Mobile Game D2C Revenues Hit $17 Billion as 62% of Publishers Say They Lag
Updated
Updated · Pocket Gamer.Biz · Jun 24
Mobile Game D2C Revenues Hit $17 Billion as 62% of Publishers Say They Lag
3 articles · Updated · Pocket Gamer.Biz · Jun 24
Summary
$17 billion in direct-to-consumer mobile game revenue now equals about 15% of the $113.3 billion in-app purchase market, based on a 2026 developer survey.
92% of publishers expect D2C revenue growth this year, with 41% forecasting double-digit gains, as companies chase first-party data, direct player relationships and more control beyond app stores.
35% median revenue uplift was reported by leading D2C adopters, versus 15% across all respondents, yet only 25% said their D2C operations are scaling or mature.
52% of respondents said they still have not made major strategic changes after the April 2025 Epic v. Apple ruling, showing adoption remains early despite policy shifts.
83% of companies now place D2C responsibility at director level or above, underscoring how direct sales are shifting from side project to core business function.