The global gaming and esports industry continued its upward climb in 2021, with esports and live-streaming revenues projected to exceed $1 billion, according to the Newzoo 2021 Global Esports & Live Streaming Market Report. The figure represented a 14.5 percent year-on-year increase from the $947.1 million recorded in 2020, highlighting the sector’s accelerating expansion. Industry analysts cited broader internet access, pandemic-driven remote lifestyles, and flexible work schedules as key drivers behind increased demand for online entertainment. Technological advances in gaming engines and console hardware also contributed, enabling more immersive, near-realistic gameplay experiences. By the end of the year, the global esports audience was expected to reach 434 million viewers, while the wider gaming and streaming ecosystem was projected to grow to $3.5 billion by 2025.

Against this backdrop, several major releases stood out commercially in 2021. The following five titles emerged as the year’s highest-grossing games, representing a diverse mix of genres that captured global audiences.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (Publisher: Activision Blizzard) remained a dominant force despite launching in late 2020. Set during the early 1980s at the height of Cold War tensions, the first-person shooter bridges the storyline between Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops II. Players assume the role of Bell, a member of a multinational task force pursuing a Soviet operative known as Perseus. Beyond its campaign, the game’s multiplayer modes sustained long-term engagement throughout 2021. The title sold more than 5.7 million copies, generating roughly $678 million in revenue. Market analyst The NPD Group later ranked it as the best-selling video game of 2020 and among the top 20 titles in U.S. history by lifetime dollar sales.

Released in November 2021, Call of Duty: Vanguard (Publisher: Activision Blizzard) quickly became the best-selling game of its launch month and finished as the second-highest seller of the year. The milestone marked the fourteenth consecutive time a Call of Duty installment topped monthly sales charts. Set during the closing stages of World War II, the game explores the formation of early special forces units confronting a new global threat. While its competitive multiplayer attracted a large player base, the zombie mode received mixed reviews, with some critics pointing to limited innovation. Despite this, the title surpassed 4.5 million copies sold and maintained strong visibility on PlayStation Store rankings.

Madden NFL 22 (Publisher: Electronic Arts), released in August 2021, once again catered to fans of American football. Based on the National Football League, the game offered both single-player and multiplayer modes across all major platforms, including next-generation consoles. Critical reception was mixed, with praise directed at improvements to franchise mode and criticism focused on technical issues and limited evolution elsewhere. Even so, the game exceeded 4 million units sold and downloads, reinforcing the franchise’s dominance within the sports gaming market.

Sony’s MLB: The Show 21 (Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment) launched in April 2021 and quickly became the best-selling title of its release month. The baseball simulation attracted more than 4 million players, aided by the introduction of a two-way player feature. A new ballpark creator tool allowed users to design, share, and download custom stadiums, further boosting engagement. Sales figures showed approximately 2 million copies sold on PlayStation 4 alone, with another 2 million across other platforms, making it the year’s top-selling baseball game.

Completing the list, Resident Evil Village (Publisher: Capcom) debuted in May 2021 and quickly gained traction among horror fans. Set in a sprawling, snow-covered Eastern European village, the survival-horror title expanded on its predecessor with a larger environment and a greater emphasis on action. Players face aggressive Lycans that hunt in packs, forcing careful resource management and tactical combat. The game sold 4.5 million copies within its first two months and earned five nominations at The Game Awards 2021, winning one. It was released across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Stadia platforms, securing its place as one of the year’s most successful releases.