The PC gaming landscape is experiencing notable growth, especially in markets like Japan and China, which have exceeded expectations in terms of the number of high-end players. Developers like Ryan from Hypergryph, in charge of Arknights: Endfield, have highlighted how interest in PC games is increasing, and they believe that open-world RPGs, due to their technical nature, are best enjoyed on this platform. The ability of PCs to deliver superior graphics is an advantage that developers cannot ignore.
It is not possible to compete against Genshin Impact
Despite the growing player base, the gacha game market faces challenges, especially in regions where popularity is declining. Ryan mentions the difficulty of launching new gacha RPGs in a post-Genshin Impact context, where many titles share similarities. This saturation can lead players to lose interest quickly, as they often feel that the gameplay experience is predictable.
In this context, PC players are always seen as crucial for new releases. It is interesting to note how, despite current difficulties, the Japanese market has surpassed China in gacha revenue according to reports from Automaton, reinforcing the idea that PC gaming in Japan is more significant than originally thought. However, at the console level, PlayStation is reporting a reduction in its investment in ports to PC to focus on its main brand, which could negatively impact the availability of titles on this platform.
With the rise of games like Genshin Impact, and the need to stand out in a saturated market, developers are at a crossroads: will they manage to capture the attention of players looking for unique experiences instead of more of the same?
