It seems that PC gamers are increasingly comfortable with spending money in their games. According to the 2025 PC and Console Gaming Report by Newzoo, about 58% of total PC gaming revenue in 2024 came from in-game purchases.
In-Game Purchases Dominate the Market
This 58% share, equal to a massive $24.4 billion, marks a 1.4% year-over-year increase. Three major titles were the driving force behind this growth: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Roblox, and Fortnite—all of which are known for their heavy in-game monetization systems.
DLC Content Also Sees Modest Growth
In addition to in-game purchases, downloadable content (DLC) also experienced a slight bump in 2024. The report shows that DLC revenue grew 0.8%, reaching $5.3 billion, which now makes up 14% of total PC gaming revenue. Popular expansions and content updates for games like Diablo 4, Elden Ring, and World of Warcraft contributed significantly to this number.
Premium Games Face a Decline
While in-game purchases and DLC are on the rise, premium PC games—those that require an upfront purchase—have seen a drop. Despite still making up 28% of the total market, premium game revenue fell to $10.7 billion, down 2.6% compared to the previous year. This shows a continuing shift in how players spend money in the PC gaming ecosystem.
Overall PC Gaming Revenue Rebounds
After a dip in revenue between 2021 and 2022, the PC gaming market made a slight comeback in 2024. Total revenue reached $37.3 billion, showing overall 5.4% growth since 2022. The market seems to be stabilizing with a growing focus on ongoing content and microtransactions.
Future Projections Look Promising
Newzoo’s forecast suggests that PC gaming revenue will continue to grow steadily. They predict revenue will climb to $37.9 billion in 2025 and surpass $40 billion by 2027, showing the long-term strength of the platform even as player spending habits evolve.
