According to the new Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report, titled 'Video Gaming Report 2026', the sector is expected to register a sustained 6% annual growth between 2026 and 2030, driven by technological innovation and a shift in player consumption habits.
The Resurgence of Player Engagement A survey conducted by BCG of 3,000 users highlights that 55% of players have increased their playtime in the last six months. Although only 27% of players are currently regular users, it is projected that the revenue from this technology will grow from $1.4 billion in 2025 to $18.3 billion in 2030, surpassing 50 million users.
Similarly, the distribution of mobile games is undergoing a revolution due to regulatory actions that allow the opening of alternative app stores. 40% of respondents claimed to consume more of this type of content than the previous year, while 55% of players admitted they would try a new game if their favorite content creator decided to switch titles.
Cloud Gaming and New Distribution Channels The cloud gaming segment is poised for imminent massification. BCG's metadata analysis revealed that approximately 7,300 games released through the third quarter of 2025 used AI to improve code efficiency, automate quality control, and create personalized real-time gaming experiences.
On the other hand, user-generated content (UGC) is profiled as an expanding economy. However, the market faces economic challenges, as 49% of consumers expect discounts before making a purchase and 31% would avoid acquiring titles if prices continue to rise.
Giorgo Paizanis, a BCG partner and co-author of the study, explained in the third person that the post-pandemic stagnation is disappearing. The report emphasizes that video games are no longer exclusive to younger generations: over 40% of baby boomers and 50% of Generation X spend five or more hours weekly on this activity.
55% of players increased their activity after the post-pandemic slump Following the post-pandemic slowdown, the video game industry is recovering with greater participation from adult generations and the expansion of cloud gaming.
Ernesto Pagano, Managing Director and Senior Partner at BCG, commented that an explosion of content is expected in the next five years. Paizanis pointed out that the growing accessibility across multiple screens allows parents who grew up playing to maintain their hobby, integrating gaming into more moments of their daily lives.
Generative AI and User-Generated Content (UGC) The adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been consolidated as a fundamental tool, with estimates indicating that 50% of studios already use it in their processes.
