In the year 2024, it was noticed that the UK‘s video game market experienced a decrease, resulting in a drop of about 4.4% or £4.6 billion in revenue, as reported by the Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA). The primary reason for this decline was a significant reduction in the sale of physical games, which fell approximately 35% to reach around £324.4 million.
Last year’s digital game sales dipped slightly, recording £4.29 billion—a decline of 1% compared to the previous year. Here’s how the numbers break down: PC download sales declined by 5%, console downloads dropped by 15%, while mobile and tablet gaming saw a small increase of 2.6%. However, it is worth noting that subscription revenue surged by 12%, suggesting a change in consumer tastes.
In spite of the obstacles faced, the UK’s best-selling video game was ‘EA Sports FC 25’, managing to sell approximately 2.9 million copies. Interestingly, around 80% of these sales were made digitally. The CEO of ERA, Kim Bayley, recognized the market’s sluggishness but underscored that it continues to be a significant player. Additionally, Bayley pointed out that despite the trend towards digital formats, traditional physical games continue to carry worth.
In the future, it’s expected that the industry will experience a resurgence in 2025, driven primarily by significant launches such as ‘Grand Theft Auto VI’ and the upcoming next-gen Nintendo console. Nintendo has announced plans to debut their Switch successor by March 2025, which might spark renewed interest in the market.
The drop in purchases of physical games indicates a larger shift toward digital content usage, driven by elements like ease of access and the growth of subscription-based platforms. Yet, the persistence of physical media implies that it still appeals to a market of consumers who appreciate tangible goods.
To put it simply, despite a tough year for the UK video game market in 2024, there’s optimism due to upcoming major game launches and new gaming hardware. This could stimulate growth and possibly halt the ongoing decline.
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2025-01-08 05:43