Report: PC gaming daunted but unbowed by recession

Jon Peddie Research has announced its market forecast for PC gaming hardware, and while the report says consumer spending has slowed a bit in the gaming industry, the PC gaming segment has been especially resistant.

The firm has forecast the total PC hardware market to drop $1.4 billion due to recession-based sales and the lower cost of PCs and components. Despite this, PC gaming systems have suffered the least discounting due to the value consumers place on the system.

JPR says the reason the PC sector has lost less during the economic climate is due to consumers staying home more and spending less on outside entertainment.

"PC Gaming is a very economical form of entertainment, a $50 game can provide hundreds of hours of play, and it's not uncommon for players to replay a game," said the report.

"Also, purchases of a PC for gaming can be shared since the machine can be used for watching (and creating) videos, as well as office work and web browsing, something consoles can't offer."

PC sales are expected to reach $19 billion this year and outsell gaming consoles by almost $2 billion.