PC gaming is a $12 billion business and hardware manufacturers have identified SA as a key market for high-end gaming machines.
This is according to Gavin Slevin, Dell SA and developing countries' retail manager, who says the South African gaming community is ready for high-end gaming systems.
Slevin points out that Alienware has identified an $8 billion revenue generating opportunity in the global gaming market.
“We are just scratching the surface of where we are in terms of hardware and game development,” says Slevin. “While sizing the gaming market is very difficult, it's expected about 3.3 million gamers spend more than $2 000 in gaming systems [each].”
Dell Alienware made key announcements at this year's gaming expo, Rage, in Northgate. In addition, Alienware unveiled the Mx11, MX15 and MX17 gaming laptops as well as its desktop range.
Dell acquired Alienware in 2006, and in the early years of the acquisition, there was much criticism from local gamers because it was so difficult to purchase Alienware gaming PCs in SA. However, Dell maintains it has changed its stance and plans to aggressively target the local gaming market.
Slavin adds: “In 2009, Alienware had a footprint in only six countries, and we plan to expand it to 60 countries in the next few years. We expect to sell hundreds of our new laptop units in SA.”
Adrian Thompson, VP of marketing for Sapphire, says the graphics hardware company is leveraging its strong partnership with chipset manufacturer Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) to identify and invest in new market opportunities in SA.
According to Thompson, gaming has not only become a form of home entertainment, but it's providing career opportunities for the South African youth.
“We're seeing more gamers coming from a younger generation that are looking for career opportunities in game development. The Rage expo this year particularly had more technical schools and 3D-modelling animation courses being showcased.”
AMD SA channel sales manager, Jaco Laubscher, says: “What we are starting to see is a bigger uptake in consumers looking for more value out of their entry-level CPU systems. At the same time, we're also seeing increased interest in our high-end systems and the AMD Eyefinity product.”
AMD's Eyefinity demonstration was one of the highlights at last week's expo. The technology enables games to be seamlessly displayed across six screens.
According to Laubscher, the expo is a key local event for AMD to showcase its latest gaming technologies.
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