PC Is Kicking Console's Butt In Gaming Revenue But The Real Winner Is This Platform

Console gaming is popular, but PC gaming seems to lead it, only to lose to this surprise platform.

[shinoff2183]

It's probably always been like that. Lol. Pretty dumb to compare. There completely different. I game on console cause I don't wanna deal with the pc bs and updates etc. Does this article make pc gamers feel better. It's just an uneeded comparison

[blackblades]

Right, but that where pc handheld like steamdeck comes in. They already getting attention just imagine if these pc handheld were actually getting advertised on tv and stores as well being sold in a regular store. Pc handheld getting all types of brands now after steamdeck. It's like a must have companion along side a console.

[SDuck]

It won't be able to play UE5 games though

[shinoff2183]

I'm not a pc hater. Just most the time I'd rather not deal with pc gaming. I'm not against it. I've hooked my laptop up to the TV a few times. Latest plating atom rpg , and encased. Awesome games by the way but I used my ps4 controller. I don't personally like the keyboard mouse playing. I'm trying to relax when I game not be humped over those.

[Shiore2u]

You're sounding mighty insecure. One individual's opinion with a website does not speak for all.

[NotoriousWhiz]

If you look at the graph, it has not always been like that. Console was the dominant force from 2000 until 2016-2017ish. Afterwards, it was roughly neck and neck with PC/Mobile, and then Mobile took off after that. Prior to 2000, Arcade was the biggest.

[darthv72]

fun fact, it was steam deck that brought me back into the fold of playing PC games. My heart still belongs to console... but steam deck makes things more interesting. It was 2008 as the last time i really played any sort of PC game (and the last time i built a PC). since getting the deck, my steam library as really ramped up. I like that i can use it for xcloud too.

[shinoff2183]

My point was its like a self congrats pat on the back.

[JackBNimble]

You mean like when Sony brags they have 123million active users?

Who exactly is getting the pat on the back since pc isn't a company and completely open source?

[shinoff2183]

The difference being , of course there's more pc gamers in the world it makes fking sense. Sony saying 123 million active users is actually impressive.

[neutralgamer1992]

shinoff

i use to be a console gamer and over the past 6-9 months moved to PC, it's not hard at all. Community is very helpful and contrary to popular belief you don't have to keep updating drivers etc,

very smooth experience with way more freedom/options and i still play with my XSX controller. I like to play single player games and use cheats (console games mostly don't allow cheats and instead we are sold those via MT like XP boosters etc)

[shinoff2183]

Neutralgamer1992

Maybe I'll have to check it out in the future. It may have been just where I was asking questions but they came across as elitist fks. Like I was an idiot, etc. I think I was trying to mod something. It's been awhile. I'm also not trying to generalize cause I know there's bad apples in every part of life

[SyntheticForm]

Currently in the process of moving to PC as well. It's exciting.

[jznrpg]

I used to be a PC gamer but I hate not having physical games for one. You buy games they are worthless when you buy them. I also hate Windows.

[VincentVanBro]

Probably always been like that? Buddy there is a graph in the article that shows it’s only been like that since around 2016. Can you read boy?

[shinoff2183]

Boy, I'm probably older then you.

Anyway just went with the headline, boy

[Angyobangyo]

Spoken like a true console peasant! Why does it matter to you and why take it personally?

[TheEroica]

There's a little more tinkering, but not much.... And free online? Having access to most games in libraries that aren't resold to you every ten years? Yeah I'll stick with pc.

[moujahed]

So consoles don’t have game/firmware updates? You sound upset absolutely no reason.

[itsmebryan]

@shinoff
Why isvit a dumb comparison? It talking about overall gaming not just consoles. Gaming is much more than silly console wars.

[wesnytsfs]

Console is for ease of use and cost it wins in those dept.
PC is Frame rates and resolution with raytracing they win those dept
I always considered it like cars consoles are your sedans and PC are your sport cars. Both get you there but one is just faster but you pay a premium for it.
I program for a living so I always keep my pc current specially on graphic cards so of course I choose PC.

[rlow1]

Well you can see why MS is pushing Gamepass. It has the ability to hit all the buckets and generate profits.

[moujahed]

If MS was smart they would add a Steam app to their console.

[XBManiac]

Profits... well... Microsoft generate profits... but Gamepass and Xbox... don't. They need to recover more than 20 years of investing on it.

[TheEnigma313]

The steam deck is pretty slick and you can't beat the price. I prefer the ALLY ROG, but I enjoy my deck.

[ChasterMies]

“With an incredible $101 billion US dollars in revenue in 2022, mobile gaming platforms have dwarfed the $45 billion revenue of the PC. The console market is holding steadfast at $30 billion, no doubt being cannibalized by both mobile and PC temptations.”

Honest question, was this written by A.I.? Also, what are these numbers? Game sales alone?

[badz149]

Microtransactions included. Why do you think mobile is so far up there?

[ChasterMies]

We already know that Apple makes more profit on games than Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo combined. Why? More devices. People have them when they are bored and want to play games. For many people, the phone or tablet is their main computer.

[Dandizzle]

This is an entire ignorant article written based on zero research and what the author think it seems. This is nothing more than a article form of pointless reddit rant by some young kid

[frostypants]

You just described 75% of the typical crappy article sites posted to N4G.

[Jingsing]

When the Steam Deck has sold more than a Nintendo handheld I'll start listening to such articles until then stop smoking whatever it is you're smoking. It's ok to like the Steam Deck but you don't have to spread propaganda like it's some rip roaring financial success. It has sold less than the Vita. It has created more web articles than sales which is probably the reason for the mental disconnect.

[UltimateOwnage]

Considering Vita was around for 8+years and sold worldwide to get those numbers, and with Deck sitting at an estimated 4+ million sales after just over a year of Steam to customer (no retail presence) sales and despite initial production/demand constraints, I’d say Deck will very likely surpass Vita. Besides, I don’t know that an accessory device to a digital distribution platform is comparable to a dedicated handheld (platform locked software and all) from a premier console manufacturer. Props to Valve for Deck even being relevant to compare.

Personally, I use my OLED Deck as often as my 4090 desktop for a range of reasons and for the general types of games I play. It’s an excellent balance of hardware and function for the price and deserves the praise. It’s a genuinely well conceived piece of hardware and Valve is receptive to pushing updates and requested software changes very rapidly. It’s also done miracles for the gaming scene on Linux. I’ve even stopped traveling with my basic Windows laptop because Deck connected via the dock does pretty much everything I normally bring a PC with me for, my phone does the rest.

Anyways, calling it “propaganda” is kind of defensive. People are excited about the platform and it’s doing great things in the handheld PC space to spur awesome competition. Bring it on, it’s good for the PC market.

[Sephiroushin]

there is not only steamdeck either, asus, lenovo, ayaneo and msi joined and many other will do too soon enough, and also all of them are far more expensive than the nintendo handheld

[Angyobangyo]

The Steamdeck is a success. It doesn't need to reach Switch numbers for it to be so. Funny you expect it beat vita numbers right out the gate when it has had a much longer lifespan. I don't care if you don't want to listen, because Valve struck gold with the Steamdeck and is here to stay, enough so that other PC hardware manufacturers like Lenovo, Asus and recently MSI have entered to capture part of that market. That fact that the Steamdeck has been a success, and that it annoys is funny.

[frostypants]

Yeah the Steam deck fanboyism is weird. It's an objectively niche product.

[cammers1995]

Steam deck is amazing.

[BrainSyphoned]

Really interested to see this number next year with China's new policies.

[UltimateOwnage]

For good reason. I love my Steam Deck so much. Best deal in gaming thanks to Steam Sales, and the fact these games can be played on any other PC, indefinitely, going forward.

[VincentVanBro]

Steam Deck OLED is the best handheld gaming pc. As it stands, if I want to play a AAA game on pc, I just use my desktop with rtx 4090 and massive ultra wide screen to see all that juicy detail. Even if it could run on steam deck it would be an injustice on that small screen. For indies and older games, Steam Deck all the way. Tunic for instance looks infinitely better on the OLED vs a ROG Ally for instance. With substantially better battery life to boot.

[anast]

Those PC numbers show that people don't mind renting their games.

[Miacosa]

Who cares when the cost for PC equipment is exponentially more expensive.

[_Decadent_Descent]

The price of freedom always is.

[VariantAEC]

Lol what freedom?
Can't game on just any PC it has to be a Windows PC or a heavily software modified Linux PC. No MAC gaming no general machine gaming. The walled garden on PC is Windows. Grow up and recognize your one true master...
Microsoft.

[_Decadent_Descent]

@VariantAEC Sure, because I was solely talking about OS's. It is you who needs to grow up.

[Reaper22_]

I love my gaming PC but if anyone believes PC gaming is beating consoles in revenue is naive. Pay attention to key words this article. Not everyone with a smart phone play games on it but yet it's counted as such. It a dumb comparison imo.

[Angyobangyo]

Not a dumb comparison by any means. Mobile gaming eclipses the console and pc market. It's like saying people don't use the console for gaming but only for streaming movies, so lets not count that as a gaming platform. As of 2023 mobile gaming market had mobile around 56% and with consoles at 22% and PC at 21%. When global revenue for mobile gaming is over $200 billion, you'd be silly to say it's a silly comparison.

[QSPR]

This is why I'm mad @ SONY.! They have the opportunity to release a real competition on the portable space again with the Portal, but noooooooooooo..... just a mirror device!

[gold_drake]

not surprised by mobile

easy access and microtransactions

[Barlos]

Steam Deck is a PC though, so it should fall under the same banner surely? It may be trying to replicate the console experience but it's still a PC.

Have to say I think the deck is excellent. I mainly use mine for indies and emulation. For AAA games I gave my PS5, now coupled with a PS Portal.

[TheCaptainKuchiki]

Dumb comparison, there are tens of billions of computers out here so potentially more gaming-capable PCs.

[bluefire9016]

Catchy article title and the real winner is this click bait.

[Unknown_Gamer5794]

Implying people who have a proclivity for that ask nicely if they can be pirates, instead of just acquiring the ROMs they want?

[Unknown_Gamer5794]

I have considered getting one, but I’m poor, so I’ve just been sticking with my admittedly outdated PC.