UK Video Games Industry: History to Trends
In the UK, video gaming technology has been around for over 50 years. From the early days of Pong to the more recent gaming success stories of Mortal Kombat, Minecraft, Super Mario, and The Sims, video games have been a popular pastime in British homes. In recent years, there has also been a boom in the number of female gamers. While traditionally, men have dominated this industry, more and more women are taking up their own consoles and competing with their male counterparts.
ESA statistics on the UK video games sector
A recent survey conducted by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) found that 48% of all gamers are women. The ESA is an industry group representing video game producers in Washington DC, and it also researches the gaming world every year. This survey found that women are more likely to play on consoles rather than computer games, with 42% of female players saying they use a console compared to just 34% who prefer the PC platform.
The ESA also identified that many people in Britain would not survive without their video games consoles, with 76% of gamers claiming to game at least once a week. This figure rose significantly among those aged 18-24, with 79% admitting they played video games on their console weekly.
Brits vs Americans
The ESA found that the average American spends around 10 hours a week playing video games like Grand Theft Auto, while the average British gamer spends just 5.6 hours per week on their console or computer system. In terms of gender, women spend an even smaller amount of time gaming than men at 4.7 hrs compared to 6 hr for males aged between 18-34 years old.
The ESA released their annual report that the digital software sales in the computer and digital video games industry, including mobile games, were worth $20.5 billion in 2012. This equates to around four times more than Hollywood box office takings of $4.9bn last year or nearly twice as much as recorded music sales amounting to just under $10bn worldwide for the same year.
The ESA also reported that the average age of gamers in Britain is 35 years old, with 32% between 18-34 and 21% aged over 55. Over half (55%) of all British adults play games on console or computer system at least once per week; this rises to 74% of 18-24-year-olds and then to 77% for 25-29 years old.
Games as a social network in the UK
The ESA also identified that more than half (54%) of British gamers feel video games help them connect with friends. At the same time, three in four adults believe playing computer or console games is a positive activity for family bonding time.
Overall, the ESA’s report paints a picture of Britain as one that is growing increasingly addicted to video gaming and becoming aware of its positive impacts on society. With more than half (55%) identifying it has made them feel happier and 54% claiming they have improved their hand-eye coordination, it seems that video games are here to stay.
The ESA is an organisation that represents the video game industry, and it was set up in April 2000. The association’s members include some of the biggest names from this world, such as Nintendo, Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., Activision Blizzard Inc., Electronic Arts (EA), Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC, and Disney Interactive Studios. It aims to promote the video game industry and educate both parents and children about games to make informed decisions on how much time should be spent playing them.
Major players in the UK games industry
British indie and AAA game studios and titles include The Creative Assembly, Frontier Developments plc (Frontier), Codemasters®, Lionhead Studios Limited and Rare Ltd. These studios and developers are represented by TIGA, which is an industry association that represents the interests of UK games development companies. It works with both government and other organisations to promote awareness of video gaming in Britain on a global scale.
About TIGA’s role in the UK video game industry
TIGA’s members include some of the biggest names in video gaming, including Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd., Nintendo UK Limited and Electronic Arts. The association aims to promote British game development both at home and abroad by highlighting what it believes are its many benefits to society.
TIGA has argued that the video game industry supports more than 18,000 jobs and generates almost £250m of tax revenue for Britain each year. Finding the right casino for you will be difficult with the vast array of games available on the internet; however, with casinomartini, you won’t have to worry because they provide an online casino database of casinos from around the world! You will have access to a curated list of UK casino bonuses, New UK casinos, and UK free spins as a UK player! It also claims games development is a significant export earner, accounting for over 80% of all UK-created interactive entertainment software products sold overseas – one in every £10 of the value of all British interactive entertainment software is created by a TIGA member.
In addition, it claims that games development contributes significantly to the UK’s creative industries and has been named one of Europe’s fastest-growing sectors in recent years – worth over €2bn per year for the UK economy.
The video game industry is one of the most profitable sectors in Britain, and it continues to grow with each passing year. Over half (55%) of all British adults play games on a console or computer system at least once per week; this rises to 74% for 18-24 years old and 77% for 25-29 years old.
With more than half (54%) of gamers claiming to have improved their hand-eye coordination, it seems that video games are here to stay and could help shape the future generations in Britain for decades to come.
Conclusion
Digital gaming has come a long way since the first home video game consoles were launched in Britain. While it is still male-dominated, more and more women are picking up their controllers to play on modern-day systems such as xbox series x vs ps5. This indicates that perhaps this industry will see a gender balance much more like that of society as a whole in years to come.
The video game industry is one of the most profitable sectors in Britain. Each year, it continues to grow, boosted by technological advances such as 3D gaming or online multiplayer support on new consoles from Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd. With over half of all British adults playing games on a console or computer system at least once per week, it seems that video gaming is here to stay and could help shape the future generations in Britain for decades to come.
