Sudden Rise in PC Games Development Means Xbox Has Already Beaten Sony

Determining the ultimate platform for gaming has been a challenge since the beginning, with strong competition among options like PCs, Xbox, PS5, and other consoles like Nintendo Switch that happen to be in a league of their own.

However, clear navigation out of this dilemma has always been in front of us, and it is to judge the number of games each platform has to offer, something that PC users have a huge lead in, which ultimately also benefits Xbox.

A win for PC is a win for Xbox

Microsoft, being the ultimate home ground for PC users and Xbox users alike, sees nothing but a golden egg-laying hen when it comes to the gaming industry. The company started to offer more than just a gaming console in the past few years, and the Xbox Game Pass subscription model became a game-changer for gamers.

As revealed in GDC’s 2025 State of the Game Industry report, 80% of all developers out in the industry are currently working on developing a game for PCs, putting the platform in the lead when it comes to capturing the market.

Last year, 66% of developers reported that they were working on games for PC. This year, that number climbed up to 80%. While the reason for this is unclear, it could be at least partially attributed to the rising popularity of Valve’s Steam Deck. While the Steam Deck wasn’t specifically listed as an option for developers to list as a platform they’re developing games for, of the respondents who chose the ‘Other’ option, 44% of them wrote in Steam Deck as a platform they’re interested in.

The significant jump in the number of developers working on PC games is not only good news for users of the platform but also for those who are Xbox fans, leaving behind Sony and its very own gaming line, PlayStation.

Why a win for PC and Xbox is synonymous

Many would be confused right now as they wonder how more titles on PC would be considered a win for Xbox. The answer lies in the game-changing Game Pass subscription, which is not only limited to consoles but is also available to PC users.

Not only do players get access to a lot of games with just a single subscription, but further incentives such as Free Play Days, the continuous addition of newer titles, and the ultimate day-one release are a big win for Xbox Game Pass subscribers on PC.

The most significant incentive of all the ones mentioned above is probably the day-one releases, which are not only limited to indie or not-so-popular games but major releases, including the very recent example of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.