The Most Popular Gaming Platforms

The number of gamers worldwide is actively growing. According to some statistics, the number of gamers worldwide reaches 3 billion people. However, this massive community is divided by dozens of factors, the most significant being the gaming platform they choose. Despite the trend towards cross-platform game development, audiences of different gaming devices rarely overlap. In this article, we will look at the best gaming platforms of 2023, see what unites and distinguishes them, and share our experience on how to succeed in creating games for these platforms.

PC

Despite the growing number of various gaming consoles, the popularity of the so-called primary platform is not declining. PCs are becoming slightly more affordable after the crash in graphics card prices due to decreased interest in cryptocurrency mining. And although the semiconductor shortage is still felt quite acutely, prices are no longer as crazy as a couple of years ago.

Pros:

• Versatility. A PC is a multi-purpose tool. Its capabilities go far beyond gaming. Most of us use a PC for work, so having a powerful computer also boosts productivity. PCs are compatible with most gamepads. You can also customize the hardware and software environment of your PC to match your gaming and/or professional preferences.
• Game prices. In most regions, PC games are cheaper than console games. Just compare prices for some games on Steam, PS Store, and Microsoft Store — the price on Steam is likely to be at least 50% lower. Additionally, unlike console stores, there are no monopolies in PC game stores. Moreover, the recent trend of game subscriptions has already reached PCs (Microsoft's PC Game Pass), making PC games even more accessible.
• Performance. A high-performance PC will outperform even the latest versions of current-gen consoles. PC hardware is updated much more frequently than new console generations are released. Thus, you can keep your PC up to date without being tied to a specific device version, which is not available to console gamers.

Cons:

• Hardware cost. PC hardware is still the most expensive compared to all other gaming devices. A single top-tier graphics card costs more than an entire current-gen gaming console.
• Lack of out-of-the-box solutions. With PC games, you almost never get a gaming solution out of the box. With consoles, simply plugging in the console from the box and you're ready to go. PCs almost always require some hardware and software configuration.
• Optimization issues. Optimizing a game on PC is much more complex than on a console due to the variety of available PC configurations. This leads some developers to focus on consoles when creating games, sometimes resulting in a worse gameplay experience for PC gamers.

PlayStation

Sony's consoles have held a significant share of the gaming device market since 1994. The latest version of the console, the PlayStation 5, released in 2020, seems to be approaching its peak as a gaming platform in 2024. The easing of the semiconductor crisis and the time since the console's launch make buying a PS5 now more advantageous than a couple of years ago.

Pros:

• Unrivaled next-gen games. The PS5 is a powerful gaming platform in terms of hardware and environment. The PS5's GPU can provide gamers with all the latest graphical features such as RTX, and SSD technology ensures fast loading. And all of this is available out of the box — plug in the console and log in or register an account.
• Price and lifecycle. By buying a PS5 console in 2023 at a price cheaper than a PC graphics card, gamers can guarantee themselves at least 4 more years of stable gaming. Even PS4 users can play most new games like Hogwarts Legacy or Elden Ring with a decent frame rate.
• PS-exclusive features. The PS5 offers exclusive gaming features such as adaptive triggers and haptic feedback on the DualSense controller. Additionally, some hardware specifications of this console, such as the new SSD mentioned above, reduce load times, allowing developers to include special features in their games, such as teleportation in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart.

Cons:

• Game prices. Games on the PS Store are the most expensive among all platforms. PlayStation launched the PS Plus subscription, the second tier of which provides free access to a catalog of nearly 400 games. However, the biggest titles are not included, so players have to buy them separately. Additionally, playing online games, even free ones, requires at least the lowest tier of PS Plus subscription.
• Hardware and UI issues. One of the most common complaints about the PlayStation gaming experience from players relates to hardware issues. Some parts of the DualShock and DualSense controllers break over time, requiring replacement.
• Also, players complain about the console's temperature and the noise it makes when processing certain visual effects. Another criticism of PS consoles is the user interface of the store and app, which some users find unclear and illogical. Another complaint point is the DualSense battery, which may be insufficient for longer gaming sessions and degrades over time.

Xbox Series X/S

Microsoft's consoles have been among the best gaming platforms since 2001. The current versions, the Xbox Series X/S, are the 4th generation of Microsoft consoles. In terms of hardware capabilities, the Xbox Series X is considered the most powerful gaming console to date. The Xbox Series S is a more budget-friendly version of the console from Microsoft, running all games from the Xbox catalog but at lower resolution and with a smaller hard drive.

Pros:

• Out-of-the-box hardware power. In terms of hardware, the Xbox Series X can be compared to some of the top-tier gaming PCs. And all of this can be obtained out of the box without worrying about hardware specs. The Xbox Series S may not provide the best gaming experience, but it guarantees running all Xbox Series X games at least at 30 frames per second.
• Xbox Game Pass subscription. Microsoft introduced a new way of accessing games with the release of the Xbox Game Pass subscription for the previous generation of consoles in 2017.

Cons:

• Lack of exclusive content. Xbox is often criticized for its lack of exclusive games: most of the catalog is also available on PC. This makes Xbox unattractive for gamers who already own a gaming PC.
• Less next-gen feel. Some gamers need help distinguishing their experience playing on Xbox Series X/S compared to the previous generation of Xbox consoles. Despite minor changes, players also complain that the Xbox controller has almost no differences between the current and past generations of Xbox consoles. Additionally, the Xbox controller uses portable batteries, which some gamers find inconvenient compared to rechargeable batteries in other controllers.

Nintendo Switch

From the Game Boy Advance to the 2DS XL, Nintendo has long offered gamers portable gaming. The company's latest development is the Nintendo Switch, released in 2017. Gamers worldwide value this gaming platform for its combination of portability, unique controls and mechanics, and a game catalog full of exclusive titles and even some AAA games like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt or Doom.

Pros:

• Portability. Until last year, the Nintendo Switch was the only relevant portable console. Its weight, design, and battery life provide players with a decent gaming experience while being 100% portable for several hours. You can take the Switch on a plane or a road trip and still enjoy quality gameplay.
• Unique mechanics. The Joy-Con and Pro Controller offer some special control options for games that many players find appealing, especially regarding gyroscope usage.
• Exclusive games. A significant portion of the Nintendo Switch audience buys this gaming platform primarily to experience exclusive games like Legend of Zelda or Super Mario Kart.

Cons:

• Hardware limitations. As a portable console, the Nintendo Switch has several significant hardware limitations: only 4 GB of RAM, a small hard drive, and weak CPU and GPU. Developers have to make games with these limitations in mind, which heavily impacts certain aspects of gameplay like graphics or load times.
• Game prices. Monopoly allows Nintendo to set high prices for its games, even if they may not be the best.

SteamDeck

Gabe Newell couldn't let Nintendo monopolize the portable gaming console market, so the world welcomed the SteamDeck — a Linux-based portable gaming console from Steam, released in 2022. A year after its market release, the SteamDeck sold over 3 million consoles worldwide.

Pros:

• Portability. Like the Nintendo Switch, the SteamDeck can be taken anywhere. It's larger than a Switch or gaming smartphone but smaller than a gaming laptop or traditional console.
• Versatility. Open source and a Linux-based OS make the SteamDeck not just a gaming console but a full-fledged portable PC. People use it for various purposes, from controlling drones to accessing smart home systems.
• Unique control mechanics. The gyroscope and other control features of the SteamDeck give players a unique gaming experience.
• Steam game catalog. The SteamDeck can run any game available on Steam, providing access to the most extensive game archive in the world.

Cons:

• Hardware limitations. Like the Nintendo Switch, the portability of the SteamDeck imposes significant hardware constraints. Only some games can achieve up to 30 frames per second on the SteamDeck. Additionally, the current SteamDeck battery provides only 2 hours of wireless gaming.
• Optimization issues. The SteamDeck must run all games from the Steam catalog, but the quality of gameplay depends on the game developer. Many companies optimize their games for the SteamDeck, but a large portion of the catalog is still awaiting optimization.

Mobile Devices

Mobile phones may seem like outdated gaming platforms to some, but their market share, audience size, and presence of major games like PUBG, Genshin Impact, Call of Duty, and Diablo prove otherwise.

Pros:

• Accessibility. It's hard for a modern person to live without a smartphone, meaning each of us carries a powerful gaming device in our pocket every day. Gamers only need a smartphone to access a huge library of mobile games.
• Versatility. For several decades now, a smartphone is not just a phone; it's a fully functional computer in your pocket. Having a smartphone capable of running games can help you with many other tasks.

Cons:

• Hardware limitations. Smartphones are smaller than portable gaming consoles and must perform many more functions, making their hardware constraints quite strict. Except for special mobile versions of major games like Fortnite or Call of Duty, you can hardly run an AAA game on a smartphone.
• Many pay-to-play mechanics. Mobile games are accessible to every smartphone owner (which is a large part of our planet's population). This huge audience tempts game developers to add inconvenient game mechanics like unavoidable ads, pay-to-win features, and tons of game cosmetics.

Conclusion

Considering all the above, it all depends on your game and the specifics of your audience. Good games can generate substantial revenue and experiences if done correctly.

Every modern platform, whether PC, console, portable device, or mobile, has a massive audience ready to contribute to a worthy gaming product — choose the most suitable platform and enjoy.