Intel, Dell, Microsoft, AMD and a host of other tech titans joined forces Tuesday to form the PC Gaming Alliance. The PCGA’s focus is to advance the PC as a gaming platform.
The alliance brings together hardware and software creators, game developers and publishers, and others committed to the PC gaming market. The goal is to accelerate innovation, improve the gaming experience and serve as a source of information and expertise on PC gaming. Acer, Gateway, Activision, Epic Games, NVIDIA and Razer USA are also members.
“This collaboration will provide developers and publishers with a champion for consistent demographics, hardware adoption, and revenue measurement and reporting,” said David Cole, an analyst with DFC Intelligence. “An authoritative source of information on the PC as a gaming platform will serve as an invaluable catalyst for growing the market and improving the consumer’s PC gaming experience.”
Opportunity and Challenges
DFC calls PC gaming “one of the fastest-growing segments of the interactive entertainment market” and projects worldwide growth of more than 80 percent over the next five years.
However, the definition of PC gaming has changed radically over the past few years and revenue has declined. In 2002, PC gaming in North America was about a $1.5 billion business, according to the Yankee Group. Last year it fell to $917 million, a precipitous drop that could be partly blamed on piracy and new hardware requirements.
The PCGA will focus on coordinated marketing and promotion of PC gaming, consistent and accurate reporting of market sizing and research, and creating forums for members to cooperate on challenges facing the industry. The alliance will develop guidelines and foster information sharing between members.
“PCGA members believe that we are stronger and more effective together than any member company is alone, and that our shared vision and group effort will improve PC gaming worldwide,” said Randy…