PC Gaming Continues to Thrive, Dominates Development Landscape
PC gaming has defied repeated claims of its demise, with 80% of developers surveyed in the 2025 GDC State of the Game Industry report indicating that they are currently making games for the platform. This represents a substantial increase compared to the 66% reported in 2024.
This surge in PC development is supported by a significant increase in interest among developers, with 74% of respondents expressing interest in working on the platform. This interest may be attributed to factors such as the widespread adoption of Valve's Steam Deck, which has expanded the potential audience for PC games.
Furthermore, the accessibility of PC development, with relatively low barriers to entry, remains a significant contributing factor to its popularity. The ease of developing and distributing games on Steam has resulted in a substantial increase in the number of new releases, with nearly 19,000 in 2024 alone.
While the GDC survey primarily focuses on Western developers, its findings indicate a clear trend toward PC as the dominant development platform for games. However, it's important to note that mobile gaming remains popular in markets such as China, which may not be fully represented in the report's data.
Despite the overall positive outlook for PC gaming, the GDC survey also highlights challenges faced by developers, including industry layoffs and studio closures. Nevertheless, the increasing dominance of PC as a development platform is a testament to its continued strength and adaptability in the gaming industry.