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PC gaming surges in 2011 - Report

PC Gaming Alliance's "Horizon" findings says desktop market took in $18.6 billion last year, predicts valuation to hit $25.5 billion by 2015.

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The PC gaming market is growing at a healthy clip, according to a report from pro-desktop group PC Gaming Alliance. The group's "Horizon Research 2011" report claims that 2011 global PC gaming revenues came in at $18.6 billion, up 15 percent from last year's haul.

PC gaming is on the rise, according to the PCGA.
PC gaming is on the rise, according to the PCGA.

Of note, the group found that the Chinese PC gaming market is growing at a rate nearly twice that of any other region and that it accounts for 2011 revenue of $6 billion, up 27 percent.

Additionally, the PCGA's report claims "mature game markets" like Korea, Japan, US, UK, and Germany climbed 11 percent in 2011 to $8 billion

The report specifically called out Zynga and Nexon (makers of Maple Story) as important PC players. The firm's findings say Zynga pulled in $1.1 billion in 2011, nearly double its take in 2010, with Nexon also recording similar figures.

The report said significant PC gaming growth in 2011 stemmed from free-to-play games like League of Legends, but it noted that a string of high-profile big-budget games also helped. The firm specifically called out Star Wars: The Old Republic, Battlefield 3, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and Assassin's Creed: Revelations as significant contributors.

Looking ahead, the PCGA said it expects PC gaming to continue to grow. It predicts the market to balloon 37 percent to about $25.5 billion by 2015. The firm said this growth will be driven by more widespread access to broadband Internet connections, as well as the "ease" of digital distribution and payment methods.

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