Relying on which podcasts you take heed to, you might be forgiven for considering the Steam Deck is crucial platform on the planet. However new market analysis from IDC estimates the hand-held has shipped round 4 million items since launch, placing it at a couple of third of the PS Vita’s lifetime whole.
There may be essential context to contemplate right here, in fact: Valve solely sells the hand-held by way of its personal storefront, eradicating all retail presence and making it extra of an fanatic machine. Furthermore, the unit works with current Steam libraries, which means it doesn’t depend on devoted software program assist like earlier handhelds such because the PSP and PS Vita did.
However with IDC estimating the mixed shipments of Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw at below two million items for 2024, it does put into perspective simply how small the hand-held PC gaming market is correct now.
Nonetheless, the business clearly sees huge potential development on this market. Microsoft has already come out and confirmed it’s engaged on a handheld, whereas there have been rumours Sony is plotting one thing comparable for the PS6.
And to be truthful, about 3% of PS5 house owners have bought Distant Play streaming system PS Portal since its launch in late 2023. Crudely extrapolating that statistic from the 75 million consoles Sony has shipped worldwide suggests round two million PS Portals have additionally been offered within the final yr and a bit.
