PC gaming is bringing home the bacon
Updated: Jan 27, 2025 9:09 am
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PC gaming continues to dominate the gaming market, driven by compounding advantages and changing consumer trends. According to a report by Epyllion (via WCCFtech), the revenue share for PC gaming has grown by an impressive 20% over the past decade, while console revenue has largely stagnated. This shift is significant, especially in a landscape where consoles have traditionally been seen as the dominant gaming platform.
The data reveals that PC gaming now generates up to 220% more revenue than consoles, highlighting its robust momentum. Epyllion attributes this growth to several factors, including backward compatibility, customizable performance settings, and the interactive ecosystem of PCs. The sluggish selling momentum of consoles (especially after 2021) has further fueled this shift in market dynamics.
A broader context: the gaming industry’s challenges
Epyllion’s “Gaming 2025” report illuminates broader industry trends. While PC gaming remains a bright spot, the gaming sector as a whole has faced hurdles in recent years. After the extraordinary growth between 2011 and 2021 (marked by a 150% increase in annual revenues), the industry has struggled to sustain its momentum post-pandemic. Between 2022 and 2024, the sector experienced a 3.5% decline in spending, with growth barely recovering thereafter.
Interestingly, console sales and engagement have fallen short of expectations despite the return of console and GPU availability after mid-2022 and a strong slate of content releases in 2023. In contrast, PC gaming has remained resilient, benefiting from its versatility and global reach. Steam, for example, has seen its user base in the APAC region grow significantly, with Asia now playing a pivotal role in driving the platform’s expansion.
PC gaming’s compounding advantages
The “Gaming 2025” report also underscores PC gaming’s unique strengths. Since 2011, PC content spending has grown by 65%, significantly outpacing the 28% growth in combined console content spending. PCs offer greater longevity, expansive libraries, and advanced customization options, making them the platform of choice for many gamers worldwide.
Additionally, the report highlights how Steam’s ecosystem has played a crucial role in consolidating the PC gaming market. In 2024, Steam’s active users hit an all-time high during APAC’s prime hours, underlining the region’s growing influence on the gaming industry. With strong engagement metrics and a vibrant user base, PC gaming is poised for further growth, even as the broader gaming industry faces challenges.
The future of gaming
While the competition between PC and console gaming remains intense, one thing is clear: the gaming industry as a whole must navigate a new set of challenges to reignite growth. For PC gaming, its steady expansion amidst industry headwinds showcases its enduring appeal. Whether this momentum will continue or consoles will make a resurgence remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the evolving preferences of gamers worldwide will continue to shape the future of this dynamic industry.
