The Rise of PC Gaming in Pakistan
Yeah yeah, it's still not much, but it's more than ever 'before'
Remember the good old days when all you talked about was playing your favorite game on the latest console you bought when you were in school? Countless hours were spent debating whether the Xbox was better than the PlayStation or vice versa. I personally knew people who would actually choose a Nintendo all day long when you mentioned Xbox or some other console.
But all of that changed in the last couple of years; people who were die-hard fans of console gaming betrayed their good old console for a PC. With the passage of time, everyone and their dog got familiar with “what good performance means“and “what high FPS is.”.
And it didn’t take long for them to figure out that their old console, which sounded like starting a tractor when turning it on, was definitely not going to give them an edge over their friends in gaming.
This shift was inevitable, like let’s be realistic - over time games were becoming more demanding in every possible way. And suddenly, gaming PCs weren’t just for the average tech nerd. Rather, it was for anybody who wanted an edge in gaming, whether it was an esports player or just a casual gamer who wanted the best performance. And once you switch to a gaming PC and experience 144Hz refresh rates and higher FPS, it is like choosing a pill that leaves you no way back.
Today, I will be shedding some light on the rise of PC gaming in Pakistan. More importantly, we will dive into the why and how this revolution took place. We will also be talking about what the future of gaming might look like in Pakistan in a couple of years. So, without wasting any more time, let's get to the main point.
The Driving Forces Behind the PC Gaming Boom
Two of the major reasons for the shift in the gaming industry are the internet itself and the availability of different game servers. Back in the day, everyone had Internet problems, and the Internet wasn’t really reliable when compared with today’s Internet.
Different games, such as Fortnite and Valorant, didn’t even have any servers close to Pakistan. I remember playing these games while getting ping around 150-200 ms due to the absence of regional servers for Pakistan. You might be wondering, if we had so many problems, then how come the rise of PC gaming occurred, right? Let’s get to that part.
The Internet Revolution in Pakistan
One of the biggest game-changers for PC gaming in Pakistan has been the rise of fiber-optic internet. Different companies like StormFiber and Nayatel have brought stable, high-speed connections to many cities, which drastically reduced latency, allowing us to play any online game we want without screaming at our internet for being bad.
The fiber-optic connections did exist some years ago as well, but the companies were only falsely claiming to provide such connections. I don’t really want to shed any light on these companies; I'm pretty sure you get what I am saying. But truly, online gaming some years ago was nothing less than a nightmare. Constant lag spikes, you and your teammates raging because of the internet, and disconnections from the game every 5 minutes were such a pain in the head.
Such problems made the game unplayable, which led to players quitting the game before the fun even started. But thanks to fiber connections, these issues are no longer that serious. While internet issues still exist in some areas, the shift to fiber has been a massive leap forward in every way, plus it actually allowed gamers to experience a much lower latency, which is surely a dream come true for anyone in Pakistan.
Better Servers for Online Games
Back in the day, playing online games in Pakistan was nothing less than torturing yourself.
I remember trying to play Valorant when it first launched with my Indian friend, and since there were no proper regional servers, the experience was terrible. The high ping made me rage so many times. And don’t even get me started on Fortnite. When it was first launched, we had no choice but to play on Asian servers, which meant dealing with a brutal 200ms ping, and this was literally the lowest latency you could get at that time.
Imagine taking a shot or trying to build a wall, and by the time our action registered, the enemy who literally was so bad at the video game had already built a mansion around themselves to protect themself.
But things have changed. Many games, such as Valorant, Warzone, Apex Legends, and Fortnite, now have Middle East | South Asia servers, which makes life so much easier. Due to the development of these servers, it is actually possible to play any game competitively or have fun at the very baseline. Of course, it is still not possible to get very low latency, but the games are still much more playable than they were in the past.
The Changing Economics of Gaming
The graphics and performance of a game surely are very important, but there are some other very important things as well when it comes to gaming, such as its affordability and accessibility. Over the years, the way people buy and play games has shifted drastically. I remember that I used to practically beg my father to buy me a physical disc for the game I wanted it and it was really expensive. Even now, if you are a console gamer, you literally have to spend a fortune to buy 1 physical disc of that Tekken 8.
However, PC gamers don’t have to face such problems anymore, thanks to different digital stores and luxuries like regional pricing. These have played a major role in how things are right now. These stores made games far more affordable and accessible than ever. Whether it’s massive discounts on Steam sales or even free-to-play titles, gaming is no longer limited to those who can afford expensive copies of video games. Now, even the average kid who just loves playing games can enjoy top-tier gaming without having holes in his wallet.
Anyway, enough talking, let’s actually learn about the different ways the economy has affected gaming, which is one of the sole reasons for the switch from consoles to PC for many people.
Fair Game Prices with Parity Pricing
There was a time when buying games felt like a luxury, especially in regions like Pakistan. Many gamers, including me, had no choice but to rely on pirated copies, which had tons of risks such as viruses attached to them, and most of the time, the game wouldn’t even run due to the files being corrupted.
But those times are long gone. Thanks to parity pricing, which has completely changed things. Now, platforms like Steam, Epic Games, and even EA Play offer regional pricing, making games much more affordable. On top of that, there are multiple frequent sales during events like Summer Sale, Winter Sale, and Halloween, making it even easier to grab high-quality games at a lower price.
Guess what the best part is? No worries about cracked games messing up your PC or random errors such as MSCVP100.dll Missing! getting thrown in your face. Just pay, download, and enjoy a hassle-free gaming experience.
Free-to-Play Games Are Taking Over
We live in an era where you can buy games at a really cheap price, but guess what? You can play one of the most popular games out there without paying a dime out of your pocket. Whether you like to play competitively and improve at the game or just play the game with your friends for fun, games like Valorant, Warzone, Fortnite, and Marvel Rivals are the best choices.
The rise of free-to-play games has completely changed the gaming landscape. And with new hits like Marvel Rivals in the market, the trend isn’t slowing down anytime soon. People are literally obsessed with this game right now. The news and memes related to this game are everywhere, and that is how much hype is brought by 1 single game in the market, which is literally free. Because of all these reasons, PC gaming has become much more valuable because players can now access the best games without worrying about the cost, and who doesn’t love to save their money?
Think of free to play games as someone else paying for you to play. It is true that these games have bad gacha mechanics and lootbox mechanics that can be addictive. But if you are disciplined, you can get a lot of enjoyment for not spending a lot. Maybe we cover the concerns of games as a service in another article down the road.
Hardware No Longer Needs Constant Upgrades
Back in the day, not everyone was able to afford a good PC, and it wasn’t just about buying a PC with decent hardware; it was about upgrading the PC each year. Games were not optimized well enough, and that's why every latest game needed a better GPU. Developers did not focus on making the game optimized in such a way that it can run on old hardware, which is the main reason people used to play games on consoles. Because you just pay for consoles once, and then you can enjoy playing games on it for years.
But there was a big shift in how things worked, a shift which changed people’s minds into switching to PC from their beloved console. You must be curious to know what I mean, right? Let’s get to that part.
PC Specification Have Stabilized
When I say “PC specs have stabilized”, what I am actually trying to say is that the need to upgrade your GPU or CPU or any other hardware components is no longer required in order to play your favorite game.
Gone are the days when you had to upgrade your PC every couple of years just to keep up with modern games. Today, even older GPUs like the GTX 1660 or GTX 1080 can basically run almost every game at 60fps.
Indeed, this is one of the main reasons for the boom in PC gaming. People saw the benefits of PC gaming and decided to take the blue pill. They quickly realized that it was no longer an expensive hobby; rather, it was a smart long-term investment.
Now, gamers don’t have to worry about any of the problems that were faced by people when it came to the topic of PC gaming some years ago. Everyone can simply make a wise one-time investment and spend the next couple of years without worrying about anything.
Optimization in Modern Games
Nowadays, games are optimized to run on lower-end PCs as well, but it was not like that from the start. Remember when games such as Cyberpunk came out? It had so many performance issues. However, it did become quite better after the company released patches to improve the bugs. But the point is that the world of modern gaming is slowly changing. Developers are working harder and smarter than ever to make sure different video games can run on any kind of hardware.
Many AAA games now come with extensive graphics settings, allowing players to adjust performance according to their hardware. PC gamers get the option to adjust the texture quality, shadows, or resolution scaling according to their system.
On top of that, technologies like DLSS by NVIDIA and FSR by AMD have impacted the gaming performance by a lot. These features allow users to lower resolutions using AI, giving you better frame rates without sacrificing visual quality. This means even 5-6-year-old GPUs can keep up with the gaming world, making PC gaming much more affordable and sustainable.
What’s Next for PC Gaming in Pakistan?
PC gaming in Pakistan has come a long way. I remember that some years ago, 1/10 people used to game on their PC, but the numbers have completely switched; almost 5/10 people whom I meet in my daily life are PC gamers. What was once considered an expensive and irrational choice is now seen as a great investment for both casual and competitive gamers.
On top of that, our internet technology has also improved so much from what it used to be, it has transformed into Super Saiyan 3 from being in a base form. Because of this, the gaming culture and industry have been affected heavily.
But guess what? This is just the beginning. With each passing day, more players are making the switch to PC gaming. Apart from that, we are also getting to see major shifts in how gaming is perceived and experienced. Competitive gaming and esports are gaining attention, content creation is booming, and gaming itself is becoming more socially acceptable. The days of gaming being viewed as a "waste of time & potential" are fading, instead, the future of gaming is becoming brighter in Pakistan with each passing day.
Esports & Competitive Gaming Growth
Esports is no longer just something we watch happening in other countries. Pakistan is slowly rising from the shadows in the esports world. Different Pakistani players have already won many prizes in different tournaments. Due to technological advancements, players have become skilled enough to compete in local tournaments, and now they are improving themselves to even play internationally. Time is shifting, it is no longer a dream for Pakistani gamers to adopt Esports as a career.
Different universities and cafes have started organizing gaming competitions involving different games for players to prove their skills, which is proving to be very helpful in players earning a name in their local communities. These tournaments are also increasing the prize pools, which can act as a motivating factor for many players. Other than that, sponsorships are becoming more common, which is ultimately turning esports into a new career path.
This is just the start of a new era; what was once seen as just a hobby is now slowly evolving into something much bigger. An industry that is giving Pakistani gamers the chance to compete at the highest level.
Content Creation & Streaming Boom
Different streaming platforms such as Twitch, Kick, and YouTube are proving to be some of the best platforms for gamers to showcase their skills, and these platforms aren’t limited to competitive gamers. Many gamers are simply using these platforms to entertain people and have fun while playing video games, and people actually spend time watching them, which acts as a growth factor for these players.
Gaming content creation has exploded worldwide. Professional esports players like Bugha, Mongraal, Arslan Ash, and Shroud rose from the ground to global fame. They turned their passion into careers. They polished their skills by staying consistent and putting in the work, and, most importantly, sharing their journey with the world.
The truth is anyone can make it big, it’s all about dedication. So, why can’t Pakistanis do the same?
The doors are finally opening for us too, with better internet and platforms like YouTube and Twitch. Making a name for oneself is easier than ever. There's no reason we can't compete on a global level, so if any of you is skilled enough or has a passion for this industry, now is the best time to start because there are so many opportunities right now, but of course, like everything, it definitely will not be easy.
Gaming is Becoming a Social Norm
There was a time when gaming was seen as a complete waste of time. It was considered a distraction from studies or work. Parents would say, “Yeh sab fazool hai, apna waqt mt barbad karo” (This is all useless, don't waste your time), and gaming was never taken seriously. But things have completely changed.
With the rise of esports, streaming, and content creation, people are realizing that gaming is more than just a hobby. It can be a legitimate career. Families are realizing that there is much more to the gaming world than it seems. When they see their children making a name for themselves, making real money by winning tournaments and having worldwide fans cheering for them. They truly start embracing the fact that the way things worked in their time has changed now.
Players like Arslan Ash, who dominated the global Tekken scene, proved that even with limited resources, Pakistani gamers can rise to the top. Others like Sumail Hassan, who made history in Dota 2, and Khan in League of Legends have shown that Pakistan has a lot of talent and, if given the right opportunity, they can become one of the best in the world.
The Golden Era of PC Gaming in Pakistan
PC gaming in Pakistan has never been this good. The days when struggling with high ping, overpriced games, and bad performance were a thing, are now gone. Now, with better internet from providers like Nayatel and Stormfiber, we can actually enjoy online games without feeling like smashing our heads on the screen.
Talking about game prices, you no longer have to sell your kidney to afford them. Regional pricing and crazy sales have made games so much more affordable. And, surely, let’s not forget free-to-play games like Valorant, Warzone, Fortnite, Marvel Rivals, and Call of Duty, which let you hop into high-quality games without spending a penny (finally, a broke guy like me can play games)
Guess what is the best part? Hardware! Of course. Thanks to developers making different video games much more optimizable, ultimately enabling the average Bashir to not beg his father to buy him a new GPU every year. We can simply invest in good hardware once and then use it to play any game for years.
And with esports and content creation on the rise, more Pakistanis are realizing that gaming is not just a “waste of time” anymore. It’s a real career path.
From affordable game prices and an ultra-fast internet connection to durable hardware, everything is lining up for a golden era of PC gaming in Pakistan, but the real question is:
“Are you ready to be part of it and take control of your life?”
If you enjoyed reading this article and you want to dive deeper into the world of gaming to find whether PC is the right choice for you or Console, then I would highly suggest giving PC vs Console Gaming a read as well.
Lastly, as always, Thanks for reading this piece. If you liked (or hated) my writing, either way, please make sure to share your feedback at admin@sknexus.com.
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