PC, Console and Mobile Gaming face new hardware pressures in 2026
Rising hardware costs and evolving platforms are changing gamers’ decisions in 2026.
The rising cost of components such as DRAM and NAND memory is coinciding in 2026 with a gaming market that continues to expand across PC, consoles and mobile devices. Pressure on hardware, together with new consumption dynamics, is changing players’ decisions about which devices to buy and when to upgrade them.
Projections from Newzoo show opportunities across the three major platforms, although each faces a different reality. Choosing where to play, what equipment to buy and when to upgrade it has become an increasingly strategic decision for gamers.
PC faces higher costs but maintains a vast game library.
On PC, the rapid growth of infrastructure for artificial intelligence is competing for some of the same production capacity required by consumer hardware, putting pressure on the prices of components such as DRAM and NAND.
This situation could raise the barrier to entry for those looking to start gaming and make it more difficult to upgrade systems designed for technically demanding titles. However, the platform maintains a vast game library and numerous titles that do not require the latest hardware.
64% of gaming time on PC during 2025 was concentrated on titles released before 2019. At the same time, time spent on paid games grew by around 18% year over year during the first quarter of 2026, while Newzoo projects 5.3% growth for the PC segment this year.
In practice, these figures show that a significant share of PC usage continues to be tied to games that do not depend on the latest generations of hardware.
“Today’s gamer is looking for much more than power: they want a platform that can support them for several years and offer the flexibility to enjoy both major releases and the vast library of titles that are already part of their lives. In a scenario where component costs are becoming increasingly relevant, factors such as upgradability, performance, cooling and a balanced configuration become even more important when choosing a system. At Acer, we understand that every gamer has different needs, which is why our commitment is to offer alternatives that allow them to find the right balance between performance, experience and long-term value,” said Silvio García, Acer’s regional director for Colombia and Mexico.
GTA VI could drive the console market in 2026.
The release of Grand Theft Auto VI is another relevant factor for the market in 2026. Its arrival, scheduled for November on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, could become one of the year’s main commercial catalysts.
Newzoo projects that console market revenue will reach US$46.9 billion in 2026, up 5.1% from the previous year, in a forecast that incorporates the role of the GTA VI launch. Its impact could also extend for years through users’ participation in the online ecosystem.
The anticipation surrounding major titles also highlights how video games can drive technology upgrade cycles. In this context, the choice depends both on the game users want to enjoy and on the platform and configuration required to do so.
Mobile gaming continues to expand despite device costs.
Mobile gaming continues to be a gateway to the industry. Newzoo projects US$121.1 billion in mobile revenue for 2026, 6.8% more than the previous year.
The free-to-play model facilitates access for millions of players, while genres such as 4X strategy and so-called merge games continue to gain ground. At the same time, direct-to-consumer sales channels are becoming increasingly important for developers and publishers, transforming the way games are monetized.
Rising device prices also pose challenges for this platform, particularly in markets where mid-range smartphones represent the main entry point for new players.
The diversity of gamers expands hardware needs.
Gaming brings together different profiles and consumption habits: from those who wait years for a major release to those who regularly return to a familiar title, compete, play for a few minutes on a smartphone or build an experience around a PC.
For Acer, this diversity explains the need to address different profiles and budgets. Its offerings range from systems for those just starting to game to configurations designed for more demanding graphics experiences, with the choice depending on what each person plays, how they play and what they expect from their system over the coming years.
In an industry where games evolve, hardware becomes more sophisticated and component costs pose new challenges, gaming maintains one common thread: a community that continues to grow and find new ways to play.
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