What is the future of PC gaming in SA?

From the results of the recent MyGaming Lifestyle Survey, we can see that the majority of our readers are part of the Glorious PC Gaming Master Race. For the uninitiated, or console peasants like myself, this means they prefer to play games on their PC as opposed to a console.

With the rise of mobile gaming, the success of the PlayStation 4, and the imminent arrival of the Xbox One, will PC gaming continue to maintain its spot at the top?

We spoke to local PC builders and a large local ICT distributor and asked what, in their opinion, the future holds for PC gaming in SA.

2014

“The gaming industry has shown massive growth in 2014, as internet connectivity is increasing and there is a growth in the [view] of gaming as a feasible form of entertainment,” said a Rectron spokesperson. “As manufacturers tap into this growth they adapt and work increasingly with game developers, which is great for the consumer experience.”

Rectron added that they have also seen a major increase in GPU sales in 2014, which could be contributed to the quality of game bundles.

PC builders Evetech said the local PC market had seen an increase in the sale of high-end components – GPUs in particular – combined with a drop in prices.

“The gaming market in South Africa is alive and kicking, with an active community and more clans popping up all the time,” said Evetech.

Fellow PC builders Rebel Tech said sales had started to pick up in 2014, and were doing well.

The Future

So, what does the future hold for PC gaming in the country?

“PC gaming is a form of entertainment, and there will always be a need for entertainment. Where PC gaming has the edge is the community services and interactivity of PC gaming will keep consumers coming back. As consumers get more familiar and educated on the modularity of PCs, they will be able to tailor their own experience to fit their budgets,” said Rectron.

“If their PC isn’t performing to their expectations anymore, they need not change the whole machine, they can simply upgrade a component. The future for PC Gaming looks bright and will evolve even further, as more interactive ways of gaming get implemented, and the competitive scene matures in SA.”

Rebel Tech said they also expected growth in the “mini-bomb” sector – small and powerful PCs that are highly portable – a trend which was already starting to take off.

Do you think PC gaming will stay at the top for the foreseeable future, or will the console/tablet/phone become the platform of choice? Give us your thoughts in the comments and forum.