The UK is one of the largest gaming markets in the world. Though Germany recently overtook the UK in terms of total revenue from gaming, the industry certainly isn’t in decline in the UK. Domestic gamers are highly involved, from streaming to spectatorship to competitive gaming. The UK is advanced in terms of its gaming infrastructure, which means it’s also producing some of the greatest intellectual and creative forces in the sector.
The UK has long been associated with gaming. Developers have contributed to hits like Grand Theft Auto and GoldenEye 007. Other staples include classic games like Tetris and Super Mario titles. Even the realm of casino gaming has consistently performed well in the UK. Slots pack the biggest punch despite their short form.
In fact, virtual casinos that host slots offer some of the top titles in the world to UK players. These include hits like Big Bass and Rich Wilde, along with Hollywood-calibre selections like The Goonies Megaways and the leading Rick & Morty TV show slot. Clearly, UK gamers are interested in titles great and small when it comes to kicking back.
But the gaming industry is continuing to expand at lightning speed—and there’s always a new big hit on the horizon. Let’s explore some of the most impactful gaming trends that are starting to make waves in the UK.
eSports Pursuits Tighten
If you’ve been following the rise of eSports in any capacity, then you’re aware the industry has plateaued. From an economic standpoint, that might be bad news to investors. But for gamers and their dedicated fans, it’s actually a positive sign. The tightening of the eSports industry means that top leagues and teams have been established—and that key sponsors are now involved.
This signals a lasting stability within eSports. Now that leagues have shown that they can attract hundreds of thousands of viewers year after year, major sponsors are interested in funding the top brands and teams. This means that eSports infrastructure will have the critical funding it needs to continue to grow.
Cloud Gaming Gets Its Wings
The concept of cloud gaming is a popular one. Rather than require gamers to rent or purchase games, they could instead stream them—just like a TV show or movie. Though the technology behind this idea has been slow to evolve, even Netflix is now involved with the idea. Back in 2023, they began beta testing a cloud gaming feature.
Today, dozens more major brands are involved. There’s Amazon Luna, PlayStation Now, Xbox cloud gaming, GeForce Now, and newcomers like Blacknut and Shadow. At the moment, there isn’t yet an established leader—but gamers are sure to select their favourite in the coming year.
Pexels. Credit Matilda Wormwood. s
Ad Space Expands
The advent of cloud gaming will usher in yet another era in gaming: the ad era. Throughout the rise of mobile gaming, players have lamented costly microtransactions that are critical to the free-to-play movement. Unfortunately for all those burned out by the mini-ads, there are more to come.
Ad space is set to expand across the gaming industry but will be more heavily focused on cloud gaming services. Just like cheaper tiers on music and video streaming platforms, gamers who are willing to watch ads will be charged less for their subscriptions. Those who want to avoid ads will need to fork over a premium payment.
AR Gets a Boost
One of the hottest topics in terms of new tech releases in 2024 has been the Apple Vision Pro AR glasses. Though they’ve been met with both praise and criticism, their release marks a tangible future for the gaming industry: accessible AR gaming. In the past, AR games have relied on clunky mobile technology or VR headsets.
First, the release of the Apple Vision Pro signals that Apple will likely step more firmly into the gaming sector. Second, it provides a roadmap for other developers to acquire AR-ready games and then release them with specialized glasses.
