Ben Porter, director at the consultancy firm NewZoo, is set to present key insights from the company’s annual analysis of the gaming industry at this week’s Game Developers Conference (GDC). A preview of his findings reveals that the PC gaming landscape is thriving, with a notable affection for classic titles among players.
PC Gaming Growth and Player Trends
NewZoo’s comprehensive survey, which encompasses responses from 73,000 players and data from over 10,000 games, indicates a steady expansion of the PC gaming market. In 2023, the number of PC gamers is estimated at 873.5 million, projected to rise to 907.5 million by 2024. This figure significantly surpasses the console gaming audience, which is expected to reach approximately 653.1 million in the same year.
Delving deeper into the data, NewZoo highlights that a substantial portion of these 908 million PC players gravitate towards older, live service games. From January to December 2024, an impressive 67% of player hours on PC will be dedicated to games that are six years or older. Additionally, 25% of playtime will be spent on titles aged two to five years, leaving only 8% for newer releases.
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive / Counter-Strike 2: 7.1% of total hours
- League of Legends: 6.4%
- Roblox: 6.2%
- Dota 2: 5.8%
- Fortnite: 5.4%
While there may be debate surrounding Counter-Strike 2’s classification—given its recent release as a remake of the beloved CS:GO—the overarching trend remains clear. A staggering 92% of player time is devoted to games that are more than two years old.
This phenomenon raises questions about the industry’s focus on live service games. The allure of a successful live service title lies in its potential for sustained revenue, yet many new entries struggle to capture player interest. The data suggests that gamers are often content with their established favorites, leading to a disconnect between consumer preferences and industry narratives that frequently spotlight the latest trends or failures.
As the PC gaming market continues to evolve, it reflects a diverse ecosystem where players have access to a wealth of options, including free-to-play titles and affordable older games. This dynamic illustrates the enduring appeal of classic games, akin to comfort food, as players return to their cherished experiences time and again.
