More PC game developers are entering the market, which is good news for Steam Deck.

The latest research shows that Informa and Omdia are indicating a significant increase in PC game development. Such an increase is likely to inadvertently support the Steam Deck.

"Before the Game Developers Conference, Inform and Omdia surveyed over 3,000 industry professionals and confirmed that 80% of developers currently work on PC games. This is an increase from 66% the year before, and it's the highest percentage since 2018. The survey also indicates an increase in interest in PC games this year. 74% of developers expressed interest in PC games this year, compared to 62% last year. PC platforms have always been the most popular choice for developers, ranking ahead of consoles and mobile games."

The increase in PC game development is proven by the number of new titles released on Steam. According to SteamDB, in 2024, 18,974 individual game titles will be released on Steam, a 32% increase from the previous year. The exact reasons for this increase are not fully understood, but several possible factors include:

One reason for the rise in popularity of smartphone games could be the increasing popularity of Valve's Steam Deck. While accurate sales figures are not publicly available, it is estimated that millions of these devices have been sold, making them an important part of the portable PC game market. This number is smaller than that of the overall PC and console markets, but Steam Deck may still significantly influence the content developers create.

Recently, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth for PC was tested extensively on the Steam Deck, and the device gained popularity, revealing several persistent technical issues. Many users were able to play games on SteamOS running on AMD hardware on the Steam Deck, but users using alternative Linux distributions or NVIDIA graphics cards reported problems. This revealed an issue of achieving smooth operation of games across different platforms.

The portability of the Steam Deck is considered one reason why many people participate in PC gaming. The Steam Deck offers the convenience of portable devices while providing the power of high-end desktop computers, making it an attractive option for players who prefer mobile devices. As more titles are developed for PC games, the sales of Steam Decks may increase, attracting a wider audience looking for portable games.

The continuous success of the Steam Deck could potentially increase the focus of many developers on developing PC games, thereby creating a positive cycle in the gaming industry. It's important to consider that data can be influenced by randomness. The survey was based on a self-selected group of participants from the Game Developers Conference and does not represent all game developers. However, despite these concerns, the survey results and Steam releases suggest that the PC gaming industry is strong and growing.