Australian Gaming in 2026: A Landscape Defined by Legacy Hits, New Hardware, and AI Revolution
SYDNEY, 27 January 2026 – The Australian gaming scene is a study in fascinating contrasts, where decade-old open-world epics maintain an iron grip on the charts while a new generation of hardware and artificial intelligence begins to reshape the industry’s future. Data from the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (IGEA) and a flurry of early-year releases paint a picture of a mature market valuing deep, social, and enduring experiences, even as developers harness AI to create them faster and more dynamically than ever before.
The Unshakeable Top 10: What Australia is Playing
Despite the constant influx of new titles, Australian player preferences show remarkable consistency. The top 10 most-played games, as tracked by IGEA, are dominated by expansive open-worlds, competitive multiplayer, and social party games. Titles like Grand Theft Auto V (and its standalone online component) and Red Dead Redemption 2 continue to command massive audiences years after release, a testament to their living, evolving worlds. This is complemented by the social draw of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the cooperative magic of It Takes Two, and the sporting passion fuelling EA Sports FC 25.
Key Titles Dominating Australian Screens
| Game | Primary Appeal |
|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto V / Online | Decade-defining open-world freedom & persistent online empire-building. |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 | Competitive shooter action with deep esports and streaming roots. |
| EA Sports FC 25 | Captures Australia’s football passion with local teams and commentary. |
| Mario Kart 8 Deluxe & Super Mario Party Jamboree | The quintessential social, couch-co-op experiences for all ages. |
| Hogwarts Legacy & Red Dead Redemption 2 | Immersive, narrative-driven open worlds that reward exploration. |
The New Wave: Nintendo Switch 2 and 2026’s Anticipated Releases
The gaming calendar for 2026 is already bustling, headlined by the successful launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. Flagship titles like Donkey Kong Bananza, Mario Kart World, and enhanced editions of Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond are driving the new hardware. Beyond Nintendo, the industry is gearing up for major releases such as Fable, Forza Horizon 6 (featured in an upcoming Xbox Developer Direct), and the next chapter in the Life is Strange saga, Reunion, due in March.
AI: The New Engine of Game Development and Marketing
The most significant shift behind the scenes is the pervasive adoption of generative AI. A recent Google Cloud survey indicates 90% of developers now use AI in their workflows, primarily to automate repetitive tasks and generate code. Industry leaders describe AI as an “Iron Man suit” for developers, accelerating creation and enabling more dynamic content. Concurrently, marketers face a double-edged sword: AI has fuelled a content boom but made player attention the scarcest resource. Success now hinges on data-driven insight over sheer volume, with a focus on cross-platform “play-anywhere” strategies.
Esports and Regulation: A Maturing Ecosystem
Australia’s esports scene remains vibrant, with ongoing competitions in Valorant (VCL OCE), Age of Empires IV (Road to Wololo qualifiers), and local Super Smash Bros. tournaments. Globally, 2026 will feature major events like the Esports World Cup with a US$75 million prize pool and the new Esports Nations Cup. This growth occurs alongside increased regulatory scrutiny worldwide. Governments are implementing stricter player protection laws, particularly for minors, and examining monetisation practices like loot boxes, signalling a move towards a more regulated industry landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular game in Australia right now?
According to IGEA data, Grand Theft Auto V and its online component continue to dominate the Australian charts, maintaining a top position for over a decade due to its vast, ever-updated open world.
What are the big gaming trends for 2026?
Key trends include the mainstream integration of AI in game development and marketing, the rise of “play-anywhere” cross-platform experiences, the maturation of the Nintendo Switch 2 ecosystem, and increased government regulation around player safety and monetisation.
Is mobile gaming still growing in Australia?
Yes. Mobile represents a significant portion of the global market, and Australian players increasingly expect seamless experiences across mobile, PC, and console. The lines between platforms are continuing to blur.