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The gaming industry in the United States is bracing for a rare setback after a PwC report noted that the postponed release of Grand Theft Auto 6 could shave off nearly $2.7 billion from 2025 revenues.
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Rockstar Games’ next blockbuster was set to be one of the biggest launches in entertainment history, but with its delay, the industry faces a short-term cooling. Without the boost from GTA 6, fewer PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S|X consoles are expected to fly off shelves. Analysts estimate a decline of about 700,000 units, underlining how one franchise alone can move the hardware market.
PwC’s projections had originally placed GTA 6 at roughly $3 billion in its debut year. Now, the missed release means the industry will need to rely on mobile growth, subscriptions, and ongoing franchises to fill the gap until Rockstar’s hit finally lands.
Even with the setback, PwC believes the long-term picture looks healthy. The US gaming market was valued at $62.8 billion in 2024, up 3.6% from the year before. By 2029, it’s expected to climb to $87.4 billion, reflecting a 6.8% compound annual growth rate.
Analysts also see 2026 as a strong rebound year. With GTA 6 expected to launch then, combined with momentum in mobile gaming and subscription services, PwC forecasts an 11.5% growth rate for that year alone.
Mobile remains the powerhouse of US gaming. In 2024, titles like Roblox, Candy Crush Saga, and MONOPOLY GO! pulled in $37.5 billion, which made up more than 60% of the entire market.
That dominance is only set to grow. By 2029, mobile games are projected to generate $57.2 billion, nearly two-thirds of industry revenue. In-game ads are another major driver, expected to jump from $19.4 billion in 2024 to $35.2 billion in 2029, a growth rate of 12.7% annually.
The PC and console segment is still strong despite its reliance on big releases. Valued at $23.1 billion in 2024, it is forecast to hit $27.7 billion by 2029.
Hardware sales dipped 3% last year, but in-game transactions picked up the slack, generating $11 billion and accounting for more than 60% of console revenues. On the PC side, the market produced $5.7 billion in 2024 and is expected to edge up to $6.6 billion by 2029. Digital downloads and microtransactions continue to dominate, pushing boxed sales further into decline.
Subscription services are rapidly changing how players access content. Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, and Apple Arcade now have more than 60 million combined subscribers. Together, they contributed $6.6 billion in 2024, with expectations to hit $9.9 billion by 2029.
Esports is smaller but growing steadily. PwC valued the US esports market at $523 million in 2024, with a forecast of $689 million by 2029. Interestingly, revenue from competition rights is set to overtake sponsorships by 2028, signaling a shift in the business model.