Physical game sales in the UK fell by 34.5% in 2024 as consumers continue to shift to digital platforms and subscription services.
2024 was a challenging year for the industry, with even digital sales in the UK slipping by 1%. Overall, video game revenue in the UK dropped by 4.4% to £4.6bn in 2024. Digital sales from consoles, mobiles, and PCs brought in £4.29bn.
The ERA says video was the most popular form of home entertainment, with moviegoers and binge-watchers spending more than £5bn on streaming services, Blu-rays, and movie rentals. For the second consecutive year, the video game market has lagged behind the film and video industry in the UK.
2024 saw several high-profile flops, like Skull & Bones, Suicide Squad, and Concord, failing to reach their projected audiences. 2023 saw substantial physical sales of Hogwarts Legacy, and this year, EA Sports FC 25 was the best-selling game in the UK, shifting 2.9 million copies in 2024. ERA notes that 80% of its sales were via digital stores.
“After the breakneck growth of recent years, it is no surprise that the games market has slowed down, but it remains a giant,” said ERA Chief Executive Kim Bayley. “Despite the attractions of digital business models to developers, we believe physical still has a role to play.”
The outlook for 2025 is looking strong, with the possibility of Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto VI and Nintendo’s Switch 2 console expected to boost numbers for the year, bringing in better financial results.
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