console gaming Archives

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

PC gaming is growing, but it isn’t because of Dota 2 and Fortnite

The gaming industry is undergoing significant transformation, with a notable shift in revenue dynamics. According to Newzoo's 2026 report, PC gaming is expected to surpass console gaming by 2028, driven by lucrative titles like League of Legends and World of Warcraft. In 2025, 56% of PC gaming revenue will come from games outside the top 20, highlighting the growing importance of non-top titles. Total playtime in PC gaming has increased by 14% from 2022 to 2025, with non-top 20 games seeing a 44% rise in engagement. Player preferences are leaning towards RPGs and adventure games, while first-person shooters remain popular on Xbox despite some genre fatigue. The gaming industry is characterized by cyclical trends, indicating that while certain genres may decline temporarily, they are not obsolete.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

More than half of PC gaming revenue comes from games outside the top 20, according to analysts

Every year, a significant portion of players' engagement on consoles remains concentrated within the top 20 games, primarily in genres like sports, shooters, and sandbox experiences. According to Newzoo's PC & Console Gaming Report 2026, over half of the total revenue from PC gaming now comes from titles outside the top 20, with playtime for these games increasing by 44%, while engagement with the top 20 has plateaued. The PC ecosystem supports long-term interest in diverse titles, exemplified by games like Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, and Skyrim, which thrive years after release due to ongoing sales and community modifications. Survival games and action RPGs benefit from substantial content updates that attract new players. In contrast, PlayStation users tend to revisit classic first-party exclusives, while Xbox games not in the Game Pass library struggle for attention, with new free-to-play offerings accounting for less than 1% of overall playtime. The PC platform allows games to generate sales long after leaving bestseller lists, leading to frequent discounts on platforms like Steam to maintain sales momentum.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Analysts say PC gaming is now the one platform where more than 50% of revenue comes from games outside the top 20

Newzoo's PC & Console Gaming Report for 2026 indicates that revenue from PC gaming is shifting, with games ranked 21 and below increasing their share from 48% to 56% in Western markets by 2025. This growth includes a 44% rise in playtime for these lower-ranked games, while overall PC playtime increased by 14%. In contrast, playtime for the Top 20 titles has stagnated or declined. Popular titles like Elden Ring and Skyrim remain significant, but there is growing interest in survival games and action RPGs, such as Rust and DayZ, which benefit from ongoing support and updates. The report also notes a resurgence in retro gaming, with classic simulators appealing to nostalgic players. Newzoo highlights that games like REPO and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 continue to perform well even after leaving bestseller lists, indicating a broader audience interested in previously popular titles rather than just new releases.

AppWizard

April 16, 2026

“Games like Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, and Skyrim” help make PC gaming the only platform where over half of revenue is from “games outside the top 20,” report says

A recent analysis from Newzoo indicates that the PC gaming sector is experiencing a shift, with over 50% of revenue generated from games outside the top 20, projected to reach 56% by 2025 in Western markets, up from 48% in 2022. This trend highlights the growing diversity within the PC gaming market, as players increasingly invest time and money in less mainstream titles, particularly older games. The shift is notably pronounced in Eastern markets.

AppWizard

April 15, 2026

Newzoo: More than half of PC revenue comes from games outside the Top 20

Recent insights from Newzoo indicate a shift in the gaming landscape, with games ranked outside the Top 20 gaining revenue and playtime in Western markets. Between 2022 and 2025, PC games in this category saw their revenue share increase from 48% to 56%, and playtime rise from 33% to 45%. This trend is notable in key markets such as the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. While traditional shooter games are declining, genres like action RPGs and survival games are thriving, with titles such as Path of Exile 2 and Monster Hunter Wilds leading the way. By 2025, lower-ranked titles are projected to account for 38% of total revenue on PlayStation, up from 33% in 2022, with playtime for these titles increasing by 32%. On Xbox, games outside the Top 20 saw a 12% increase in playtime, representing 35% of revenue in 2025. Game Pass subscriptions are suggested to enhance playtime for these titles.

AppWizard

April 14, 2026

TIGA: PC and console continue to drive UK games development

Recent insights from TIGA indicate a shift in UK game studios' focus towards PC development, with 46% of studios identifying PC as their primary platform, and 56% of start-ups prioritizing PC development from May 2024 to September 2025. Mobile game development has declined from 33% to 31.6%, and jobs related to mobile gaming fell from 19% to 17.9%. The console gaming sector's job share increased from 47.2% to 50%, despite a 2.1% decrease in headcount at console-focused studios. TIGA reported a net loss of 1,537 development jobs, a 4.5% annualized decline, marking the UK gaming sector's most severe downturn on record.

AppWizard

April 14, 2026

TIGA: PC and console remain pivotal in driving game development in the UK

Recent findings from TIGA indicate that 46% of UK game studios are prioritizing PC game development, with projections suggesting that 56% of new projects from May 2024 to September 2025 will focus on PC gaming. The share of studios engaged in mobile game production has declined from 33% to 31.6%, and mobile gaming's contribution to total industry jobs has decreased from 19% to 17.9%. Conversely, the console gaming sector's employment share has risen from 47.2% to 50%, although the actual number of employees in console studios has decreased by 2.1%. The UK gaming industry has experienced a net loss of 1,537 development roles between May 2024 and September 2025, marking an annual decline of 4.5%.

AppWizard

April 5, 2026

I bought a PS5 on launch day but I won’t be buying a PS6, even though its exclusives aren’t coming to PC anymore

Jess Kinghorn, a hardware writer, has been exploring indie games like Sato Killing Time Chat.exe and D14L-ogue. She pre-ordered her PlayStation 5 in 2020 for £450, which has since increased to £570/€650 due to a memory supply crisis. Sony may delay the PS6's release until 2028 or 2029. Jess is reevaluating the costs of console gaming, noting that major game releases add to the financial burden. She feels disconnected from PlayStation-exclusive titles due to limited availability on PC and is fatigued by big-budget games. Jess prefers smaller games like Home Safety Hotline, Perfect Tides, and Ambrosia Sky: Act One, which are more affordable. While she enjoys some PS5 titles, she is cautious about future console investments. In contrast, she finds the anticipated Switch 2 appealing at £396, despite hardware issues like Joy-Con stick drift.

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

Don’t Miss Out on This Huge Open World Game That’s Skyrim Meets Minecraft

Enshrouded is an expansive open-world RPG that combines the destructible sandbox mechanics of Minecraft with the RPG elements of Skyrim. It supports multiplayer gameplay for up to 16 players and offers a wealth of content for solo RPG enthusiasts, featuring an open world filled with adversaries, dungeons, and treasures. Players can shape their environment, creating settlements and communities. Enshrouded is currently in Early Access and is set to launch its 1.0 version later this year, with additional features, including console ports, expected in a final update scheduled for Fall 2026.

AppWizard

March 20, 2026

Do yourself a favour in Crimson Desert and play the game with a controller

Crimson Desert features a complex control scheme that can feel clunky, particularly during the game's introduction. Players can choose between a mouse and keyboard or a gamepad, with controllers offering a more intuitive experience for those familiar with console gaming. However, using a controller can lead to issues such as accidentally jumping instead of interacting due to limited buttons. The compact controller inputs can be beneficial in high-pressure situations, allowing for quicker healing, while keyboard users may struggle to reach distant keys. Sprinting is bound to the Shift key, which can cause problems like triggering sticky keys. The keyboard allows for some customization of bindings, but controllers are recommended for a more straightforward experience.