Analyst: PC games revenue has surpassed console games globally

Many believe that video game consoles are preferable platforms for game publishing because of the lack of piracy and therefore better opportunities to earn higher revenue. However, since PCs are so widespread these days that even with piracy the market of PC video games is now larger than the market of console games, according to an analyst.

“On a global basis PC games have surpassed console games but the new console systems means consoles should show an increase,” said David Cole, the head of DFC Intelligence market tracking firm, in an interview with PCR. “Among core gamers there is a heavy overlap with most console gamers also playing on a PC. The big difference is that consoles are now the luxury item and PCs are the necessity. Just a few years ago the reverse was true. This means PCs have the broader audience.”

Previously DFC forecasted that PC gaming would eclipse console gaming by 2015. Earlier in 2014 the company predicted that the PC gaming market would exceed $25 billion in 2014.

DFC claims that MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) titles and free-to-play games are the most popular categories on PCs.

According to the analyst, core gamers usually play on different devices, including PCs, tablets, smartphones and consoles.

It is also interesting to note that PC player hours remained on the same levels in 2013 compared to 2012 despite of lack of major releases.

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KitGuru Says: It would be interesting to see revenue splits of AAA titles available on consoles and PCs. MOBA and F2P games are not available on PlayStation and Xbox, which makes them PC exclusive, whereas titles like Battlefield, Call of Duty or Need for Speed are multi-platform and therefore should show which platforms bring more revenue.

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