PC Gaming Is Fastest Growing Platform Says EA CEO

This console generation has lingered far beyond its expected lifespan with the Xbox 360 in particular hitting a 7-year milestone later this year. A lot of gamers—including myself—have found safe haven in PC hardware where technology isn't hindered by the birth of each generation, so it's no surprise when EA CEO John Riccitiello shared that PC gaming is growing more than any other platform.

While speaking to CNBC Riccitiello stated the following:

The fastest growing platform for video games today is the PC, but it's growing through subscription, through microtransactions, through downloads.

Not all of the reason behind this trend lie behind horsepower, either. A lot of it has to do with the distinct content delivery models of consoles and PC. There's a dramatic shift in how games are delivered and PC gaming is  spearheading the evolution. Dota 2, one of the most anticipated games of 2012, is free-to-play with a microtransaction model that has already proved profitable during beta. Last year, Team Fortress 2, one of PC's most popular games, made the transition to free-to-play and quickly made valuable profits from its in-game store.

Equally as important is the way games are delivered. Virtually every game on PC can be purchased, downloaded, and installed within minutes and managed through easy-to-use content libraries such as Steam and Origin. As we've seen with recent PlayStation Store updates, Sony is migrating to digital, but is taking a while to get its wheels spinning. It's really only a matter of time before every platform offers the option, but PC already has the system figured out.

A good reason behind new consoles taking so long to release is how carefully Microsoft and Sony need to plan their course of action to avoid being beaten by PC for even longer. Given how successful these new trends have been, rest assured we'll see them impact the design of future consoles, so don't be surprised.

Upcoming Releases

Return to Derceto Manor in this reimagination of Alone in the Dark, a love letter to the 1992 cult classic horror game.
Dragon's Dogma is a single player, narrative driven action-RPG that challenges players to choose their own experience – from the appearance of their Arisen, their vocation, their party, how to approach different situations and more. On your journey, you’ll be joined by Pawns, mysterious otherworldly beings, in an adventure so unique you will feel as if accompanied by other players…
Rise of the Rōnin is a combat focused open-world action RPG that takes place in Japan at a time of great change. It is the very end of a 300-year long Edo Period, commonly known as “Bakumatsu”. Set in the late 19th century, Japan is facing the darkest of times as it struggles with its oppressive rulers and deadly diseases…
The wicked Grape and the Sour Bunch have taken over the Sparkle Theater, and now it's up to Peach and the theater's guardian Stella to save the play––and the day! Peach can transform and use fantastic showstopping abilities to face off against the Sour Bunch. Fend off the Sour Bunch with sensational swordplay as a swordfighter...en garde! In another role,…

Reviews

X