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Because the yr involves an in depth, we have been looking again on the high video games and developments of the yr, reflecting on a yr of change within the {industry}.
As a part of our 2025 retrospective, we requested our Cell Professionals – a group of video games {industry} specialists – a number of questions concerning the yr passed by.
Right here we ask:
What are your predictions for the video games {industry} in 2026?
We already spoke with the Cell Professionals about their predictions beforehand right here and right here.
Be taught concerning the newest {industry} developments and what’s in retailer for the yr forward within the video games {industry} at Pocket Gamer Connects London on January nineteenth and twentieth. Not on the town? Try our different world occasions right here.
Alina Zlotnik
Head of Market Insights
at AppMagic
Quick-growing markets will continue to grow.
In 2025, we noticed robust obtain progress in nations like Ukraine, Romania, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, and the Czech Republic with no clear indicators of slowdown.
These audiences are additionally getting higher at monetising, so these areas are prone to stay among the many fastest-growing subsequent yr. Income progress potential in Latin America and MENA additionally seems robust, as these markets haven’t hit their ceiling but.
Curiosity in D2C and internet retailers will proceed to rise.
Though various funds nonetheless make up a comparatively small share of income in main markets just like the US and China, builders are clearly paying extra consideration to those fashions and that pattern is prone to proceed.
Reaching top-grossing positions with out stay ops and meta methods will turn into uncommon.
The market is more and more demanding video games which might be constructed for long-term operation. Titles with out deep meta or stay ops can nonetheless succeed with robust writer backing or a strong IP (like Disney Magic Match 3D).
However usually, sustainable income now comes from well-designed monetisation, layered meta methods, and constant stay ops.
Vladimir Nikolsky
CEO and Founder
at Utmost Video games
Success in 2026 will hinge on a studio’s capability for daring, decisive motion. After preliminary validation, winners will not scale cautiously; they may orchestrate a speedy, all-in blitz – securing main funding to dominate consumer acquisition in a single, highly effective surge.
The sluggish, incremental launch is a relic; it leaves the door open for fast-moving rivals. Victory would require not simply the braveness to take this leap, but additionally the operational excellence to execute it flawlessly and seize the vital window of alternative.
The largest hits will come from a wise mixture of creativity, stay ops, advertising, and funding. Video games that pull these parts collectively will stand out, whereas solo builders and tiny groups will wrestle.
Alisa Akifeva
Chief Advertising and marketing Officer
at Skich
One of the vital essential developments to look at proper now could be what’s occurring round antitrust modifications within the US.
The rulings towards Google are set to considerably decrease the boundaries for various app shops on Android, from simpler distribution by means of Google Play to broader entry to the Play ecosystem itself.
This can be a massive deal, as a result of it offers various shops an actual probability to compete on product and expertise, not simply exist on the margins.
On the similar time, we’re very curious to see how 2026 will play out in Japan after the latest modifications to the iOS market. Japan is a serious cell gaming market and the way gamers and builders reply there might be an essential sign for the remainder of the {industry}.
And naturally, various distribution isn’t nearly charges or coverage, it additionally has the potential to meaningfully enhance discovery. As AI instruments make recreation growth quicker and extra accessible, the variety of new video games will solely develop.
Fixing discoverability in that surroundings is changing into one of many greatest challenges in cell gaming, and various shops can play a key function there.
Vladimir Markov
CEO
at Prime App Video games
The largest alternatives might be in hybrids: easy, sticky hypercasual mechanics paired with deep, long-term development. There might be no room for errors, because the market is more durable than ever.
Focus and suppleness matter greater than something. Success usually differs from failure just by the variety of makes an attempt. And once you discover your thought, you must decide to it and see it by means of to a wonderful consequence. Don’t unfold your self too skinny; concentrate on what you really consider in.
Gil Tov-Ly
Chief Advertising and marketing Officer
at Appcharge
My predictions are direct-to-consumer centered. 2026 would be the yr D2C stops being a aspect hustle and turns into the way in which probably the most severe studios are constructed, run, and beloved by their gamers. I see three core drivers of this alteration:
1. The rise of the “VP of D2C”
In 2026, we’ll see extra formal D2C management roles seem, however the actual change is scope. The VP of D2C (or equal) will personal a full industrial line of enterprise – technique, budgets, KPIs, and cross-functional roadmaps that minimize throughout UA, monetisation, stay ops, BI, and finance.
Studios that deal with D2C as a real P&L proprietor, not a side-project beneath monetisation, will transfer quicker and take larger swings.
2. Crossing 50% D2C forces web-first design
As extra main studios cross 50% D2C share of pockets, design will begin from the net and move again into the app, not the opposite manner round. Economies, stay ops calendars, and occasion ideas might be deliberate round internet worth first, with in-app affords tailored from D2C-native concepts. Inside high groups, the quiet default turns into: “What’s the internet retailer story right here?” earlier than any platform placement is even mentioned.
3. D2C turns into the “City Corridor” for loyal gamers
In 2026, probably the most superior publishers will flip their D2C presence into the central assembly place for his or her gamers. Net will host id, VIP and loyalty advantages, cross-game worth, and a transparent view of a participant’s relationship with the model.
Appcharge’s recreation portal and parking area merchandise are a part of this shift. They let studios construct a persistent “City Corridor” round their internet property: a spot gamers bookmark, return to for affords, occasions, and information, and start to see because the pure dwelling of the sport group quite than a aspect journey for cheaper purchases.
Diana Korkina
Chief Enterprise Improvement Officer
at Prime App Video games
I feel that direct-to-consumer monetisation and various distribution will proceed to develop. Gamers might be given a much bigger selection and profit on the place to make a purchase order. AI will get even stronger adoption.
Roman Gurskiy
Managing Director
at Gem Capital
A lot will rely upon the efficiency of video games corporations funded through the 2020 to 2021 funding increase fueled by the COVID pandemic.
We’re reaching the five-year mark since that spike in capital, making 2026 a make-or-break yr for these investments. If these startups ship robust outcomes, it’s going to set off a brand new spherical of industry-wide backing.
