Culture

Video Game Industry Surpasses Film and Music Revenue Combined

Video Game Industry Surpasses Film and Music Revenue Combined

The global video game market reached $217 billion in 2025, exceeding the combined revenue of the film and music industries. Gaming has become the dominant form of entertainment for younger generations.

Mobile gaming alone generated $136 billion, driven by free-to-play titles like "Genshin Impact" and "Honor of Kings." These games monetize through in-game purchases rather than upfront costs.

Sony's PlayStation 5 exclusive "Spider-Man 2" sold 10 million copies in three days, demonstrating that traditional console gaming remains strong despite mobile growth. The game generated more revenue than most Hollywood blockbusters.

"Gaming has evolved from a niche hobby to mainstream culture," said industry analyst Mat Piscatella. "More people play games than watch movies or listen to music in a typical week."

Cloud gaming services like Xbox Game Pass are changing business models. Subscription access to hundreds of games is disrupting the traditional $70 game purchase model, similar to how streaming transformed music and video.