US video game spend up 3% in December, fuelled in part by 24% increase in subscription services

January 23, 2026 - 01:06

Consumer spending on video games in the United States saw a modest year-over-year increase of 3% in December, reaching a total of $5.9 billion. This growth was largely driven by a significant surge in spending on subscription services, which jumped by 24% compared to the same period last year. This category includes access to major services like Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, and other recurring content libraries.

The overall market performance presented a mixed picture. While subscription revenue soared, spending on mobile games experienced a slight decline of 1%. The hardware segment also faced challenges, with sales of consoles and accessories dropping by 9% year-over-year. This dip is largely attributed to the market's position late in the current console generation cycle, where major new hardware releases were absent.

Content sales, encompassing full-game purchases, downloadable content, and add-ons, remained a stable pillar of the industry. This segment grew by 4%, indicating continued strong engagement from players with new and existing titles. The data suggests a shifting landscape where recurring access to vast game libraries is becoming an increasingly powerful driver of industry revenue, even as traditional hardware sales cool and mobile gaming plateaus.