The British video game market has experienced a notable 4.4% contraction, marking a significant shift in consumer behaviour, with boxed video game sales plummeting by 35%. The Entertainment and Retail Association’s latest data values the UK gaming market at £4.6 billion, positioning it between the music industry at £2.4 billion and the TV/film sector at £5 billion.
The dramatic decline in physical game sales reflects evolving purchasing patterns, with boxed games now representing merely 27.7% of new game sales. Market analysts attribute this downturn to multiple factors, including increased consumer comfort with digital downloads, rising subscription service adoption, and the current console cycle’s maturity.
This transformation has severely impacted traditional retail outlets. Game, the UK’s sole remaining specialist video game retailer, has undergone substantial changes since its acquisition by Frasers Group in 2019. The company has ceased in-store pre-orders and second-hand game sales, whilst shifting focus towards merchandise and collectibles.
Digital distribution hasn’t escaped unscathed, with PC downloads declining 5% and console downloads dropping 15%. The subscription segment, however, showed resilience with a 12% growth, while mobile and tablet gaming revenue increased by 2.6%.
The global gaming industry’s contraction has resulted in approximately 15,000 job losses throughout 2024. Industry experts remain optimistic about 2025, anticipating market recovery driven by Nintendo’s next-generation console launch and the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6.
Despite current market challenges, the digital transformation of gaming retail appears irreversible, with physical formats likely to persist primarily as collector’s items in mature markets or in regions with developing digital infrastructure.
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