Every Wednesday, we break down the latest data, research and financial results into digestible chunks. Read on for the numbers you need to know about without the fluff.
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Pokémon Go passes $9bn in lifetime revenue at its 10th anniversary
The US leads on both – $3.6bn revenue and 145m downloads – while Japan ranks second in revenue at $2.4bn despite placing sixth in downloads (30m), giving it the highest revenue-per-download of any major market.
Gameloft posts $153.5m in H1 2026 revenue
While 49% of revenue came via PC and console, its top five performers were all mobile titles: Disney Dreamlight Valley, Disney Magic Kingdoms, Disney Speedstorm, Asphalt Legends, and March of Empires.
Sony Music Japan buys stake in Puzzle & Dragons maker GungHo for around $179m
The deal – expected to close December 30 – makes SME GungHo’s largest shareholder. The two companies plan to explore joint game development across mobile, console and PC, potentially using Sony Music’s own IP. GungHo will remain independently listed.
Burlingame Studios secures $12m in UA financing
Burlingame Studios has secured $12m in non-dilutive user acquisition financing from PvX Partners, tied to the newly rebranded Flourish by Garden Joy (formerly Garden Joy). The studio, founded by veterans of CrowdStar, Glu Mobile, and EA, will use the funding to scale marketing without giving up equity.
Global games market forecast to hit $213.9bn in 2026
Newzoo forecasts the global games market will reach $213.9bn in 2026, up 6.1% year-on-year, with growth across every region and platform.
Mobile remains the largest platform at $121.1bn, ahead of console ($46.9bn) and PC ($45.9bn). The global player base is expected to reach 3.7bn, up 4.4%.
Roblox creators added $752m to the US economy in 2025
Creators earned over $1.5bn globally in 2025, up from $923m in 2024, with 66% of US creator earnings ($444m) going to areas outside major tech hubs, part of what Roblox calls “decentralizing wealth outside of traditional tech hubs.”
Southeast Asia’s games market to pass $7bn by 2030
Indonesia leads by player count with 126m gamers, while Thailand is on track to pass $2bn in player spending this year.
