Analysts predict record growth for the gaming industry thanks to GTA 6 and Switch 2, despite a decline in the time spent by users in games

According to a fresh report from the analytics company Newzoo, the PC and console gaming industry is expected to grow steadily by 2027: revenues should reach $92.7 billion. The key drivers will be the long-awaited Grand Theft Auto VI and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console, which, according to experts, will be able to breathe life into the market after a period of stagnation caused by the pandemic.

The console segment is expected to show the greatest growth – by 7%, while the PC sector will add only 2.6%. However, despite the positive financial forecast, users have begun to devote noticeably less time to games. In the period 2021-23, the average duration of gaming sessions decreased by 26%.

In 2023, over 60% of all gaming time was spent on older titles such as Fortnite, Minecraft, Roblox, League of Legends, and GTA V. At the same time, Fortnite continues to gain momentum: its share of total gaming time in 2024 increased to 9.3% compared to 9.1% in the previous year.

Experts say the lack of significant technological or content breakthroughs is the reason for this stability. The number of users limiting themselves to playing two or three titles is also growing, and this trend is observed on all platforms.

On PC, users are more likely to try new games, primarily due to affordable indie and AA projects. On PlayStation, expensive AAA games predominate, and indie games account for less than 12% of gaming time. Xbox shows a more balanced picture thanks to Game Pass, but large releases nevertheless remain a priority for users.

The shift of gamers’ interest to a small number of games is holding back the development of both service projects and premium titles, which are finding it increasingly difficult to find their audience. At the same time, according to analysts, future growth in the industry’s revenue will not be provided by an increase in the number of copies sold, but by rising prices, including due to high-budget projects like GTA 6 and the new console from Nintendo.