Global game content revenue forecast to rise 2.3% to $229.1bn in 2030, supported by PC and Asia-Pacific market

Worldwide game content revenue is expected to climb 2.3% to $229.1 billion by 2030, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan. The forecast is driven by publishers enhancing engagement with current players via live-service features, premium offerings, subscriptions, and in-game purchases. However, factors such as higher console prices, inflation, increased development expenses, and lengthy production timelines could hinder this expansion.

The Asia-Pacific region is projected to dominate the gaming market, buoyed by a substantial mobile audience, robust PC gaming infrastructure, and ongoing enhancements in internet access. In terms of platforms, PCs are anticipated to dominate, with revenue expanding from $42.25 billion in 2025 to $49.23 billion in 2030, a 3.1% annual growth rate.

This surge is attributed to digital distribution, broader cross-platform availability, and robust performance in the Asia-Pacific region. Cloud gaming is expected to experience the most rapid growth, with global revenue projected to rise from $6.12 billion in 2025 to $9.71 billion in 2030, a 9.7% CAGR, facilitated by improved connectivity and subscription plans.

Console revenue is anticipated to benefit from the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 and the imminent launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. Nevertheless, S&P highlights that the Xbox Series has significantly weakened and expects the PC market to begin eroding Xbox software revenue by 2030. Recently, Xbox disclosed a 29% decline in hardware revenue, with overall revenue falling by $1.7 billion.

Gaming remains a growth industry, but the sector's future will increasingly hinge on maximizing value from existing players, as stated by Neil Barbour, an analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan. Publishers have successfully deepened monetization across primary platforms, yet they continue to grapple with elevated development costs, rising prices, and a more discerning consumer base.