Strategy Games Market Report 2026

The strategy games market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $17.86 billion in 2025 to $19.52 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of personal computer gaming adoption, expansion of online multiplayer ecosystems, increasing popularity of strategy-based esports, rising availability of broadband connectivity, growth of free-to-play gaming models.

The strategy games market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $27.61 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to expansion of cloud gaming platforms, increasing adoption of subscription-based gaming services, rising demand for immersive strategy experiences, growth of mobile strategy gaming audiences, increasing use of ai-assisted game design. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of ai-driven opponent systems, growing integration of cross-platform strategy gameplay, expansion of live-service strategy games, rising use of data-driven player balancing, increasing focus on competitive multiplayer strategy.

The growing popularity of eSports is expected to drive the expansion of the Strategy Games market in the coming years. eSports refers to organized, competitive video gaming events that attract spectators via live streams, broadcasts, or in-person tournaments, simulating professional sports competitions. The rise in eSports popularity is fueled by a rapidly expanding global audience, which draws more players, viewers, and sponsors into competitive gaming. Strategy games support this trend by offering complex, skill-based challenges and tactical gameplay that appeal to both players and spectators, making them central to eSports tournaments and leagues. For example, in December 2025, according to GitNux, a US-based global eSports statistics source, over 532 million people worldwide were watching competitive gaming, while the global eSports market, valued at $1.38 billion in 2022, is projected to reach $5.48 billion by 2029. Therefore, the rising popularity of eSports is contributing to the growth of the Strategy Games market.

Leading companies in the strategy games market are focusing on innovative solutions, such as mobile game sets, to meet the demand for accessible, on-the-go gaming experiences and to reach a broader audience across various demographics. A mobile game set includes in-game items, assets, or features such as characters, levels, or skins, enhancing gameplay with themed content and challenges. For instance, in October 2024, CCP Games, an Iceland-based video game company, launched EVE Galaxy Conquest, a free-to-play 4X strategy game set in the expansive universe of EVE Online. The game features fast-paced 4X gameplay that integrates resource management, diplomacy, and combat, enabling players to expand their empires while engaging in strategic battles. Players can choose from four powerful empires, assemble unique fleets with distinct commanders, and form alliances or engage in warfare to dominate the galaxy.

In July 2023, Savvy Games Group, a Saudi Arabia-based gaming company, acquired Scopely for $4.9 billion. This acquisition aims to strengthen Savvy's presence in the global gaming market, diversify its portfolio with Scopely's expertise in mobile strategy games, and enhance its capabilities to deliver innovative and engaging gaming experiences to a wider audience. Scopely Inc., a US-based interactive entertainment company, specializes in developing mobile strategy games, contributing to the evolving landscape of the gaming industry.

Major companies operating in the strategy games market are Nintendo Co. Ltd., Activision Blizzard Inc., Blizzard Entertainment Inc., Electronic Arts Inc., Epic Games Inc., Zynga Inc., SEGA Corporation, Nexon Co. Ltd., Square Enix Holdings Co. Ltd., Ubisoft Entertainment SA, Riot Games Inc., Bigben Interactive SA, The Creative Assembly Limited, Paradox Interactive AB, Firaxis Games Inc., Blue Byte GmbH, Stardock Corporation, Frozenbyte Inc., Chucklefish Limited, Slitherine Ltd., Ensemble Studios Inc.

North America was the largest region in the strategy games market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the strategy games market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the strategy games market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The strategy games include revenues earned by entities by providing services such as game development services, game publishing and distribution, online and multiplayer services, post-launch services, community engagement services, and monetization services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The strategy games market also consists of sales of products including esports and competitive products, mobile and cross-platform products, and community-created products. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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