Game Consoles (Global Market)

Playing (Xia)

• Gaming computers
• Game streaming and donation (global market)
• Game streaming and donation (Russian market)
• Game consoles (Russian market)
• Computer and Video Games (Global Market)
• Computer and video games (Russian market)
• Mobile Games (Global Market)
• Mobile games (Russian market)

2024

The volume of the global game console market for the year grew by 7.4% to $66 billion

In 2023, costs in the global game console market reached approximately $66 billion. This is 7.4% more compared to 2022, when the volume of the industry was estimated at $61.5 billion. Such data are reflected in the IDC study, the results of which TAdviser got acquainted with in early November 2024.

It is noted that sales of game consoles demonstrate cyclical dynamics. Demand rises after the release of the next generation devices, and then weakens as the market saturates. In particular, the emergence of new consoles Sony and Microsoft in 2020 pushed the industry up in 2021. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has become an additional stimulating factor, as consumers around the world, while in self-isolation, actively purchased products for home entertainment.

In 2022, due to the emerging macroeconomic situation and geopolitical tensions, there were restrictions in supply chains, which negatively affected the sales of gaming devices. But in 2023, many difficulties were overcome, and sales of consoles went up.

According to Counterpoint Technology Market Research, in 2022, in the total volume of shipments of game consoles in unit terms, about 45% fell on devices. Nintendo Another 36% were consoles, and Sony PlayStation the remaining 19% were consoles. In Microsoft Xbox 2023, the situation changed: the palm of the championship was intercepted, Sony showing a result of 49%. Nintendo fell to second place with a share of 37%, while the figure Microsoft decreased to 14%. In general, at the end of 2023, sales of game consoles in physical terms worldwide increased by about 10% compared to the previous year. In 2024, Sony, according to analysts at Counterpoint Technology Market Research, will retain its leadership thanks to the high popularity of the PlayStation 5.^[1]

MSI has released its first game console

In early January 2024, MSI unveiled its first game console, a handheld device called the Claw A1M. The Windows 11 Home operating system and the Intel Core Ultra hardware platform coexist in this gadget. Read more here.

2023

Global Portable Game Console Market Down to 19.3 Million Units

In 2023, approximately 19.3 million portable game consoles were sold worldwide. This is less than the figure for the previous year, when more than 20 million such devices were sold. And in 2021, sales reached almost 25 million units. Such data are provided in the Omdia study, the results of which were released at the end of April 2024.

Analysts take into account shipments of gadgets such as Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation Vita, etc. It is noted that previously portable gaming devices were equipped with hardware components that were significantly different from the electronic nodes of stationary consoles. This required the formation of separate game libraries aimed specifically at the mobile segment. However, then the developers began to abandon such a model. For example, the Nintendo Switch combines the capabilities of a home console and a portable gaming system. In addition, devices for streaming the gameplay began to appear: for example, the PlayStation Portal gadget allows you to run games on the PlayStation 5 and broadcast gameplay via the Internet.

Technological advances contribute to the development of the global market for portable game consoles. The devices are equipped with high-quality displays, increasingly powerful processors with the ability to render high-quality graphics, modern communications, etc. At the same time, cross-platform functionality makes it possible to smoothly switch between different gaming systems.

Gone are the days when handheld consoles were a separate segment of the gaming market. Today, these devices coexist with computers and stationary game consoles, says James McWhirter, senior analyst at Omdia.

The authors of the study believe that in the future the demand for mobile consoles will grow. As a result, in 2028 their sales could reach 29.3 million units.^[2]

The world's first game console in the form of a smartwatch is presented

At the end of December 2023, the Retro Gaming Watch portable gadget debuted - the world's first retro gaming console made in the form of a smartwatch. The novelty allows you to run DOS games, as well as 8- and 16-bit games for popular consoles in the past. Read more here.

2021: The number of game consoles sold with the highest demand in all years

The number of consoles sold for all years as of December 31, 2021. The statistics do not include data sales of re-released analogues of classic models

Notes