PC Gaming vs. Console: Why the PC Market Is Booming in 2025
Image Credit: Roblox
The gaming industry isn’t exactly living its best life right now. After a decade of steady growth between 2011 and 2021, revenue has hit a plateau, leaving many developers and investors scratching their heads (and wallets). But there’s one beacon of hope in this slightly gloomy landscape: PC gaming.
PC Gaming Takes the Lead
A new report from Matthew Ball, CEO of investment strategy firm Epyllion, highlights PC gaming as the current MVP of the gaming industry. According to the analysis, which pulled data from market research heavyweights like IDG and Newzoo, PC gaming now generates more revenue than console gaming, marking it as a rare bright spot in an otherwise stagnant market.
The Numbers: PC gaming revenue has grown by 20% since 2021, while console gaming has mostly stalled. And yes, those hours spent tinkering with your graphics settings might actually be worth it.
Why PC Gaming Is Winning
Epyllion attributes this success to several "compounding advantages" PC gaming has over consoles:
A Bigger Library: PCs offer an extensive library of games, including decades-old titles thanks to backward compatibility. Try doing that on a PS5 without paying for a remaster.
Flexibility: Need to check Reddit mid-game? Stream on Twitch? PCs handle it all—no questions asked.
Performance: High-end PCs can outpace consoles, delivering smoother gameplay and sharper visuals (if your wallet can keep up).
Portability Is Here Too: With advancements in portable PC devices like the Steam Deck, even console exclusives are creeping into the PC ecosystem.
Oh, and there’s Roblox. According to Epyllion, kids hooked on Roblox are unlikely to beg for a $500 console just to play AAA games. Honestly, they might have a point.
Not Everyone Agrees on the Numbers
While Epyllion paints a rosy picture for PC gaming, there’s some debate about who’s really on top. In 2023, Newzoo reported that console games pulled in $56.1 billion compared to PC gaming’s $40 billion. Matthew Ball chalks up the discrepancy to differences in how researchers track game sales, particularly in regions like China, where PC dominates at the AA/AAA level.
Ultimately, Ball says the data points to PC gaming continuing its upward climb, especially as platforms like Steam expand into living room and handheld gaming.
What This Means for the Industry
For PC gamers, it’s validation: all those custom builds, driver updates, and debates over RGB lighting are paying off. For console manufacturers, it might be time to start sweating.
As the industry evolves, it’s clear that PCs are no longer just for hardcore gamers—they’re becoming the go-to platform for flexibility, performance, and, let’s face it, sheer convenience. So next time someone asks why you spend more time on your gaming rig than your couch, just tell them: “It’s for the growth of the industry.”
After all, the future is looking bright—for PCs, at least. Consoles? Well, they might need to pick up the pace.
Recommended
