Choosing the platform to release a game on is a crucial moment in the development process. The success of the project and the number of players depends on it. In this article, we break down the most popular gaming platforms and their features to help you make an informed decision.
Gaming platforms—what are they
Gaming platforms are systems from which video games can be launched and played. They can be physical devices (consoles, PCs, smartphones) or virtual spaces (online services).
Each gaming platform has its audience, its technical features, and its specific characteristics for developers. That’s why choosing a platform to create a game on is a key step in the development process.
The choice of platform dictates:
- What mechanics and graphics the game will have.
- Who the target audience will be.
- How the game can be monetized.
- How the development and testing of the game will proceed.
- How the game can be promoted and marketed.
Top gaming platforms in 2024
PC
The PC is the most universal and flexible platform for games. Since the arrival of the first desktop computers, PC games have been the backbone of the industry. Both small indie projects and massive blockbusters can be found on PC. Players mostly buy games for PC from Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG.
Advantages of PC:
- Artistic freedom: On the PC, you are not limited by the framework of a console ecosystem. You decide how your game is going to work and look.
- Big audience: According to Steam, active monthly users of the platform reach over 120 million.
- Simple updating: You can quickly launch patches and new content, without the long testing required by consoles.
- Powerful hardware: PCs allow you to create all types of games with incredible graphics and complex mechanics.
- Modding: Supporting mods can extend the life of a game and attract extra players.
- Cross-platforming: Many engines allow you to port PC games onto consoles or mobile devices.
- Low entry requirements: To start developing, you don’t need expensive dev kits or certification.
- Variety of genres: Both niche games and mainstream games are comfortably accommodated on the PC.
Examples of popular PC games:
- Starfield is a cosmic RPG from Bethesda with a huge universe to explore.
- Baldur’s Gate 3 is the latest in the legendary series of award-winning RPGs.
- League of Legends is one of the most popular MOBA games with a huge cybersports scene.
Mobile gaming platforms
Mobile devices are the most accessible and popular way to play games. Google Play and the App Store offer millions of games to smartphone and tablet users.
Advantages of mobile gaming platforms:
- Huge audience: In 2024, the number of smartphone users reached over 4.88 billion.
- Fast entry into the market: The process of publishing games in app stores takes only a few days.
- Variety of monetization opportunities: You can choose the model that best suits your game: free-to-play, subscription, or one-time purchase.
- Cross-platforming: Lots of engines let you create games for iOS and Android at the same time.
- Constant market growth: Mobile gaming continues to grow faster than the PC or console markets.
- Innovative mechanics: Touch controls, AR, and geolocation open up new possibilities for game design.
Examples of mobile games:
- Honkai: Star Rail is a sci-fi RPG from Genshin Impact with turn-based fights.
- Pokemon GO is an augmented-reality game that continues to attract millions of players.
- Among Us is a deduction-based social game adapted for mobile devices.
PlayStation
Sony’s PlayStation remains firmly in front of the console market. The platform combines two generations of device (PS4 and PS5) which gives developers access to a huge player base. PlayStation is particularly attractive for the creators of major projects with big budgets.
Advantages of PlayStation:
- Big audience: In 2023, Sony sold almost 21.8 million PS5 devices worldwide. And total sales of PlayStation 4 rose to more than 117 million.
- Technical capabilities: The PS5 allows you to create games with amazing graphics and complex mechanics.
- Sony support: The company actively helps developers, particularly those who create exclusively for PlayStation.
- Stable ecosystem: Consoles give you fixed technical properties, which makes optimization easier.
- Players are willing to pay: PlayStation users are used to paying full price for games.
- Prestige: A release on PlayStation is often seen as a sign of a game’s quality.
- Integration with services: PS Plus and PS Now give you additional channels for monetization.
Examples of PlayStation games:
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is a sequel to the popular action game that is only available on PS5.
- Final Fantasy XVI is the latest installment of the legendary JRPG series, with the emphasis on action.
- God of War: Ragnarök is an epic adventure that has won numerous awards.
Microsoft Xbox
Microsoft’s Xbox is a serious player in the game platform market. It combines the Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PCs with Windows. This makes Xbox an attractive option for developers, particularly those who are interested in access to a big market.
Advantages of Xbox:
- Cross-platforming: Games for Xbox are easily adapted to PCs, broadening your potential market.
- Powerful hardware: Xbox Series X allows you to create technically advanced games with excellent graphics.
- Xbox Game Pass: The subscription system allows you to monetize your game even without direct sales.
- Cloud gaming: Xbox Cloud Gaming gives access to games on different devices.
- Developer tools: Microsoft supplies developers with an easy-to-use SDK and support.
- Backward compatibility: Games for the Xbox One work on new consoles, which means you can keep your audience.
- Integration with Windows: Microsoft’s Play Anywhere technology allows gamers to switch between PC and console.
Examples of Xbox games:
- Halo Infinite is the latest in the legendary series of shooters that is Xbox’s flagship.
- Forza Horizon 5 is a racing game with an open world that shows off the console’s graphics capabilities.
Nintendo
The Nintendo Switch is a console that launched a revolution, combining a portable gaming machine and a home console in one device.
Why developers should pay attention to Nintendo:
- Portability: The Switch allows you to create games that can be played anywhere.
- Fan loyalty: Nintendo has a very loyal fan base that is willing to try new games.
- Less competition: Fewer games are released on Nintendo than on other platforms, which increases your chance of being noticed.
- Support for indie developers: Nintendo actively promotes indie games in its store.
- Stable ecosystem: The console’s technical characteristics are unchanging, which makes development and optimization easier.
- Local multiplayer feature: Switch works if you want to create games where people can play together.
Examples of Nintendo Switch games:
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the latest installment in the cult series of adventure games.
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a racing game that remains one of the most popular on the platform.
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a life simulator that has become a cultural phenomenon.
Nintendo is a good option for those who want to create games for all the family or to experiment with new gameplay formats. Here you’ll find an audience that’s always open to fresh ideas and ready to support original projects.
Epic Games Store
Epic Games Store quickly made itself popular among players and developers. The platform’s attractions include its generous offers for users and its favorable conditions for game creators.
Why developers should pay attention to Epic Games Store:
- Favorable distribution of revenue: Epic offers developers 88% of revenue, which is higher than the standard 70% on other platforms.
- Support program: Epic often offers developers financing in return for temporary exclusivity.
- Less competition: The store currently features fewer games than its competitors, which increases your chance of being noticed.
- Integration with Unreal Engine: If you use this engine, then publishing on EGS is even simpler.
Examples of Epic Games Store games:
- Fortnite is Epic Games’s flagship project, which is always being updated with new content.
- Rocket League—after Psyonix was bought out by Epic, the game became free and attracted a new audience.
- Control is an action-adventure game from Remedy Entertainment that was temporarily exclusive to EGS.
Epic Games Store will suit developers who want to increase their profits and get extra support. The platform is particularly attractive for projects made with Unreal Engine.
Platforms for cloud gaming
Cloud gaming is a way of playing games without a powerful computer. All the work is done on remote servers, while the player just receives a video stream. This means you can launch complex games even on underperforming devices.
These are the main cloud gaming platforms:
NVIDIA GeForce Now
NVIDIA GeForce Now is a service that allows you to play modern games even on devices with low performance. All the work is done on powerful NVIDIA servers.
Advantages of GeForce Now for game developers:
- High quality graphics: GeForce Now supports RTX technology, which lets you show your games in all their beauty.
- Cross-platforming: Players can start playing on their PC and then pick up the game on their mobile device.
- Integration with existing stores: Gamers can use games they have already bought on Steam, Epic Games Store, or other platforms.
- Protection against piracy: Cloud gaming makes it harder to distribute illegal copies of games.
- Permanently updated hardware: NVIDIA regularly updates its servers, which means video games can always work at maximum performance.
- Analytics: Developers get data about who and how many people are playing their games.
Examples of GeForce Now games:
- Cyberpunk 2077 is a game that has high system requirements but is available to a wide audience thanks to cloud gaming.
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a large-scale RPG that demonstrates RTX’s capabilities through cloud streaming.
Google Stadia
Google Stadia is a platform that allows you to play games in the Chrome browser or on devices with Android TV.
Advantages of Stadia for game developers:
- Platform functions that others don’t have: For example, State Share allows you to share specific moments in a game.
- Integration with YouTube: It’s possible to launch games directly from YouTube videos.
- Lack of piracy: Games only work on Google servers.
- Multiplayer cross-platforming: Gamers with different devices can easily play together.
- Real-time analytics: Google provides extensive data about gaming sessions.
- Ability to create exclusive games: Google finances the development of games specially for Stadia.
Examples of Stadia games:
- Destiny 2 is a multiplayer shooter that works brilliantly on the cloud.
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is an open Viking world that can be accessed without a powerful PC.
For cloud platform developers, it is an opportunity to make your game available to a larger number of people. You can forget about underperforming computers and create more complex and beautiful games. Furthermore, updates reach all players instantaneously, and it’s hard for pirates to steal your game.
However, cloud gaming does have its minuses. You need a stable internet connection. Sometimes there are delays, and buttons don’t respond instantly. Currently, not all games can be launched in the cloud. But the technology is developing fast.
Which platforms are the best for games?
The choice of the best platform for your game depends on a number of factors, and there is no universal answer for all cases. Here are the main points that need to be considered:
Your game type:
- Simple or casual games are well suited to mobile platforms.
- Complex and large-scale are better developed on PC or console.
Your target audience:
- Think about where your potential players spend most of their time—on smartphones, computers, or consoles.
Your project budget:
- Development for consoles normally requires more resources than for mobile devices.
- PC development can be more accessible for small teams.
Your team’s technical skills:
- Some platforms require specific knowledge or tools.
Monetization potential:
- Mobile platforms work well for games with microtransactions.
- Consoles and PCs are better for selling full versions of a game.
It’s often best of all to launch a game on several platforms at once. That way you can attract a bigger audience. But bear in mind that adaptations require investment—of money and time.
The most important thing is to make interesting gameplay. If your game is entertaining, people will find a way of playing it on any platform.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Steam so popular among gamers?
Steam attracts gamers for the following reasons:
- A large library of games (over 50,000). You can find games in different genres, from AAA blockbusters to indie hits.
- Free-of-charge: there are no monthly or annual subscriptions.
- You can leave reviews and rate games.
- Many games support community-created modifications. Gamers can customize the game however they want.
- Steam has an active community and a workshop that quickly produces dozens of mods for games.
Which gaming platform is the best?
The choice depends on your game’s type and its audience.
- For games with high-quality graphics that require powerful hardware, PlayStation and Xbox are great options. They have good hardware and popular exclusives.
- For breadth of audience and fast time to market, PC is the best choice. If your goal is to reach a wide audience and get to market quickly, PC is your best bet. It’s a flexible platform with a large player base.
- For casual and family-oriented games, the Nintendo Switch is ideal. It combines the functions of a home and portable console, as well as offering popular games.
- For mobile games, Google Play and the App Store are the best options. They have a huge base of smartphone and tablet users.
- If you’re interested in cloud technology, NVIDIA GeForce Now and Google Stadia are worth a look. They allow you to play games on any device.
Which platforms do most gamers play on?
According to a study by HowLongToBeat, the most popular platform among gamers in 2023 was the PC. Also, in the top 10 were: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, 5, and 3, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, and Nintendo 3DS.
