PC gaming revenue is expected to surpass console revenue by 2028, according to new industry forecasts from games market analytics firm Newzoo.

It marks the first time in roughly 15 years that PC has generated more revenue than consoles.

In its PC & Console Gaming Report 2026, Newzoo predicts PC game revenue will grow at a compound annual rate of 6.6% between 2025 and 2028, compared with 4.4% growth for consoles.

The overall PC and console games market is projected to reach US$103.7 billion ($158 billion) by 2028.

The sector is also beginning to recover after several years of stagnation following the pandemic-era boom. Combined PC and console revenue grew 7% year-on-year in 2025 to US$88.3 billion, with forecasts suggesting it will rise to US$94.3 billion in 2026.

Newzoo said this marks “the first notable expansion since the pandemic slowdown”, ushering in a more measured growth cycle through the rest of the decade.

Ben Porter, director of consulting at Newzoo, said PC gaming has been benefiting from steady growth rather than the cyclical hardware-driven model that defines consoles.

“PC tends to grow more steadily,” Porter said. “Consoles are shaped by generation cycles and hardware upgrades, which influence how and when players spend money.”

A key driver of PC growth is its expanding global player base, which Newzoo expects to exceed one billion players by 2028. Much of this growth is coming from East Asia, where markets such as China, South Korea and Japan are driving adoption of PC storefronts like Steam.

On the PC platform, premium games accounted for 29% of revenue in 2025, with releases across AAA, AA and indie segments helping drive an 11.8% increase in premium sales.

Consoles, however, remain more dependent on blockbuster releases and hardware cycles. Premium games accounted for about half of console revenue in 2025, with titles priced above US$50 representing nearly 80% of premium sales.

The report also identified changing pricing dynamics across the industry. Games priced between US$30 and US$50 are emerging as the fastest-growing premium segment, offering players a perceived balance between indie pricing and full-priced blockbuster titles.

Across both PC and console platforms, Roblox was the most-played franchise in 2025, followed by Fortnite and Call of Duty, according to Newzoo’s data.