'PC Development Surges': GDC Report Shows 80% of Developers Are Crafting Games for PC
A recent GDC survey indicates a remarkable increase in the number of developers focusing on PC game production, with 80% now engaged in this area.
Interest in PC game development is at an all-time high. A GDC survey reveals that 80% of the more than 3,000 developers surveyed are making games for PCs.
This marks a significant increase from 66% in the previous year’s report. In contrast, percentages for other platforms are much lower: the PlayStation 5 attracts 38% of developers, while the Xbox Series X/S gathers 34%.
Over the years, the momentum for PC gaming development has been consistently ramping up. For instance:
- 56% in 2020
- 58% in 2021
- 63% in 2022
- 65% in 2023
“The specific reasons for this sharp increase remain unclear, yet some industry experts speculate it may correlate with the popularity of Valve’s Steam Deck. Nearly half of the developers expressed interest in Steam Deck during the survey,” reported GDC.
Developing games for PC is noted to be easier, enhancing its appeal as a development platform. With just a programming language and minimal investment, developers can distribute their games on platforms like Steam.
However, while the PC platform is thriving, GDC also found that 1 in 10 developers were laid off in the previous year. The findings underscore both the achievements and challenges within the industry.
