Despite console dominance, Valve thinks Japan could be the fastest-growing PC market in the world

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An expanding market and a penchant for handhelds drove the Steam Deck's Japanese launch

Steam Deck review
(Image credit: Valve)

Japan's PC gaming market is rapidly expanding, according to a leading Valve business developer.

Speaking to Automaton Media (and translated by GamesRadar+) in a new interview, Valve business developer Erik Peterson was asked why the company chose to launch the Steam Deck in Japan. Peterson began by saying that although "home consoles are dominant in Japan," the "PC gaming market is larger than you think."

The Valve developer added that Japan is one of the top 10 markets in the world for gaming in general, and could even be the world's fastest-growing market. Peterson added that this is the chief reason Valve chose to launch the Steam Deck in Japan, in addition to the "rapidly-growing PC gaming scene in Japan."

With the Switch, production is an ongoing issue, as it has been for well over a year at this point. Nintendo did reiterate last month that it would aim to ramp up production of the Switch in time for the Holidays, so there's hope yet for the five-year-old console at least. Given the difficulties facing the two most dominant consoles, it's not hard to see why PC gaming has emerged as a viable alternative to many around the world, let alone Japan.

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Hirun Cryer
Hirun Cryer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.