Worldwide Home Video Game Console Forecast Update, 2022–2026: Subscriptions Make Headway in a Down Year
This IDC study forecasts home video game console hardware, software, and service use and spending through 2026 in four regions: North America, Western Europe, Asia/Pacific, and a combined rest of the world (ROW) region. The 7th to 10th-gen consoles are considered in grouped categories. Packaged game discs/cards are broken out from digital game–related spending. Gaming subscription revenue and spending on paid games, DLC, and F2P games are additionally forecast worldwide and regionally. The study examines key market events as well, and it offers advice and guidance to market suppliers."We anticipate that spending on home console hardware, games, and services will fall by almost 12% this year compared to 2021 due to a variety of factors. We expect a slow recovery through 2026, however, with subscription-based revenue outpacing other market segments." — Lewis Ward, research director of Gaming, eSports, and AR/VR at IDC
Please Note: Extended description available upon request.
- IDC Market Forecast Figure
- Executive Summary
- Advice for Technology Suppliers
- Market Forecast
- Worldwide Forecast
- North America Forecast
- Western Europe Forecast
- Asia/Pacific Forecast
- Rest of World (LA, MEA, and CEE) Forecast
- Market Context
- Drivers and Inhibitors
- Drivers
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch 2 Are All Hits
- Subscription Outlays Increase
- Inhibitors
- Component Shortages and Supply Chain Bottlenecks
- Denouement of the COVID-19 Pandemic
- High Inflation and/or Recessionary Impacts in Key Console Markets
- Significant Market Developments
- Changes from Prior Forecast
- Market Definition
- Methodology
- Related Research
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