PC Rules the Game Dev World: 80% of Developers Focus on PC
Image Credit: Sid Meier's Civilization VII | Written by Andrew Bame
Turns out, if you’re making games, you’re probably making them for PC. According to a new survey from the Game Developers Conference (GDC), 80% of game developers are currently working on PC titles. Why? Because PC is the “dominant platform.” Take that, consoles.
PC Is Crushing It
In 2024, only 66% of developers were focused on PC, but now that number has jumped to a hefty 80%. That’s more than double the developers working on PlayStation 5 games (38%) and nearly triple those focusing on Xbox Series X/S (34%). Even web browser games are making a comeback, with 16% of developers dabbling in browser-based titles. Maybe Flash games are about to rise from the dead?
Why the Shift?
The GDC report isn’t 100% sure why PC is suddenly so hot, but the Steam Deck might be part of the story. Valve’s handheld gaming PC seems to be catching developers’ eyes, with 44% of survey respondents mentioning the Steam Deck as a platform they’re interested in. It’s like PC gaming got a portable sidekick, and devs are into it.
Browser Games Are Sneaking Back
In a surprising twist, web browser games are seeing their best numbers in a decade. A solid 16% of developers are creating browser-based games this year, up from 10% last year. Who knew people still wanted to play games in their browsers instead of just opening another tab to procrastinate?
The Bottom Line
PC gaming isn’t just alive—it’s thriving. Whether it’s the power of the Steam Deck or just the flexibility of PC as a platform, game developers are flocking to it. So, if you’re a console gamer feeling left out, don’t worry—at least you’ve got exclusives. Probably.
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