PC gaming about to overtake console video game sales

Over the last couple of years analysts often proclaimed the death of PC gaming but despite everything PC gaming is coming back with a vengeance. Video game consoles were long the most popular products in the industry but this is starting to change.

Researchers from PwC estimate global PC game sales may reach $29 billion in 2016 and overtake console game sales, which are expected to come in at around $28 billion.

In the years ahead, the gap is expected to widen as PC gaming is rapidly growing in countries like China and India. Analysts see the better visual quality, online distribution platforms like Steam, the popular eSports scene and the resurgence of VR gaming as sales drivers for the PC and believe consoles will have a hard time to remain as popular as they were in the last decade or so.

"You could have said 10 years ago that there were three major platforms: Console, PC and Web," said Brian Blau, an analyst with research firm Gartner. "Now you have TV streamers, mobile devices -- you even have watches today. There's so many more types of devices to play games." One of the biggest beneficiaries of that change has been the PC, which has become the only way to play some of the best-looking and most popular games in the industry and to enjoy some of the most cutting-edge features online gaming has to offer. And later this year, that will also be the only way to play high-quality virtual reality games, offering players the opportunity to strap on a headset and transport themselves to all manner of imaginary worlds.

Source: CNET