PC gaming has experienced highs and lows in competition with games consoles. Currently it is going through a huge boom in popularity, like one never seen before.
We are in a time of the highest numbers of PC gamers than ever before.
ESports have also been enjoying incredible expenditure with more and more prize money available. As young people a decade ago would just play computer games for fun, there are opportunities now to make it a career.
Some of the most high profile games are PC based, as well as available on mobile devices. The likes of Minecraft, Fortnite and Dota 2 bringing ever increasing prize money in competitions.
There has been an increase in the lower to mid level gamer which has seen the momentum for PC gaming increase. Rather than spending money on games consoles, the more versatile PC has proven to be popular with this demographic.
The pandemic has clearly contributed to this along with the shift to working from home. PC gaming has become an appealing form of escaping the norm to not just traditional gamers, but to a much wider percentage of the population.
With the boom in PC gaming, there has been a parallel increase in the number of people playing mobile video games. There are over three billion people with a Smartphone and over two billion of them play games on their phones. This is a huge market.
The types of games will vary from those who play during their commute to work, to the keen mobile gamers who use their mobile as their primary gaming tool.
For those eligible, the online casino industry found a way to be perfectly suited to mobile gaming. All forms of casino games, from roulette to poker to slot machines can be played from anywhere, at anytime, on a mobile device.
With more people moving to mobile gaming for their casino games, operators even include mobile exclusive bonuses which have added to this mediums popularity. Being accessible, interactive and entertaining, mobile casino games have suited the mobile gaming landscape.
With the ever improving internet connections, 4G and now 5G, any barriers for game performance have been almost completely eradicated. Gamers know they can play and gamble with no concern about loss of connection or interruption affecting their wagers.
Puzzle games have become a popular genre for people in mobile gaming. Along with casino games, this genre has been popular with all levels of gamers. Township and Farmscapes for example are popular downloads for people who are able to play even for short periods, which increases their attraction.
Classic card games such as Solitaire and board game style downloads such as Mahjong also give a steady and safe entry to mobile gaming. This is especially the case for new gamers who enjoy the ability to recreate the physical games they have experience with on to their mobile device.
Mobile gaming has given more access to people who would not necessarily spend too much time gaming before. The instant access, free games and vast options have enticed many to play more.
Being able to download and try different games while commuting or waiting in line or sipping on a coffee during a lunch break gives people the chance to entertain themselves anywhere.
This instant access, immediate gaming and opportunity to try different games until you find the ones you will play regularly have brought in more non traditional gamers. It has attracted people to try gaming who before would not have bought games consoles or games for their home computer.
With the ability to design the apps and games for mobile devices to be easy to navigate and set up gives new gamers the opportunity to discover and enjoy new games they may not have considered before.
PC gaming has bridged the gap to some degree with many requiring home computers to work and study. That extra expense for a console can prove too costly to some.
For those who have taken to gaming from mobile devices, the PC games have seen an increase for the casual to more becoming dedicated gamers.
Around about 48% of all gaming is reported to be played on PC in a PC vs. Console study. One reason could be the lack of game turnover for PC gamers. Those who often play PC games will do so for longer than console gamers on average who are frequently buying updated or new edition games.
The future of gaming looks certain to keep increasing in popularity across different platforms and genres. Mobile gaming is becoming more and more accessible while the affordability of consoles may need to be considered to continue its global growth.
The upfront cost of a games console can limit the potential consumers it reaches. These costs may prove difficult for some to move across from mobile gaming to console gaming.
With an increase in gamers, at all levels, the console industry may look to consider their affordability in order to attract more gamers who are only put off by the initial outlay.
The gaming market now is more than ever open to all levels of gamer, from the casual to the dedicated. From mobile device games being free and simple, to the PC and console games which give more depth and interaction for the seasoned gamer.
With more accessibility the market will continue to grow and each field will compete with each other to bring in the gamers.
