In terms of entertainment, video games are the current breakout industry. In fact, this pastime has become a modern favourite worldwide. Esports competitions span the globe and include a variety of formats, from mobile to PC to consoles. Meanwhile, gaming has become a spectator sport even on an amateur level, with platforms like Twitch and YouTube Live taking off.
According to a major study from Uswitch on the UK’s gaming scene in 2023, more people are gaming than ever before. A staggering total of 88% of young adults play video games, more than a third of whom play with international opponents located around the globe. The same overview found that the most popular way to game in the UK is with the new Sony PlayStation 5, which saw over 800,000 units shipped around the country last year.
Overwhelmingly, players today are focused on digital titles—which include mobile games. Along with the popularity of consoles like the PlayStation, interest in both mobile gaming and PC gaming has grown. Even gaming accessories (often called peripherals) have started to take off. Last year, console accessories exceeded 9.3 million units sold, while PC gamers bought over 2.3 million accessories.
Clearly, gaming has truly landed in the UK and is here to stay. But what sorts of gaming genres are people most interested in? Keep reading for a breakdown of the top categories.
Virtual Casinos
Let’s focus on one pastime in the UK which includes a love of bingo, amongst other things: casino games. Gamers in the UK gravitate towards casino games just like any other category. Along with classics like bingo, casino fans also target games like slots, blackjack, baccarat, and more. Technology has helped create more interest in this type of gaming thanks to the availability of features like live dealers and customized suggestions.
Additionally, there are websites dedicated to finding and reviewing the very best in UK casinos. For example, if you want free credit to use in the casino, you can shop around for the top platforms that offer this, such as Party Casino and Mr. Vegas. One study from the UKGC in 2021 saw 18% growth from the year before, highlighting the ongoing expansion of this sector.
Platform Games
The idea of virtual casinos taking off might surprise some gamers from the UK. In a similar vein, you might be surprised to learn that platform games are a hugely popular category. Platform games, also written as action or fighting games, include a two-dimensional screen that harks back to the arcade era of gaming. From there, players are tasked with fighting (think Street Fighter) or advancing to a new level by speeding along a course (like the classic Super Mario games).
Keep in mind that these games have evolved, just like casino staples. For example, Cuphead is a 2017 indie platformer that achieved celebrity for being highly unique in terms of visuals and for its incredibly difficult gameplay. Six years later, it remains one of the top platformers on the market.
Casual Titles
Above, we mentioned the rise of mobile games. Back in 2009, Apple introduced the Apple App Store. Since then, mobile games have incrementally improved and gained cult status. In fact, almost everyone has a mobile game they gravitate towards to pass the time with a bit of casual fun.
These include match-three titles like Bejeweled and Best Fiends, along with word and puzzle games like Wordle and Monument Valley. Even simulations like Stone Glass: Lawn Mower Game have millions of players registered around the world.
FPS
Similar to sports simulations (covered below), first-person shooter (FPS) games are some of the most popular in the world. In fact, many gamers may have expected to see this category at the top of the list. Titles like Call of Duty are incredibly popular, proven by Modern Warfare 2’s incredible sell-out success last year.
New releases aside, UK gamers also gravitate toward staples like Apex Legends, Halo Infinite, Rainbow Six Siege, and another new release, DOOM Eternal. One major appeal to these games is the multiplayer aspect, as gamers are able to connect with friends to tackle new challenges together. Other formats instead pair players with strangers, which adds a unique social element.
Sports Simulations
Given the popularity of sport in the UK, it’s no surprise that sport simulations are one of the top categories for gamers. And given the obsession with football, few are surprised to hear that the best-selling video games in the UK are usually FIFA titles. In fact, FIFA 23 outsold its competition by one-third. In 2022, FIFA 23 sold over 2.5 million copies compared to its second-place contender, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, which sold around 1.6 million.
Even the previous instalment, FIFA 22, came in 7th place for total video game sales in 2022, a full year after its original release. According to the same report, Nintendo Switch Sports sold over 360,000 copies, making it the 11th most popular game of the year in terms of sales.