PC projected to exceed 1 billion players and surpass…
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PC projected to exceed 1 billion players and surpass console revenue by the end of 2028
>The PC player base is projected to exceed **one billion players by 2028** and regional momentum is a key factor: **China grew 11.7% YoY in 2025**. We also expect continued growth tied to expanding PC ecosystem penetration and storefront adoption
>PC monetization remains structurally **microtransaction-led**. In 2025, **microtransactions accounted for 48% of PC revenue ($20.6B)**, while **premium game sales represented 29% ($12.5B)**.
>**Premium games were the** **main PC growth driver in 2025** (**+11.8% YoY)**, supported by a dense slate of premium releases across AAA, AA, and indie segments, many in the $30-$50 price range.
>In major Western markets, **PC free-to-play revenue per playing hour increased 10% year-on-year**, reaching nearly **2× PlayStation and 3× Xbox**.
>Engagement is becoming more distributed. Between 2022 and 2025, the share of **PC playtime generated by games outside the Top 20 titles increased from 33% to 42%**, reflecting growing ecosystem breadth beyond the largest franchises.
>
>Newzoo forecasts **PC revenue to grow at a 6.6% CAGR between 2025 and 2028**, compared with **4.4% for console**, with **PC projected to surpass console revenue by the end of 2028** after more than a decade of console leadership.
>
#games
>The PC player base is projected to exceed **one billion players by 2028** and regional momentum is a key factor: **China grew 11.7% YoY in 2025**. We also expect continued growth tied to expanding PC ecosystem penetration and storefront adoption
>PC monetization remains structurally **microtransaction-led**. In 2025, **microtransactions accounted for 48% of PC revenue ($20.6B)**, while **premium game sales represented 29% ($12.5B)**.
>**Premium games were the** **main PC growth driver in 2025** (**+11.8% YoY)**, supported by a dense slate of premium releases across AAA, AA, and indie segments, many in the $30-$50 price range.
>In major Western markets, **PC free-to-play revenue per playing hour increased 10% year-on-year**, reaching nearly **2× PlayStation and 3× Xbox**.
>Engagement is becoming more distributed. Between 2022 and 2025, the share of **PC playtime generated by games outside the Top 20 titles increased from 33% to 42%**, reflecting growing ecosystem breadth beyond the largest franchises.
>
>Newzoo forecasts **PC revenue to grow at a 6.6% CAGR between 2025 and 2028**, compared with **4.4% for console**, with **PC projected to surpass console revenue by the end of 2028** after more than a decade of console leadership.
>
#games
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