UK Gamers Are Saying Goodbye to Physical Games

In 2024, the UK’s video game market faced a downturn, with revenue dropping by 4.4% to £4.6 billion, according to the Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA). This decline was largely due to a sharp fall in physical game sales, which plummeted nearly 35% to £324.4 million.

Digital game sales also experienced a slight decrease, generating £4.29 billion—a 1% drop from the previous year. Breaking it down, PC download sales fell by 5%, console downloads by 15%, while mobile and tablet gaming saw a modest rise of 2.6%. Notably, subscription revenue grew by 12%, indicating a shift in consumer preferences.

Despite these challenges, the UK’s top-selling game was ‘EA Sports FC 25’, moving 2.9 million copies, with 80% of these sales occurring through digital platforms. ERA’s CEO, Kim Bayley, acknowledged the market’s slowdown but emphasized that it ‘remains a giant’. Bayley also highlighted that, despite the industry’s lean towards digital models, physical games still hold value.

Looking ahead, the industry anticipates a rebound in 2025, fueled by major releases like ‘Grand Theft Auto VI’ and the next-generation Nintendo console. Nintendo has confirmed plans to introduce its Switch successor by March 2025, which could invigorate the market.

The decline in physical game sales reflects a broader trend toward digital consumption, influenced by factors such as convenience and the rise of subscription services. However, the enduring presence of physical media suggests that it continues to cater to a segment of consumers who value tangible products.

In summary, while the UK video game market faced a challenging year in 2024, the combination of upcoming high-profile releases and new hardware is expected to drive growth and potentially reverse the current downward trend.

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