Processing capabilities needed to support simulation games expected to push PC hardware sales into the billions.
Jon Peddie Research (JPR) has analyzed the sales impact of the release of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 on hardware spending of gamers. This includes PC builds, processor upgrades, display upgrades, flight sticks and throttles, flight system control units, rudder pedals, simulation pit components such as seats and frames, and VR sales.
Three levels of economically active PC gamers and simulation fans were analyzed, entry-level, mid-range, and high-end. Economically active PC gamers are a subset of the global PC gaming populace who rebuild, buy, and upgrade components and accessories with a higher frequency or “refresh rate.” The amount they spend differs and the probability they are flight sim fans differs by level. The higher the level, the more sim fans there are as a percentage, and the more they spend.
Based on the assumption of a sale of 2.27 million units of Flight Simulator 2020 selling over the next three years, JPR estimates that in that time frame $2.6 billion will be spent on hardware with the specific intent of improving the gaming experience. Much more will be spent over the title's complete sales cycle.
“Flight simulators are incredibly demanding on processing capability and reward high resolution, large displays, and VR use,” commented senior analyst, gaming industry, Ted Pollak. “When new flight simulators are released, the hardware to run them at max settings and performance does not even exist yet. This creates a situation of constant hardware demand over the life of the title as fans chase the best experience. A significant number of flight sim fans only play flight sim. We took this into account when calculating whether the money will be spent specifically or partially because of this game.”
“Beneficiaries of the Microsoft Flight Sim 2020 release will be Intel and AMD due to the demand flight simulators place on CPUs,” explained JPR president, Dr. Jon Peddie. “The framerate can only be drawn when all physical calculations are resolved, and simulations need more physical and environmental resolving by the CPU than normal games. Simulation gamers know the CPU is not easily upgraded so they pay for the best. Nvidia, AMD, and Intel’s GPU offerings will also benefit as that processing is needed for high resolutions. Dell, HP, Lenovo, and other gaming PC builders are also going to see a significant sales boost from this release. As will HP and other VR headset makers with supported products. Of course, all the top PC component and accessory makers will also cash in on the release.”
Source: John Peddie Research
