Surge in PC Game Development Reflects Shifting Trends in the Industry
Recent findings from Informa’s latest "State of the Game Industry" survey, conducted in partnership with Omdia, reveal a significant increase in the number of game developers focusing on PC projects. This year, 80% of developers are currently working on PC games, a dramatic rise from 66% in 2022. This statistic represents the highest percentage recorded for PC development since at least 2018, when only 60% of developers reported similar focus.
Growing Interest in PC as a Platform
The survey, which gathered insights from over 3,000 industry professionals, also noted a rise in developer interest in the PC platform itself—74% of respondents expressed enthusiasm for PC game development, an increase from 62% in the previous year. This growth is noteworthy considering that the percentage of developers engaged with the PC had typically fluctuated between 56% and 66% in the years leading up to this survey.
In comparison to other platforms, PC has consistently dominated developer interest, overshadowing consoles and mobile platforms where active work ranges from 12% to 36% of respondents. Informa’s report characterized this increase in PC development as a "passion for PC development [exploding]," with the PC solidifying its dominance within the gaming industry.
Record Releases on Steam Point to Robust Engagement
The surge in PC game development is further mirrored in the increase in game releases on the Steam platform, which recorded 18,974 individual titles for the year 2024—an increase of over 32% from 2023. In fact, the number of releases has more than doubled since 2022, despite some titles being classified as "Limited Games" due to not meeting Valve’s minimum engagement criteria for monetization features like Badges and Trading Cards.
The Steam Deck Effect?
While the survey does not pinpoint a singular cause for the substantial increase in PC development, Informa postulates that the rising popularity of Valve’s Steam Deck may play a crucial role. Valve has officially announced "multiple millions" in sales of its portable gaming hardware, and estimates from GameDiscoverCo analyst Simon Carless suggest that between 3 million and 4 million units of Steam Decks were sold by October 2023. This marks a significant leap from reports of 1 million units shipped just a year prior.
Significance and Future Implications
This trend of increasing PC game development holds considerable implications for the gaming industry. It suggests a potential shift in focus toward more versatile and accessible platforms, as developers capitalize on the expanding audience drawn into PC gaming, buoyed by portable technology like the Steam Deck.
As the industry adapts to changing consumer preferences, the sustained success of PC platforms may encourage additional investment in diverse gaming experiences and stimulate innovation in game design. Moreover, the notable disparity in development focus compared to consoles and mobile platforms raises questions about the future landscape of gaming, where PC could further establish itself as a leading platform.
Ultimately, the survey results reflect not only a thriving development community but also underscore the importance of market dynamics where platforms can rapidly rise in prominence, fundamentally shaping the future of gaming. As the industry progresses, these trends merit close observation for their potential impact on both developers and consumers alike.
