The Rise of PC Gaming: Dominating Consoles and Gaining Momentum!

A recent study published by Epyllion encapsulates the condition of the gaming industry across more than two hundred pages. This extensive analysis explores everything from consumer expenditures to hardware statistics, providing readers with vital insights into the past decade of gaming knowledge.

The findings indicate that, according to major data points from various sources, PC gaming has grown increasingly robust over the past decade, surpassing console platforms in content spending and revenue generation.

PC Authority

In Epyllion’s report (located by FictionHorizon), the harsh truths are illustrated.

One slide disclosed that since 2011, PC’s content expenditure has eclipsed that of ‘living room’ consoles by over 65%, earning 225% more than the ‘combined console’ expenditure. In monetary terms, that’s approximately $30 billion.

These figures exclude hardware and accessories.

The study further indicated that mobile gaming significantly outpaces both PC and console platforms, standing as the foremost revenue generator in the gaming sector.

This statistic has been documented despite an $18 billion rise in spending on console platforms in 2024 compared to 2011. That 75% growth is still overshadowed by content spending on PC platforms.

So why is PC becoming more favored and increasingly lucrative?

Epyllion proposed that it boils down to several fundamental reasons:

• PC platforms boast a much more extensive library of games and ‘almost comprehensive backwards compatibility’
• On a PC, you can multitask (stream, communicate, switch applications, use multiple screens)
• Lower entry cost compared to consoles
• Higher peak performance
• Superior for esports and competitive gaming
• Ability to access more early-access titles
• A greater number of annual game releases
• Console ‘exclusives’ are increasingly transitioning to PC

It’s evident where a portion of the revenue originates. For example, Counter-Strike’s ‘skin marketplace,’ which launched in 2013, is presently valued at around $5 billion, and it is exclusively associated with PC.

Sales of home consoles have declined somewhat during this generation in comparison to prior ‘eras,’ while PC gaming continues to demonstrate steady growth. With the surge of content creation, streaming, and user-generated content, the demand for PC gaming is rising, and technological advancements are making hardware more accessible, powerful, and often, budget-friendly.

Do you own a PC, or are you dependent on home consoles? Share your thoughts with us on the Insider Gaming forum.

For further coverage from Insider Gaming, take a look at our esports interview with VALORANT’s Boostio