PC Game Market Size
Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
Market Size (2024) | USD 31.67 Billion |
Market Size (2029) | USD 42.56 Billion |
CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 6.08 % |
Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
Largest Market | North America |
Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
PC Game Market Analysis
The PC Game Market size is estimated at USD 31.67 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 42.56 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 6.08% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
- Millennial gaming enthusiasts increasingly favor PC gaming. This trend is driven by factors like superior gameplay quality, access to advanced hardware and software, and enhanced internet bandwidth. Cutting-edge technologies, including VR and 4K/8K displays, are now accessible. Consequently, many PC gamers feel compelled to upgrade their equipment, fueling the sales of gaming-specific PCs.
- While PC gaming can be pricey due to expensive hardware, it boasts an expansive game library, supports diverse play styles and peripherals, and offers extensive customization through mods. Despite consoles rapidly advancing to rival high-powered gaming PCs, developers are introducing console-inspired hardware to bridge the gap.
- As of September 2024, the leading PC games globally by monthly active users (MAU) included ROBLOX, Minecraft, Fortnite, Counter-Strike 2 & GO, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II/III/Warzone 2.0, The Sims 4, League of Legends, Valorant, Grand Theft Auto V, and Overwatch 1 & 2. In the top 20 PC games ranking for September 2024, Electronic Arts (EA) and Blizzard Entertainment each secured three titles, marking them as the dominant publishers.
- Innovations in the gaming segment are propelling its growth. For example, in October 2023, CrazyGames unveiled "CrazyGames Originals," a platform for browser-based games. Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the Leuven, Belgium-based browser game platform introduced this diverse label, catering to a wide array of player preferences. With a robust monthly user base exceeding 25 million, CrazyGames collaborates with over 1,000 game developers, offering them insights and strategies to tap into new audiences.
- One significant drawback is the high start-up and the ongoing costs associated with upgrading components. A high-end gaming PC can cost up to USD 1,200, contrasting to more budget-friendly console options such as the Xbox Series X, which retails for USD 499.
- Further, the pandemic led to an increase in gaming as a primary form of entertainment. Many players turned to PC gaming for social interaction, resulting in a sustained rise in player engagement.Games that facilitate social interaction, such as "Among Us," "Valorant," and various MMORPGs, gained popularity. This trend continues as players seek ways to connect with friends and communities.
- Post pandemic, VR gaming has continued to evolve, with more titles being released and hardware becoming more accessible. The interest in immersive experiences has remained strong.Developers are increasingly prioritizing accessibility features, ensuring that games are playable by a broader range of audiences, including those with disabilities.
PC Game Market Trends
Growing Adoption of Millennials Across PC Game Drives the Market
- Generational analysis reveals that younger generations dominate the PC gaming landscape. Millennials and Gen Alpha, raised in a digital-first world, engage with games not only by playing but also by consuming related media and immersing themselves in gaming culture. Adventure games captivate Gen Alpha, Gen Z, and Millennials, whereas older generations lean towards puzzle games.
- Leading the charge in the PC gaming market are Lenovo, Dell, Asus, and HP, with processors predominantly sourced from AMD, Nvidia, and Intel. This dynamic amplifies suppliers' bargaining power, given the competitive cost structure vendors navigate.
- Asia Pacific stands as a significant player in the PC gaming segment. Innovations in the region are poised to boost the market's growth rate. For example, in August 2023, Chinese tech firm AYANEO unveiled its Retro Mini PC AM01. This compact device can accommodate an AMD Ryzen 7 5700U CPU, boasts 32 GB DDR4 memory, and features a 1 TB Solid State Drive. While its casing design nods to early Apple computers, it operates on Windows 11 Home. AYANEO markets the mini PC for both daily tasks and gaming. Currently, seven configurations are up for grabs on Indiegogo, a platform where AYANEO has historically debuted its gaming handhelds and devices.
- Poland has emerged as a burgeoning hub for PC gaming, bolstered by a vibrant community of gamers and developers. The nation's affinity for PC games can be traced back to the success of titles like The Witcher series and Cyberpunk 2077. These landmark games have not only spotlighted Poland's game development prowess but have also invigorated the local gaming industry.
- In March 2023, Microsoft inked a decade-long deal with Boosteroid, facilitating the transition of PC games from Xbox consoles to Boosteroid's cloud platform. Boosteroid, with its Ukrainian software development team, recently celebrated surpassing 4 million global users, cementing its status as the world's largest independent cloud gaming provider. The partnership further allows Boosteroid's clientele to stream Activision Blizzard's titles, contingent on Microsoft's acquisition of the gaming giant. Such developments are set to bolster market growth.
North America to Hold Significant Share
- The United States stands as the largest market for PC gaming in North America. To elevate the gaming experience, numerous companies in the gaming sector are embracing digitization and fostering user-friendly engagement on their platforms.
- In the U.S. market, consumers can choose from a diverse range of gaming PCs, including both prebuilt systems and customizable options. Retail giants such as Best Buy and Amazon showcase a broad array of gaming desktops and laptops, all boasting advanced specifications tailored to meet varied gaming demands.
- Minecraft remains a dominant force, boasting a vast player base and renowned for its creative building and survival gameplay. With a staggering 26.5 million monthly active users, it continues to be one of the most played games, largely due to its innovative gameplay and content driven by its community.
- Key players like Microsoft, Electronic Arts Inc, and Sony have established a formidable presence in North America's PC gaming landscape. The U.S. also boasts a vibrant esports scene, hosting major tournaments for titles such as "Dota 2," "Fortnite," and "Valorant." These tournaments attract substantial audiences, both in-person and online, bolstering the market's momentum for the forecast period.
PC Game Industry Overview
The PC Game market is highly competitive and fragmented, primarily driven by the presence of major players. These key players employ strategies such as mergers, acquisitions, and product innovations to maintain a competitive edge and broaden their global footprint.Key player include Electronic Arts (EA), Activision Blizzard, Ubisoft Entertainment SA, and others.
The PC game market is on an upward trajectory, fueled by technological advancements and changing consumer behaviors towards gaming. With projections indicating substantial growth in both the overall PC games market and the gaming PC segment specifically, stakeholders in this industry are well-positioned for future opportunities.
PC Game Market Leaders
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Electronic Arts (EA)
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Ubisoft Entertainment SA
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Activision Blizzard, Inc.
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Epic Games, Inc.
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Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
PC Game Market News
- October 2024: Developer Insomniac Games officially announced the launch date of the game’s PC version. The studio has also uploaded an announcement trailer of the game on YouTube that confirms the launch date and reveals other details about the game’s PC port.
- August 2024: NIVIDIA partnered with Xbox to give GeForce gamers 1 month of access to PC Game Pass for free, starting now, for new Xbox Game Pass members only. PC Game Pass has high quality, day-one games available to download and play, including numerous titles enhanced with NVIDIA DLSS, NVIDIA Reflex, and ray-traced effects.
PC Game Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET INSIGHTS
4.1 Market Overview
4.2 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Forces Analysis
4.2.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
4.2.2 Bargaining Power of Consumers
4.2.3 Threat of New Entrants
4.2.4 Threat of Substitute Products
4.2.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
4.3 Industry Value Chain Analysis
4.4 Assessment of Impact of macroeconomic trends
5. MARKET DYNAMICS
5.1 Market Drivers
5.1.1 Growing Engagement of Digital Gaming Segments Among Millennials
5.1.2 Increase Adoption of Desktop and Laptop
5.2 Market Restraints
5.2.1 User Privacy and Security Issues Coupled With Legal and Regulatory Concerns
6. MARKET SEGMENTATION
6.1 By Type of Genre
6.1.1 Action
6.1.2 Adventure
6.1.3 Role Playing Games
6.1.4 Simulation
6.1.5 Strategy
6.1.6 Other Games
6.2 By Distribution Channel
6.2.1 Online
6.2.2 Offline
6.3 By Geography***
6.3.1 North America
6.3.1.1 United States
6.3.1.2 Canada
6.3.2 Europe
6.3.2.1 United Kingdom
6.3.2.2 Germany
6.3.2.3 France
6.3.3 Asia
6.3.3.1 China
6.3.3.2 Japan
6.3.3.3 India
6.3.3.4 South Korea
6.3.4 Australia and New Zealand
6.3.5 Latin America
6.3.5.1 Brazil
6.3.5.2 Mexico
6.3.5.3 Argentina
6.3.6 Middle East and Africa
6.3.6.1 United Arab Emirates
6.3.6.2 Saudi Arabia
6.3.6.3 South Africa
7. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
7.1 Company Profiles
7.1.1 Electronic Arts (EA)
7.1.2 Activision Blizzard, Inc.
7.1.3 Ubisoft Entertainment SA
7.1.4 Epic Games, Inc.
7.1.5 Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
7.1.6 Bandai Namco Entertainment, Inc.
7.1.7 Sega Inc.
7.1.8 Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
7.1.9 Focus Entertainment
7.1.10 2K Games
- *List Not Exhaustive
8. INVESTMENT ANALYSIS
9. FUTURE OUTLOOK OF THE MARKET
PC Game Industry Segmentation
The PC gaming market is defined based on the revenues generated from the gaming types used across the globe. The analysis is based on the market insights captured through secondary research and the primaries. The market also covers the major factors impacting its growth in terms of drivers and restraints.
The PC game market is segmented by type of genre (action, adventure, role playing games, simulation, strategy, other games), distribution channel (online, offline), geography (North America [United States, Canada], Europe [United Kingdom, Germany, France, Rest of Europe], Asia-Pacific [China, Japan, India, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific], Latin America [Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Rest of Latin America], Middle East and Africa [United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa]). The market sizes and forecasts are provided in terms of value (USD) for all the above segments.
By Type of Genre | |
Action | |
Adventure | |
Role Playing Games | |
Simulation | |
Strategy | |
Other Games |
By Distribution Channel | |
Online | |
Offline |
By Geography*** | ||||||
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Australia and New Zealand | ||||||
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PC Game Market Research FAQs
How big is the PC Game Market?
The PC Game Market size is expected to reach USD 31.67 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 6.08% to reach USD 42.56 billion by 2029.
What is the current PC Game Market size?
In 2024, the PC Game Market size is expected to reach USD 31.67 billion.
Who are the key players in PC Game Market?
Electronic Arts (EA), Ubisoft Entertainment SA, Activision Blizzard, Inc., Epic Games, Inc. and Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. are the major companies operating in the PC Game Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in PC Game Market?
Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2024-2029).
Which region has the biggest share in PC Game Market?
In 2024, the North America accounts for the largest market share in PC Game Market.
What years does this PC Game Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the PC Game Market size was estimated at USD 29.74 billion. The report covers the PC Game Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the PC Game Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
PC Game Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 PC Game market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. PC Game analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2024 to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.