PC Gamer's recent reader survey reveals a clear appetite for two genres that defined PC gaming's golden age: real-time strategy and puzzle games. The outlet's audience shows overwhelming demand for both genres to return to prominence on the platform.
RTS games, once the lifeblood of PC gaming with franchises like StarCraft, Warcraft III, and Command and Conquer dominating the late 90s and 2000s, have largely faded from mainstream attention. The last major entries remain aging titles, with StarCraft II sitting dormant for years and newer attempts failing to recapture that magic. Yet PC players still crave the strategic depth, competitive multiplayer, and the satisfaction of commanding armies across dynamic battlefields.
Puzzle games tell a similar story. From Tetris Effect to Portal 2, from Baba Is You to the Witness, puzzle-driven experiences once generated massive cultural moments. Today, they occupy a smaller slice of the market despite proven player dedication and critical acclaim.
The survey data reflects a fundamental mismatch between what players want and what the industry currently delivers. Publishers tend to chase live-service shooters, battle royales, and action RPGs. These genres dominate revenue and player counts, leaving niche-but-beloved categories underserved. The irony: indie developers have proven the appetite exists. Games like Itch.io hosts thousands of puzzle and strategy titles, yet major studios rarely bankroll AAA experiences in either genre.
This disconnect matters. It suggests room for disruption in the market. A well-funded RTS revival from a major publisher could generate headlines and player migration. Similarly, a AAA puzzle experience with production values matching narrative-driven games could find surprising commercial success.
PC remains the natural home for both genres. Keyboard and mouse controls suit strategy depth. Puzzle design benefits from the platform's computational flexibility and