PC gaming hardware sales to hit £3bn in Europe

The traditional PC market may be facing some of its toughest challenges yet, but the games industry can give it a much-needed shot in the arm.
Data from Jon Peddie Research (JPR) shows that PC gaming hardware sales in Western Europe are expected to rise over the next three years to almost £3.15 billion ($4.89 billion) in 2016.
Globally, JPR predicts that the gaming hardware market will increase to £12.2 billion ($18.94 billion) in 2014, £12.7 billion ($19.71 billion) in 2015 and £13.38 billion ($20.77 billion) in 2016.
“We have found Western Europe to be a very diverse and resilient market for gaming on the PC platform,” JPR game industry senior analyst Ted Pollak told PCR.
“The higher end ‘enthusiast’ and upper mid range ‘performance’ level equipment markets are quite strong as a result of the popularity of simulation gaming, as well as niche MMOs like EVE Online.
“Despite the upcoming release of next generation consoles [Xbox One and PS4], the effect of mobiles and tablets and a lukewarm economy, we are forecasting growth of around £119.23 million ($185 million) to almost £3.02 billion ($4.7 billion) of Western European PC gaming hardware purchases over the next year.”

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...-europe/031846