Gaming drove $94 Billion in income in 2025; downloads reached 52 Billion

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sensor Tower, a number one supplier of information on the digital economic system, at the moment launched its annual State of Gaming report for 2026. The report, which for the primary time contains information throughout cell, PC, and Console, reveals that in 2025 video games had been downloaded 52 billion instances throughout the three platforms. Mobile drives this quantity, with 95,000 cell video games downloaded per minute throughout that yr, although obtain progress has slowed from 2024. Meanwhile, greater downloads and premium sport income throughout PC/Console video games sign continued alternatives for progress.

Overall, cell sport income rose 1% to $82 billion, regardless of slowing obtain charges. This progress in IAP income suggests a concentrate on retaining, partaking, and monetizing current gamers in a mature market by way of ways like dwell ops, occasions, and IP collaborations. Accordingly, 2025 noticed cell sport advert spend develop on YouTube, a channel traditionally centered extra on PC/Console. This elevated share aligns with a broader shift towards monetization, concentrating on high-value audiences as an alternative of maximizing obtain quantity.

For PC and Console video games, income efficiency has seen double digit progress (+13%), whereas downloads and releases have additionally proven regular will increase at +7% and +8.4% respectively. Demand was largely pushed by AAA and Indie Action video games, with Indie titles like R.E.P.O. and Peak seeing probably the most downloads within the style. Sustained demand for a majority of these chaotic co-op choices suggests builders might even see success in combining a low friction value level with gameplay optimized for buddy teams and content material creators.

“2025 proved the strength of the PC/console ecosystem, fueled by viral indie hits, high-quality AA experiences, and reliable AAA pipelines–anchored by the year’s top-selling title, Battlefield 6. With GTA VI still ahead, that momentum will only accelerate into 2026,” stated Oliver Yeh, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Sensor Tower. “Meanwhile, mobile has entered a more mature phase. While downloads are harder to scale, opportunity has shifted to favor developers who prioritize retention, monetization, and innovation, with tactics like webstores and IP partnerships driving sustainable growth.”

More key findings embrace:

• Mobile gaming shifts in the direction of monetization: With downloads persevering with to shrink however income holding regular, every obtain must depend for extra. Retaining, partaking, and monetizing current gamers is essential.
• PC gaming sees one other report yr: Steam noticed extra report good points when it comes to items offered, premium sport income, and variety of video games launched, with progress primarily pushed by AAA and AA publishers.
• YouTube good points on cell, loses floor on PC/Console: While nearly all of cell sport advert spend nonetheless goes to cell app networks and YouTube continues to be #1 for PC/Console, YouTube spend share shifted from PC/Console to cell.
• Battlefield 6 ranks #1 in an intense yr for shooters: In a market stuffed with titans like Call of Duty and Fortnite and large launches together with Delta Force and Marvel Rivals, Battlefield 6 topped 2025 because the best-selling PC/Console sport of the yr.
• 4X Strategy takes over cell: Strategy is the one style to make good points in income, downloads, and time spent, led by the #1 and #2 video games, by income, of 2025 – Last War: Survival and Whiteout Survival.
• Content creator, buddy group experiences stand up: The #2 and #3 best-selling PC/Console video games of 2025 had been R.E.P.O. and PEAK, handily beating AAA video games with big audiences. GTA 6 would be the end result of this pattern.

About Sensor Tower
Sensor Tower is a worldwide supplier of digital intelligence options, empowering corporations to grasp shopper conduct and market efficiency throughout cell apps, digital platforms, and gaming ecosystems. Headquartered in San Francisco, Sensor Tower’s insights are trusted by greater than 2,500 enterprises worldwide.

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SOURCE Sensor Tower