France
    Germany
    Italy
    UK


  Middle East and Africa

    Egypt
    KSA
    Oman
    UAE


  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan


  South America

    Argentina
    Brazil


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Platform Insights

The playstation segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

The market encompasses various segments, including sports games, data analytics, game engines, user interface (UI), game development, augmented reality (AR), game controllers, game testing, game art, subscription models, and console gaming. In 2024, the mobile devices segment was the largest and continues to be the leading segment in the market, with over 3.5 billion smartphone and tablet users worldwide. Mobile games cater to a broader audience, including casual gamers, as they are typically smaller in scale and complexity and can be played in short bursts. The market's growth is driven by advancements in technology, increasing consumer demand, and the integration of social media and streaming platforms. Game development companies invest in AI programming, game physics, and game engines like Unreal Engine to create immersive and harmonious gaming experiences. They also focus on player engagement, player retention, and monetization strategies, including in-app purchases, subscription models, and advertising.

Game publishers collaborate with ga

In January 2025, the retail gaming revenue in the United States amounted to **** billion U.S. dollars. When looking at particular segment revenues, accessories were the lowest-performing segment at retail overall, while video gaming content accounted for the gross of consumer spending. Video game spending habits in the United States More than four in ten U.S. gamers across all platforms were willing to spend a maximum of ** to ** U.S. dollars on a video game. A November 2022 survey found that more than four in ten PC and console gamers stated so, while over three in ten mobile-only gamers said they only played free games. Console gamers were most comfortable spending money on their hobby at this price point. In 2023, total U.S. consumer spending on video game content amounted to **** billion U.S. dollars, a one percent increase from **** billion U.S. dollars in the preceding year. Game releases are planned around the holiday season What is very specific to the industry at large is that the highest monthly revenues occur around the holiday season in November and December of each year. The entire market revolves around maximizing sales during the season, and most new game releases of high-budget, high-profile titles (so-called AAA games) are planned shortly before the winter holidays. Many of these annual blockbuster releases see releases from late Q3 onwards: EA Sports FC usually releases in late September, and new games in Activision Blizzard’s Call of Duty series are launched between late October and early November.For the holiday season 2023, blockbusters Baldur’s Gate 3 and Starfield had already started the season of major video game releases. Other AAA titles that are also taking advantage of the Christmas shopping release window are the Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty DLC, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 as well as the Nintendo Switch release of Hogwarts Legacy and the PS5 port of mobile gaming title Honkai Star Rail by Genshin Impact publisher MiHoYo.

Video games have become a common form of entertainment for a large proportion of the population. They’re played by all age groups and demographics, offering companies a wide potential market. Mobile phone gaming has made games more accessible to people who would otherwise not be inclined to buy consoles or PC games. User-friendly devices, including tablets and smartphones, encourage older generations to play. Still, traditional console gaming continues to be a cornerstone of the market, with Sony's PlayStation 5 and Microsoft's Xbox Series X fetching strong sales figures despite initial supply chain hurdles. The UK Video Games industry has demonstrated resilience, leveraging new platforms and business models to fuel growth. Revenue is expected to swell at a compound annual rate of 1.6% over the five years through 2024-25, reaching £7.8 billion. Revenue growth has been supported by the release of the next generation of consoles, including the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X, which were both launched in November 2020. Microtransactions and downloadable content (DLC) have emerged as pivotal trends, diversifying income streams and reshaping traditional monetisation models. Revenue is forecast to climb by 1.5% in 2024-25 as successful games continue to be released to the ninth-generation of consoles. The average industry profit margin has heightened in recent years in line with the expanding popularity of digital services. Microtransactions are expected to expand, though concerns over exploitation remain. Companies may increasingly adopt freemium models, easing criticisms of a lack of inclusivity while maximising revenue. Delivering content directly to consoles via the internet is likely to become even more popular, while casual gaming via portable devices, especially mobile phones, is expected to continue to expand. Revenue is anticipated to strengthen at a compound annual rate of 2.5% over the five years through 2029-30 to reach £8.9 billion. Nonetheless, workforce issues loom, with demand for skilled developers rising but the talent pool remaining constrained talent pool.

In 2023, the Video Gaming Market reached a value of USD 229.70 billion, and it is projected to surge to USD 460.33 billion by 2030.

Number of Businesses statistics on the Video Games industry in United States

Video gaming content, including mobile gaming apps, accounts for the bulk of the annual video gaming industry revenue in the United States. In 2024, the total revenue of the U.S. video game industry amounted to ***** billion U.S. dollars, down from the ***** billion U.S. dollars a year earlier. Overall, the monthly revenue of the video gaming industry sees some fluctuation throughout the year, with lows in the summer months, and higher sales during the holiday season. Going digital and not turning back Over the last few years, digital gaming sales have been growing slowly but steadily and exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many consumers switched to digital game downloads instead of visiting brick-and-mortar retail locations and did not return to their previous shopping patterns after the normalization of the health emergency. Coupled with the ever-growing availability of high-speed internet connections and the release of the new flagship gaming console generation by Microsoft (Xbox) and Sony (PlayStation), comfort and convenience won over in-store browsing. Additionally, digital game storefronts across all gaming platforms frequently run sales and special offers that physical retailers rarely match. In 2022, the average revenue per user of physical video game sales in the United States amounted to ***** U.S. dollars, whereas the ARPU of game downloads only came to ***** U.S. dollars, reflecting the higher price of physical video game copies and the lower average price of digital games. Overall, the average monthly video game expenditure of U.S. gamers decreased to ***** U.S. dollars in 2023, down from ***** U.S. dollars in 2022. The struggles of the gaming hardware segment In contrast to the booming digital gaming content sales, the gaming hardware segment did not have an easy time in 2020 and 2021. What was supposed to be a year of triumph with the long-announced release of the ninth generation of video game consoles with the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X/S in November 2020 quickly turned into a tale of woe. The ongoing global chip shortage, which started in early 2020 due to COVID-19 -related disruptions in global supply chains and logistics, strongly constrained the availability of chips to produce video gaming consoles. Additional factors such as trade wars, increased demand for hardware due to crypto mining, severe weather, and war impacting raw material exports continue to plague the global chip industry to this day. The lack of availability of the new consoles also led to scalpers taking advantage of the situation, leaving a sour taste for consumers.Console makers managed to turn things around, and while sales of the new consoles were not as good as they could have been, 2022 saw some recovery, and 2023 managed to get console sales back on track, despite global economic worries. In the first eleven months of 2023, Sony managed to sell close to ** million PlayStation 5 consoles, with Microsoft’s Xbox Series X/S selling about *** million units.

Video Games Market Outlook 2031

The Video Games Market was USD 307.15 Billion 2022 and is likely to reach USD 652.91 Billion in 2031, expanding at CAGR of 8.74% during 2023 – 2031. The growth of the market is attributed to the technological advancement and innovation in both hardware and software.



Video game is developing as one of the most lucrative businesses in the entertainment sector. Constant development in Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) is serving the market.

Globally, easy availability and accessibility of games on the internet and increasing penetration of internet services are helping the market expansion. Developers in game industry are continuously updating and forcing the technological limits related to the real-time execution of graphics in the video game market. The increasing inclination towards online games from physical games is leading the market players to concentrate on efficiency and hardware compatibility.



Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO), multiplayer games, and Free2Play (F2P) are constantly gaining popularity, this is projected to continue over the next eight years. The increasing level of disposable income leads to rise the consumer spending on gaming products. Moreover, changing consumer preferences controls the huge adoption of advanced gaming consoles furnished along with advanced features including record and share and cross-platform gameplay.



The social media gaming is anticipated to cater the impact on shaping up the market growth. The presence of several genres of games includes role play, strategy, action, and simulation, which is expected to increase the interest of the customers. Increasing popularity of eSports tournaments and rising number of professional gamers are resulting in rising sales of video games and accessories including gaming hardware and software.



In corporate enterprises and educational institutes, the demand of this market is rising. The acceptance of gaming as an educational tool gives chances for cognitive and deeper learning. The concept of ‘gaming to learn’ is present there for longer period of time. Still, the potential of gamification possibilities in academics is exploited.

<span style=&qu

The emergence of free-to-play games and fifth-generation consoles has provided steady revenue within the video game industry. However, since 2020, current-generation consoles have reached the mature life cycle phase, and console sales are down as of 2024. Despite the continued popularity of mobile gaming and AAA franchises, many markets within the industry await next-generation releases and have expressed a willingness to hold off on purchasing many industry products in the meantime. Consequently, revenue growth has stalled over the past five years, decreasing at a CAGR of 2.2% to $109.4 billion through 2025. In 2025, however, revenue has increased 7.8% in 2025, as releases from Nintendo and Rockstar Games have generated more player interest. Despite operational challenges and a high-interest rate environment for much of the current period, the gaming industry has benefited from the continuous releases of popular games. Generating millions of viewers daily, streaming platforms and popular streaming celebrities continue to sustain interest in many industry offerings, boosting sales. Leading companies, such as Sony and Microsoft, continue to evolve and have made a series of acquisitions, which have consolidated the industry during the current period. They have also adopted AI to automate their operations and maintain profit levels as costs increase due to tariffs. Moving forward, gaming developers are projected to invest more of their resources in developing mobile games and games that leverage the latest AI, VR and cloud technology. Despite the absence of new console releases from most companies during much of the period, consumer demand will remain high in the short term, though evolving trade policy could threaten the industry's ability to meet consumer demand moving forward. Despite these challenges however, future innovation and the eventual release of next-generation consoles will lead to industry revenue increasing at a CAGR of 7.3% to $155.4 billion through 2030.

The US video game industry, a powerhouse of entertainment and technology, is projected to experience robust growth over the next decade. With a 2025 market size of $57.91 billion, a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.41% indicates a significant expansion to approximately $128 billion by 2033. This growth is fueled by several key factors. The increasing popularity of mobile gaming, driven by widespread smartphone penetration and readily accessible free-to-play models with in-app purchases, contributes significantly to market expansion. The continued evolution of console and PC gaming, with advancements in graphics, gameplay, and online multiplayer experiences, maintains a strong segment of the market. Furthermore, the rise of esports and streaming platforms creates new revenue streams and broadens the industry's reach, attracting both players and viewers. Geographic distribution shows strong performance across all US regions, with potential for disproportionate growth in regions with higher concentrations of young adults and access to high-speed internet. However, the industry faces challenges. Increasing development costs for high-fidelity games present a significant hurdle for smaller studios. Competition from other forms of entertainment, including streaming services and social media, also impacts market share. Furthermore, ensuring ethical monetization practices and mitigating issues such as in-game purchases targeting younger audiences are critical for long-term sustainable growth. The industry's response to these challenges will influence its trajectory, shaping a landscape where innovation in game design, marketing, and distribution will determine market leaders. The continued success of established players like Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, and Nintendo, alongside the emergence of innovative independent developers, will contribute to the dynamic evolution of this substantial sector. Recent developments include: May 2022: Electronic Arts has partnered with Middle-earth Enterprises, a division of The Saul Zaentz Company, to develop a new free-to-play mobile game. The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth is a Collectible Role-Playing Game (RPG) that brings the fantasy and adventure of The Lord of the Rings to existing fans and new audiences alike in a strategic, social-competitive experience., April 2022: Activision Blizzard, Inc. announced that its stockholders approved Microsoft Corporation's proposal to acquire the company. In January 2022, Microsoft announced plans to acquire Activision Blizzard for USD 95.00 per share in an all-cash transaction. The proposed transaction is expected to close in Microsoft's fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.. Key drivers for this market are: Growing Cloud Gaming subscriptions, Increasing trend fpr PVP format. Potential restraints include: Huge capital investments in R&D. Notable trends are: Mobile Gaming Segment Expected to Dominate the Market.

The Report Covers US Gaming Market Share & Industry Trends and it is Segmented by Type (Mobile Gaming, Console Gaming, and PC Browser/Downloaded). The market size and forecasts are provided in terms of value (USD million) for all the above segments.

Since the first video games emerged in the 1970s, video game companies have continually redefined entertainment, offering users an unparalleled interactive experience that distinguishes gaming from TV, streaming services and more. Shifts in various trends, like mobile video games and online ways to buy games becoming much more popular in the period, have also been helping this industry. These developments laid the groundwork for a remarkable growth trajectory in industry revenue—peaking at a compounded annual growth rate of 7.7% leading up to 2024 and expanding 5.2% that year. However, this explosive growth brought on considerable challenges. Significant developers like Sony and Microsoft drove consolidation through high-profile acquisitions, such as Microsoft's bid for Activision Blizzard, which drew scrutiny from FTC and EU regulators. Merger activity like this aims to position these companies at the forefront of a market with rising development costs, high inflation and a complete return to outdoor lifestyles. Antitrust regulations could reshape industry practices, prompting businesses to consider new approaches for sustainable growth. Various developments in mobile gaming platforms, such as the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, will align with consumer desires for flexible, on-the-go entertainment, but neither remotely eclipses the popularity of smartphone gaming. The popularity of downloadable games has minimized overhead, yet digital storefronts challenge smaller developers through steep fees. Independent developers could see improved profit as legislative pressure mounts to reduce these fees. But, AI-generated games represent both an opportunity and a threat—they promise reduced development times but imperil the careers of traditional designers. The video game industry's future will hinge on embracing technological advancements while navigating regulatory landscapes and shifting consumer habits. Revenue for this industry will expand at a CAGR of 6.5% towards $33.0 billion by 2029, even as profit will tighten. To thrive, developers must deftly balance innovation with adaptation to evolving market demands and legal frameworks.

Gaming Market is Segmented by Gaming Platform (Mobile Games, PC Games (Downloaded/Box & Browser), Console Games, and More), by Revenue Model (Free-To-Play (F2P), Pay-To-Play / Premium and More), by Genre (Action/Adventure, Shooter and Battle Royale and More) and Geography. The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

Employment statistics on the Video Games industry in United States

The global Video Games market size is expected to reach USD 752.86 Billion in 2032 registering a CAGR of 13.0%. Discover the latest trends and analysis on the Video Games Market. Our report provides a comprehensive overview of the industry, including key players, market share, growth opportunities,...

The size of the US Video Game Industry market was valued at USD XXX Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD XXX Million by 2032, with an expected CAGR of 9.41% during the forecast period.The US video game industry is a strong force in the global entertainment scenario. Video games are something of interactive experiences with characteristics of storytelling and visuals to create an immersive world of gameplay. They can be played on various platforms: main consoles such as PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch; on personal computers, PCs; and mobile devices.Video games evolved from very simple arcade titles into highly complex, multi-player experiences. They represent various genres, including action and adventure games, role-playing games (RPGs), and even strategy games. Video games also have discovered educational uses, training simulations, and even as therapy. Applications include teaching problem-solving, history, or language acquisition. In addition to this, video games provide social communication and community because players connect online to share gaming experiences. Recent developments include: May 2022: Electronic Arts has partnered with Middle-earth Enterprises, a division of The Saul Zaentz Company, to develop a new free-to-play mobile game. The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth is a Collectible Role-Playing Game (RPG) that brings the fantasy and adventure of The Lord of the Rings to existing fans and new audiences alike in a strategic, social-competitive experience., April 2022: Activision Blizzard, Inc. announced that its stockholders approved Microsoft Corporation's proposal to acquire the company. In January 2022, Microsoft announced plans to acquire Activision Blizzard for USD 95.00 per share in an all-cash transaction. The proposed transaction is expected to close in Microsoft's fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.. Key drivers for this market are: Growing Cloud Gaming subscriptions, Increasing trend fpr PVP format. Potential restraints include: Huge capital investments in R&D. Notable trends are: Mobile Gaming Segment Expected to Dominate the Market.

Snapshot img

Gaming Software Market Size 2025-2029

The gaming software market size is forecast to increase by USD 56.3 million, at a CAGR of 6.4% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is experiencing significant growth, driven by revolutionary advancements in gaming engines that support experiences in tablet games. This technological evolution is attracting a larger player base and fueling the market's expansion. Another key trend is the increasing popularity of eSports, which has transformed gaming from a pastime into a professional sport, creating new revenue streams and opportunities for market participants. However, the high capital requirement for developing advanced gaming software and the need for strong online platforms and development tools pose challenges.
Companies must invest heavily in research and development, marketing, and infrastructure to compete effectively in this dynamic and competitive landscape. To capitalize on market opportunities and navigate challenges, gaming software companies must stay abreast of emerging technologies and consumer preferences, while also maintaining a strong financial position. Augmented reality and virtual reality technologies are revolutionizing the gaming industry, providing new dimensions to gaming experiences.

What will be the Size of the Gaming Software Market during the forecast period?

Request Free Sample

The market is witnessing significant advancements, with artificial intelligence (AI) playing a pivotal role in enhancing game accessibility and player experience. The market also caters to video gamers on mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, through mobile gaming software. Cultural sensitivity is a growing concern, leading to the adoption of inclusive design and localization tools. Game preservation is another trend, with data mining and procedural generation techniques used to revive legacy games. Live operations, game events, and player behavior analysis are essential for monetization strategies, which include content updates, player support, and game balance adjustments. 
Game Engines are being optimized with AI to improve performance and enable cross-platform development. Machine learning algorithms are employed for game economy modeling and player segmentation. Cloud infrastructure, edge computing, and game physics are crucial for delivering seamless gaming experiences. Security is paramount, with game updates addressing vulnerabilities and advertising networks ensuring player privacy. Game modding and graphical fidelity continue to be key areas of focus for developers.

How is this Gaming Software Industry segmented?

The gaming software industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Type

  Mobile games
  Console games
  PC games


Revenue Stream

  Box and CD game
  Shareware
  Freeware
  In-app purchases


Platform

  Game engine
  Gaming tools
  Audio engine
  Physics engine


End-user

  Individual
  Enterprise


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada


  Europe

    Germany
    Russia
    UK


  APAC

    Australia
    China
    India
    Japan
    South Korea


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Type Insights

The mobile games segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Mobile Gaming software, a segment of the dynamic gaming industry, has witnessed significant growth due to the widespread use of mobile phones and tablets. The availability of affordable, high-resolution mobile devices and increasing access to high-speed Internet through 5G technology in major markets like China, the US, Germany, and the UK, has boosted mobile gaming as a preferred platform. In 2024, approximately 2 billion mobile gamers were active worldwide. Mobile games dominate online application stores such as Apple App Store and Google Play, accounting for 25%-30% of the applications downloaded on Android and iOS platforms in 2023.

One significant segment of this market includes games used for competitive play, such as those in the E-sports scene. These include popular titles like Dota 2 and League of Legends, which are supported by platforms like Faceit and ESL. Game analytics, an essential component of the gaming industry, is used to monitor and analyze player behavior, game performance, and user experience. AI scripting and physics engines power game mechanics, ensuring realistic gameplay user experiences. App stores serve as crucial distribution channels for game developers, enabling them to reach a global audience. Game streaming and cloud gaming have emerged as new trends, offering players the convenience of playing games on various devices without the need for high-end hardware. Game design software, including level design, level editor, user

Field Description img : URL slug for the box art at vgchartz.com title : Game title console : Console the game was released for genre : Genre of the game publisher : Publisher of the game developer: Developer of the game critic_score: Metacritic score (out of 10) total_sales : Global sales of copies in millions na_sales : North American sales of copies in millions jp_sales : Japanese sales of copies in millions pal_sales : European & African sales of copies in millions other_sales : Rest of world sales of copies in millions release_date : Date the game was released on last_update : Date the data was last updated

A 2024 survey of global gaming studios found that over *********** responding video game developers thought that an increased adoption of ****************** was going to be the biggest industry trend in 2025. According to ** percent of respondents, an ************************ was going to be the biggest trend in the next year.