Forgot the Wii and the Xbox 360, the PC gaming market is the most valuable gaming format on the market says the, er, PC Gaming Alliance. The PCGA – comprised of various hardware and software companies like Acer and Capcom – has produced an annual report which suggests the PC gaming market was worth $11 billion dollars in 2008. Anyone who has been into a games store recently, and seen the small amount of new PC games for sale, won't be surprised that the key factor is the move away from retail.
The biggest story in PC games is the expansion beyond retail," said Randy Stude, president of PCGA. "PC games have successfully pioneered online subscription and distribution models that have resulted in a global boom that shows no signs of slowing. Despite the advances of the likes of Xbox LIVE and the PlayStation® Network, the online platform that remains the most accessible and robust worldwide is the PC.
And then, of course, there are the MMOs. As the report says:
Other significant revenue generators include several Asian MMOGs making over $100 million in annual revenue after five plus years on the market; World of Warcraft producing over $1 billion in annual revenue; and the Lich King expansion to World of Warcraft outsold its predecessor. In 2008, two major subscription MMOGs (Age of Conan and Warhammer Online) sold over 1 million units at retail.
All impressive stuff then and clearly the PC gaming market is changing and adapting. But the gradual lack of PC release for some of the bigger franchises around – especially sports games – is a worrying trend for PC gaming. Yes, the likes of Empire: Total War prove there is still a market for big name offline PC games but for how much longer? Is piracy or cost of hardware the issue? Or do gamers simply prefer playing sports and some big brand action games on their consoles?
