In a nutshell: New industry stats show that PC gaming continues to emerge as a dominant platform for game developers. A staggering 80 percent of surveyed devs are currently working on games for the PC, marking a substantial increase from 66 percent in the previous year.
This surge in PC game development is particularly noteworthy when compared to other platforms, according to the 2025 State of the Game Industry report by the Game Developers Conference. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, while still popular, lag behind considerably, with 38 percent and 34 percent of developers working on these consoles, respectively. The trend towards PC development has been steadily increasing over the years, rising from 56 percent in 2020 to 65 percent in 2023 before making a significant leap to 80 percent in 2025.
Several factors may be contributing to this shift. One potential catalyst is the rising popularity of Valve’s Steam Deck. Although not explicitly listed as a platform option in the survey, 44% of developers who selected ‘Other’ specifically mentioned the Steam Deck as a platform of interest.
The accessibility of the PC as a development platform likely plays a crucial role as well. With relatively low barriers to entry, developers can create and distribute games on platforms like Steam with minimal upfront costs. This accessibility is reflected in the sheer volume of new games launched on Steam with nearly 19,000 titles released in 2024 alone.
Interestingly, the report also highlights a resurgence in web browser game development. Sixteen percent of developers reported working on browser-based games, up from 10 percent the previous year and 11 percent the year before that. This marks the highest level of interest in browser games over the past decade.
There are several reasons for this growth, including new web technologies that deliver enhanced graphics and complex gameplay mechanics previously only feasible in downloadable or console games. Also, because browser games provide instant access without the need for downloads, installations, or high-end hardware, they appeal to a broader audience, including those who might be put off by the cost of traditional gaming platforms.
It’s important to note that the GDC survey has a significant Western bias, with 58 percent of respondents hailing from the United States and another 16 percent from the UK, Canada, and Australia combined.
Major markets like China and Japan are underrepresented, which may skew the results, particularly regarding mobile game development.
Despite the positive trends in PC game development, the industry faces significant challenges. The survey revealed that one in ten respondents experienced layoffs in 2024, while 4 percent reported their studios had closed entirely. These statistics underscore the volatile nature of the game development industry, even as certain sectors show robust growth.
