Many game developers and publishers are increasingly turning their attention to the PC market, acknowledging its rising significance in the gaming ecosystem. A recent analysis sheds light on the burgeoning potential of PC gaming, offering a wealth of insights into the preferences and behaviors of its user base. This data paints a vivid picture of the shifting dynamics within the gaming landscape, reflecting the industry’s evolving priorities.
Market Insights from Newzoo
According to a report from PC Gamer, recent research conducted by analysis firm Newzoo reveals that the PC gaming sector is thriving, now outpacing consoles in popularity. During an upcoming keynote at the Game Developers Conference (GDC), Newzoo Consulting Director Ben Porter is set to announce that the number of PC gamers has surged past 907 million. Notably, a significant 92 percent of these players gravitate towards older titles, often from several years ago.
In 2023, the estimated number of PC players stood at approximately 873.5 million, a figure that has now grown to 907.5 million in 2024. In contrast, console players number around 653 million, reinforcing the notion that the PC gaming community continues to assert its dominance.
Newzoo’s findings are based on an extensive survey of 73,000 players, combined with player-hours data from over 10,000 games. The results indicate a strong preference for older, live service games, with 92 percent of players dedicating their time to titles that are six years or older. Specifically, 67 percent of player hours in 2024 were spent on games released six years ago or more, while titles between two to five years old accounted for an additional 25 percent. Only eight percent of players engaged with games launched within the last two years. Some of the most popular older PC titles include:
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive/Counter-Strike 2 (7.1%)
- League of Legends (6.4%)
- Roblox (6.2%)
- Dota 2 (5.8%)
- Fortnite (5.4%)
The diversity of the PC gaming demographic is reflected in these findings. While many anticipated releases demand cutting-edge hardware, a substantial number of users continue to rely on older systems with less advanced components.
The report also underscores the rising popularity of live service and free-to-play games, which tend to attract a wide audience by focusing on revenue generation through microtransactions or subscriptions. Despite the challenges associated with the live-service model, many publishers are prioritizing these ongoing projects due to their potential for sustained financial returns.
Newzoo is set to present its comprehensive findings at GDC on Thursday, where it will delve deeper into player engagement, revenue models, and spending habits projected for 2025. While the session is tailored for senior executives and strategists within the gaming industry, the insights shared are likely to resonate with gamers and PC enthusiasts alike.
