Reflecting on the many moments when PC gaming was prematurely declared finished is almost amusing; such assertions were, to paraphrase a well-known saying, had been exaggerated. To clarify any lingering uncertainties, the 2025 State of the Game Industry report released by GDC indicates that development for the PC platform has “skyrocketed.” A striking 80% of the over 3,000 developers surveyed are currently engaged in creating games for PC.
This marks a significant increase from the previous year’s report, where only 66% of developers claimed they were focused on PC game development. At that time, GDC dubbed it “the dominant platform.” This year’s figures are even more impressive, more than doubling the number of developers working on the second most favoured platform, the PlayStation 5, which accounted for 38% of respondents. In comparison, the Xbox Series X/S trailed closely behind with 34%.
The trend of developers turning their attention to PC gaming has been steadily rising over the years. Back in 2020, just 56% reported they were developing games for PC. This figure climbed to 58% in 2021, then to 63% in 2022, and reached 65% in 2023. Moreover, enthusiasm for PC development has surged, with 74% of this year’s respondents expressing interest, a noticeable increase from last year’s 62%.
While the precise reasons behind this notable uptick remain somewhat ambiguous, the GDC report suggests it could be linked to the growing acclaim of Valve’s Steam Deck. This year’s survey didn’t categorize Steam or Valve’s handheld device as distinct platforms since it serves as a central hub for both PC and Mac games. Nevertheless, a considerable number of developers do regard it as a unique platform; nearly half (44%) mentioned Steam Deck when asked about other platforms that pique their interest.
I find this hypothesis entirely plausible, and I would venture to add that the sheer accessibility of PC game development likely plays a substantial role in its rising popularity among creators. Crafting games is undoubtedly a complex endeavour, but developing for PC offers a relatively streamlined experience: learn your preferred programming language, pay Valve a modest fee of $100, and voilà—you’re ready to market your creations on Steam. The result? An astonishing nearly 19,000 new games debuted on Steam in 2024 alone, which certainly explains why interest in PC development continues to soar.
In the landscape of game development, one must take a moment to reflect on the insights provided by the GDC State of the Game Industry survey. However, it’s essential to approach these findings with a critical eye, especially when one considers the overwhelming Western bias present in the data. A striking 58% of those who participated in the survey hail from the United States alone, while an additional 16% come from the UK, Canada, and Australia. This leaves us pondering the conspicuous absence of voices from other significant markets, particularly China, where mobile gaming reigns supreme. In fact, despite its massive consumer base, China is notably absent from the list of countries represented by a high number of respondents. This omission, paired with the global prominence of mobile gaming, gives rise to concerns that the report may not fully capture the essence of mobile game development. Moreover, one cannot overlook the lack of representation from Japanese developers, whose contributions to the industry have been substantial yet seemingly sidelined in this survey. All these factors inevitably introduce a certain level of bias into the overall findings. 
Yet, amid this backdrop of limitations, there is a silver lining worth celebrating: the PC platform continues not only to maintain its relevance but also to expand its foothold as the leading development environment for games. This growth is indeed encouraging, a beacon of hope in an otherwise challenging landscape. However, it is hard to ignore the grim realities that accompany these advancements. The GDC survey also revealed a stark truth—1 in 10 respondents reported having faced layoffs in 2024, and a disheartening 4% indicated that their studios had shut down completely.
As we navigate these contrasting narratives of progress and struggle, it becomes clear that game development is a fraught journey. While we can celebrate the PC platform’s resilience and growth, we must also acknowledge the broader challenges and disparities that continue to shape this dynamic industry.
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