Video Games in the United Kingdom

PRE-COVID-19 PERFORMANCE

In ever-growing connected world, digital software drives strong value sales growth in video games in 2019

In an ever-growing connected world in which consumers are constantly active in digital platforms as mobile access increases its quality, sales of physical games have been decreasing consistently. Digital sales of video games software, however, continues to attract more consumers due to the convenience it provides.

Technology advancements along with highly developed games released with them boost value sales of AR/VR headsets in 2019

AR/VR headsets have undergone somewhat of a shift in the UK market over the last two years of the review period. Remaining a relatively new industry, it has seen an interesting transformation in consumer preferences and the kind of products for which interests peak has overturned in the marketplace.

Nintendo challenges Sony for lead in video games hardware, while Electronics Arts maintains best performance within software in 2019

Despite the lower demand for consoles registered in 2019 and higher gains made by its main competitor Nintendo, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe with its main product, PlayStation 4, maintained its leading position as a provider for gaming-related hardware in the UK. However, PlayStation 4 has been losing ground to its main competitor Nintendo Switch in console gaming.

2020 AND BEYOND

COVID-19 impact

In 2020, sales of video games are now expected to grow by 8% in constant 2019 value terms in light of the impact of COVID-19. This compares to a 9% rise in sales forecast in our 2019 edition of toys and games.

Affected products within video games

Video games software sales, particularly of console games (digital), mobile games and online games, are showing the highest value growth as a result of old and new video gamers’ rising demand during the home seclusion/lockdown period. These categories also are set to account for the highest growth of in-game purchases over the year.

Recovery and opportunities

Video games is set to see a higher constant value CAGR over the forecast period, bolstered by increased demand for AR/VR headsets as VR games are further developed and more widely available, by sales growth for static consoles with the release of new generations from PlayStation and Xbox, and by double-digit growth of console games (digital) and in-game purchases through console games. Growth will be driven by the growing number of consumers taking up video gaming, in addition to the many people that were not particularly interested in video games before the COVID-19-related lockdown period caused them to seek new modes of entertainment, and by the growing the numbers of spectators of e-sports events both live and online.

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