New frontiers: What 2026 holds for the gaming industry

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New frontiers: What 2026 holds for the gaming industry

December 18, 2025•3 min

The video game industry is no longer just about entertainment. It’s a rapidly maturing economic sector commanding the attention of institutional investors, regulators, and global markets alike. As 2026 approaches, three distinct frontiers are shaping the next phase of growth: investment strategies, the evolution of mobile gaming, and the rise of web shops as a powerful channel for revenue and player engagement.

A new era of strategic Investment

Investment in gaming is no longer opportunistic. Capital is flowing strategically into studios with strong IP portfolios, scalable tech stacks, and cross-platform potential. Mergers and acquisitions are increasingly targeting ecosystem control: publishers aren’t just buying talent or games, they’re acquiring entire player funnels. Geographically, investment is diversifying. Emerging markets in Southeast Asia, MENA, and Latin America are becoming prime targets, not only for their growing user bases but for their creative output and favourable production economics. These regions are expected to play a larger role in shaping the global industry narrative by 2026.

Mobile gaming: consolidation and complexity

Mobile gaming is evolving from mass-market casual titles into a complex, data-driven, high-retention ecosystem. As user acquisition costs have increased more than 30% year-over-year, publishers are turning toward personalization, localization, and live-service operations to drive value. Mobile now supports console-quality experiences thanks to stronger GPUs, 5G rollout, and cloud-based rendering. Hybrid monetization models that blend in-app purchases, subscriptions, seasonal passes, and dynamic ad systems are becoming the norm. But crucially, regional tailoring of content and payment methods is proving essential, particularly in markets where mobile wallets and local currencies dominate.

Web shops and the legal battle for distribution control

Perhaps the most disruptive trend is the rise of developer-run web shops. By encouraging players to make purchases directly via the web, outside of app stores, developers can potentially avoid platform fees of up to 30%, while gaining full ownership of pricing, user data, and customer relationships. This movement has been accelerated by major legal battles. Epic Games V. Apple and Epic Games v. Google - both have challenged the legality of platform restrictions that prevent developers from offering alternative payment methods. In 2026, this could have sweeping consequences not just for gaming, but for all digital commerce. Meanwhile, the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into force in 2024, has already started to reshape the landscape. Under the DMA, gatekeepers like Apple and Google must allow developers to offer alternative app stores and payment systems on their platforms, opening the door for widespread adoption of web shops in Europe. Compliance is still uneven, but enforcement is expected to ramp up in 2026 and beyond. Some publishers are already ahead of the curve, offering exclusive discounts, skins, and bundles through web shops. In some cases, web shop revenues have grown to over 20% of total mobile in-game purchases, and that figure is expected to climb.

Monetization, not engagement, will define winners

As 2026 approaches, the video game industry isn’t just growing, it’s decentralizing. Investment is moving from speculative hits to sustainable platforms. Mobile gaming is no longer just about reach, but retention and monetization depth. And the rise of web shops, supercharged by global regulation and legal precedent, could permanently shift how games are sold. The core lesson for studios, investors, and platforms alike is simple: control the transaction, and you control the future. Ready to get a head start on 2026 and take control of your future? Schedule a meeting with an Xsolla expert today!