Gain a comprehensive understanding of the current US PC gaming market with this report. Our expert examines, in over 60 pages of content, the global gaming industry and how this impacts the US market, PC gaming consumer trends and attitudes, and opportunities for PC gaming industry innovators to capitalise on. Read on to discover our insights.
Global and US PC Gaming Market
Globally, there are 1.1 billion PC gamers, which is nearly double the number of console gamers. Despite global economic uncertainties and supply chain issues, PC gaming has seen strong growth, especially in Asia, with Japanese gaming brands recognising the potential of the US market. With popular franchises like League of Legends reaching classic status with the aid of esports, PC gaming remains an important and profitable part of the global and US gaming industry.
Find more insight into the US gaming industry in our Gaming Trends Market Report.
PC Gaming Consumer Trends
PC gaming culture is all about staying ahead of the curve. Through upgrades and builds, gamers can take advantage of the latest technologies and ensure their gaming experience is always up-to-date. This process not only helps gamers stay tech-savvy, but also allows them to gradually improve their existing gaming hardware. See our exclusive consumer stats on this below.
Research in this report also finds that as a savvy group, PC gamers take reviews, recommendations, and brand name into account when making purchases. Based on this, to satisfy and cultivate loyalty from PC gamers, brands, and advertisers must focus on building a good reputation.
- Top accessory owned with intent to replace: Gaming keyboards and mouse mats place joint 2nd for gaming accessories where gamers have the intent to replace their current setup. 25% of PC gamers show this strong purchase intent.
- Recommendations inform purchases: Excluding price, 68% of PC gamers are influenced by recommendations when purchasing gaming hardware.
Opportunities in the US PC Gaming Market
Cloud gaming solutions offer a cost-effective way for gamers to access a wide variety of software without needing to invest in expensive hardware. Creating an awareness campaign to clarify policies and purchase guarantees may help reassure new members.
For PC gamers, ensuring their device is performing well is essential for both streaming and professional work. Companies can capitalise on this by promoting high-end accessories as part of a “gamer lifestyle”.
For a comprehensive list of opportunities in the PC gaming market from our gaming industry expert, buy the full report. Or, browse our other gaming market research and find the right report for you.
Topics Covered in This Report
- Top features that draw players to PC gaming.
- How much PC gamers are willing to spend on new PC component upgrades.
- Which PC gaming accessories are must-haves and accessories that players are looking to upgrade now.
- How brands and advertisers can leverage PC gaming purchase influencers to highlight new products.
- Why gamers prefer certain cloud gaming subscriptions more, and how the services compare.
- Gamers’ attitudes toward restrictive anti-piracy measures and how it affects purchase decisions.
Some of the Games and Companies Discussed
Companies: Nvidia, AMD, Intel, Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox Game Studios, Netflix, Valve.
Products: Xbox Game Pass, EA Play, PlayStation Plus, Nvidia Geforce Now, Amazon Luna, Oculus Quest, Steam Deck, SteamVR, Index 2.
Games: Call of Duty, Diablo, League of Legends, Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto Online, Destiny 2, Warcraft, World of Warcraft, Suicide Squad, Counter-Strike 2, Overwatch 2, Gotham Knights, Guild Wars 2.
Expert Analysis from a Gaming Specialist
This report, written by Brian Benway, a leading gaming analyst, delivers in-depth commentary and analysis to highlight current trends in the US PC gaming market and add expert context to the numbers.
PC gaming today is the best it’s ever been. PC gaming drives esports and is a major part of streamer culture’s broad appeal. PC players are heavily invested in keeping their gaming rigs up-to-date with newer and better components, and they’re a highly brand-loyal demographic.
Brian Benway
Gaming and Entertainment Analyst
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Overview
- What you need to know
- This Report looks at the following areas
- Definition
- Market context
- What you need to know
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Executive Summary
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- Top takeaways
- Consumer trends
- Figure 1: Gaming device usage, 2019-23
- Nvidia’s stubborn pricing may be the best thing for competitors and cloud gaming
- Figure 2: PC gamers’ mean PC graphics card price sensitivity, by age, 2023
- Upgrading and replacing parts is a key part of PC gaming culture
- Figure 3: Gaming accessories with strong purchase intent, among PC gamers, 2023
- PC gamers are meticulous with purchase research or burned by compatibility issues
- Figure 4: Gaming hardware purchase influencers, by PC gamers, 2023
- Piracy is bad, of course, but anti-piracy measures may hurt paying players
- Figure 5: PC gamers’ attitudes toward video anti-piracy measures, by gamer segment, 2023
- Competitive strategies
- Market predictions
- Figure 6: Global video game revenue, 2019-25
- Figure 7: PC gaming outlook, 2023-28
- Opportunities
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Global and US Gaming Market
- Global revenue growth to resume in 2023 after short-lived decline in 2022
- Figure 8: Global video game revenue, 2019-25
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- Figure 9: Global video game revenue, by segment, 2022
- Global revenue growth to resume in 2023 after short-lived decline in 2022
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PC Video Game Players
- PC gaming on par with home consoles
- Figure 10: Gaming device usage, by device users, 2023
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- Figure 11: Gaming device usage, 2019-23
- PC gamer demographics reflect traditionally held “gamer” profile
- Figure 12: PC gamers, by personal demographics, 2023
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- Figure 13: PC gamers, by financial characteristics, 2023
- Figure 14: PC gamers, by gaming behaviors, 2023
- PC gaming on par with home consoles
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Market Drivers
- The crypto crash impact on PC gaming supply and pricing
- Desktop GPU sales hit 20-year low, one brand steadfastly refuses reality
- High-end prebuilt PC power requirements draw ire from state commissions
- Meta faces more layoffs, insists on in-person staff to build a virtual future
- The crypto crash impact on PC gaming supply and pricing
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Key Players
- Understanding the differences in consumer graphics card manufacturers
- Get to know the cloud gaming market
- Xbox Game Pass
- PlayStation Plus
- GeForce Now
- Amazon Luna
- Google Stadia
- Netflix
- Understanding the differences in consumer graphics card manufacturers
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Competitive Strategies and Market Opportunities
- Valve Steam Deck one year later and the competing handheld PC space
- Like MMORGPs that came before, GAAS may be at saturation point
- Cloud-based PCs and VR may be a chocolate and peanut butter combo
- Valve Steam Deck one year later and the competing handheld PC space
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Fast Facts – Video Games & the Consumer
- PC gaming top features show flexibility and options are key
- PC component price sensitivity is tight in the face of high retail prices
- PC gaming accessories offer easy swapping of parts and accessories
- Gaming hardware purchase influencers highlight why reviews matter
- Cloud gaming preferences reveal need for purchase guarantees
- Attitudes toward PC gaming reveal a desire for unique and custom PCs
- PC gaming top features show flexibility and options are key
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PC Gaming Top Features
- Customizable graphical options help ensure wide audience appeal
- Figure 15: PC gamers’ top PC gaming features, 2023
- PC gaming is an approachable opportunity for families to engage with tech
- Figure 16: PC gamers’ top PC gaming features, by gender and parental status, 2023
- PC gaming can broadly touch on many tech features and each has value
- Figure 17: PC gamers’ top PC gaming features, by gamer segment, 2023
- Customizable graphical options help ensure wide audience appeal
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PC Component Price Sensitivity
- PC graphics cards are priced to move crypto, not to empower gamers
- Figure 18: PC gamers’ PC graphics card price sensitivity, 2023
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- Figure 19: Attitudes toward PC gaming, 2023
- Younger gamers know the value of hardware, but their budgets are limited
- Figure 20: PC gamers’ mean PC graphics card price sensitivity, by age, 2023
- Xbox gamers enjoy a unique relationship with their PC
- Figure 21: PC gamers’ PC graphics card price sensitivity, by home console brand, 2023
- PC graphics cards are priced to move crypto, not to empower gamers
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PC Gaming Accessories
- The humble mousepad is rarely praised, but many wouldn’t go without
- Figure 22: Most popular currently owned gaming accessories, 2023
- Social media may drive demand for high-end gaming comfort
- Figure 23: Gaming accessories with strong purchase intent, 2023
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- Figure 24: Herman Miller gaming chairs marketing, 2023
- Upgrades are a core component of PC gaming culture
- Figure 25: Gaming accessories with strong purchase intent, among PC gamers, 2023
- The humble mousepad is rarely praised, but many wouldn’t go without
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Gaming Hardware Purchase Influencers
- PC gamers take the time to do their research
- Figure 26: Gaming hardware purchase influencers, by PC gamers, 2023
- Family, friend and retailer reviews are highly important
- Figure 27: Gaming hardware purchase influencers, by financial situation, 2023
- Product reviews have high value among older Millennial PC gamers
- Figure 28: PC gamers’ hardware purchase influencers, by generation, 2023
- PC gamers take the time to do their research
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Cloud Gaming Preferences
- Potential cloud gamers are split for preference regarding ownership, pricing
- Figure 29: Cloud gaming preferences, 2023
- Cloud gaming may be ideal for a digital-focused, minimalist lifestyle
- Figure 30: PC gamers’ cloud gaming preferences, by generation, 2023
- Dads are distrustful of digital purchases, need reassurance of longevity
- Figure 31: PC gamers’ cloud gaming preferences, by gender and parental status, 2023
- Potential cloud gamers are split for preference regarding ownership, pricing
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Attitudes toward Anti-Piracy Measures
- Publishers playing whack-a-mole with pirates are fooling themselves
- Figure 32: PC gamers’ attitudes toward video anti-piracy measures, by race and Hispanic origin, 2023
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- Figure 33: Hogwarts Legacy, by-passing anti-piracy measures improves performance, 2023
- Anti-piracy measures are a uniquely PC gaming inconvenience
- Figure 34: PC gamers’ attitudes toward video anti-piracy measures, by gamer segment, 2023
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- Figure 35: R/Steam reacting to PC restrictions that deflate discount excitement, 2023
- Publishers playing whack-a-mole with pirates are fooling themselves
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Attitudes toward PC Ownership
- Rising costs may impact PC-dedicated audiences
- Figure 36: PC gamers’ attitudes toward PC ownership, by generation, 2023
- The highly educated are passionate, early adopters of new tech
- Figure 37: PC gamers’ attitudes toward PC ownership, by education, 2023
- Rising costs may impact PC-dedicated audiences
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Attitudes toward Fun and Unique Aspects
- Pre-built gaming PCs offer a starting point to PC customization
- Figure 38: PC gamers’ attitudes toward fun/unique aspects of PC gaming, by gender and parental status, 2023
- Customizing and upgrading is a vital component of PC online gaming
- Figure 39: PC gamers’ attitudes toward fun/unique aspects of PC gaming, by gamer segment, 2023
- Pre-built gaming PCs offer a starting point to PC customization
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Appendix – Data Sources and Abbreviations
- Data sources
- Sales data
- Consumer survey data
- Abbreviations and terms
- Abbreviations
- Terms
- Data sources
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Appendix – The Consumer
- US gamer segments
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- Figure 40: Gamer segments, 2023
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- Figure 41: Top reasons for playing video games, by gamer segments, 2023
- Achievers – Characteristics and demographics
- Figure 42: Primary Achievers, by key demographics, 2023
- Explorers – Characteristics and demographics
- Figure 43: Primary Explorers, by key demographics, 2023
- Socializers – Characteristics and demographics
- Figure 44: Primary Socializers, by key demographics, 2023
- Competitors – Characteristics and demographics
- Figure 45: Primary Competitors, by key demographics, 2023
- Who are the Other Gamers?
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- Figure 46: Other Gamers, by key demographics, 2023
- US gamer device usage
- Figure 47: US gamer device usage, 2023
- US gaming frequency
- Figure 48: Gaming frequency, 2023
- Cloud gaming preferences, by key demographics
- Figure 49: Cloud gaming preferences – Price, by PC gamers, gamer segments and device frequency, 2023
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- Figure 50: Cloud gaming preferences – Internet, by device frequency, PC gamers and generations, 2023
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- Figure 51: Cloud gaming preferences – Concerns, by device frequency, PC gamers and generations, 2023
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- Figure 52: Cloud gaming preferences – Devices, by device frequency, PC gamers and generations, 2023
- Attitudes toward video game anti-piracy measures
- Figure 53: Attitudes toward video anti-piracy measures, 2023
- Attitudes toward PC ownership
- Figure 54: Attitudes toward PC ownership, 2023
- Attitudes toward fun and unique aspects of PC gaming
- Figure 55: Attitudes toward fun and unique aspects of PC gaming, 2023
- US gamer segments
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