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How remakes and remasters are driving the UK gaming economy

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  • With 37.3 million gamers, the UK gaming industry is the biggest in Europe

  • New report finds remastered games to be a driving force behind industry growth 

  • Gaming is more accessible than ever thanks to the rise of mobile gaming

Nineties teens are 69%1 more likely than the national average to spend between 21 and 28 hours gaming every week. And with this age group 47% more likely to have access to a Nintendo Switch, PS4 (42%) and Xbox One (44%), a new report reveals how developers are tapping into this market to drive the UK gaming economy.

From the impact of remakes and remasters, to how digital downloads are changing the industry, online smartphone retailer, Mobiles.co.uk, has taken an in-depth look at how the UK’s gaming industry is evolving.

The study reveals that the UK gaming industry has experienced huge growth in the past 10 years, with retail sales revenue between 2009 and 2019 increasing by a huge 72.6%2. Further insight also reveals that in 2019, the entire UK video game industry generated a huge £5.35 billion1 in revenue, with £3.77 billion3 of that total generated from video game software sales. But with an impressive 37.3 million4 gamers in the UK alone, what exactly is contributing to this growth?

According to Mobiles.co.uk’s report, the trend for remastered games including Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy, Resident Evil 2 and The Legend of Zelda Link’s Awakening, all play significant roles in the growth of the gaming industry here in the UK.

The new UKIE UK Top Selling Games List for 2019 revealed the below remakes/remastered games were amongst the top 100 best selling boxed games sold in 2019, while the more recent Final Fantasy VII remake quickly became one of the PS4’s best selling game to date:

 

Rank

Title

Monthly Search Volume

16

Crash Bandicoot N.SaneTrilogy

6,6005

21

Resident Evil 2

27,1005

32

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

8,1005

 

Still remaining in the top 20 for the UK’s best-selling games of 2019 two years after its release, Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy receives around 6,600 unique searches every month4, its continuing popularity indicates that British gamers are becoming increasingly nostalgic when it comes to their gaming choices.

Crash Bandicoot also features at number 21 in the 2019 list. The remaster spiked the interest of gamers in the UK with a huge 49% increase in search volume over the past 12 months alone5. With an average of 27,100 monthly searches5, the franchise’s decision to reboot this classic was certainly welcomed by the industry, indicating there is a huge appetite for nostalgic gameplay here in the UK.

The final remaster included in the list of the top-selling games is The Legend of Zelda Link’s Awakening. Originally launched on the Game Boy in 1993, the remake was designed for the Nintendo Switch. As of March 2020, the new Link’s Awakening had sold more than four million copies globally6, and it’s one of the best-selling games of all time for the Nintendo Switch.

Lee Chambers, Psychologist and gaming expert, commented on the research: “Gaming and nostalgia are heavily interconnected, to the point where it fuels trends and shapes the industry direction. Video games are incredible triggers for nostalgia, anchoring us back to an often carefree time, when we had fewer responsibilities and gaming became a social construct as groups of children all sat around in a bedroom socialising while playing.

“The reality of the industry is that nostalgic gamers are now the ones with purchasing power to relive past glories fighting dragons of their youth, while being decision-makers for buying games as presents for their children. And that is gradually shaping the industry, risk aversion for the new, settling for the old. Your average early millennial is approaching 40. They don’t have the time they did as a child to form an emotional bond to a game’s story with life’s distractions, but a remake removes that barrier, making it all the more attractive.”

The new study also reveals the impact digital downloads are having on the industry, with over two thirds (70%)6 of the UK’s total video game sales revenue, generating a total of £2.63 billion6, coming from digital downloads. Even more remarkably, 42%6 of this revenue came directly from mobile games, indicating a shift in the industry towards smartphone gaming.

The report indicates that UK gamers are not only changing the way they purchase games but thanks to recent advancements in smartphone technology – including cinematic displays, advanced GPUs and even the introduction of high-speed 5G – they’re also expanding the devices they play on.

With a projected 2%7 compound annual growth rate, the huge surge in the mobile gaming sector is predicted to maintain its momentum in 2020 and beyond. An estimated 21 million people in the UK played a mobile game in 20197, with 19% of users aged 18 to 24, 37% falling in the 25-34 age bracket and 23% aged 35-447.

Andrew Cartledge, mobile expert at Mobiles.co.uk, says “In the UK, and all across the world, there’s no doubt that the gaming industry is growing at a rapid speed. The excitement for the next remake or remaster makes sure there’s still a place for the old, while the huge shift towards digital assures the industry and its consumers can keep up with the new.

“Mobile gaming is already huge in 2020 and will only get bigger in the years to come. If you’re interested in trying out some of the very best mobile games like PUBG and Fortnite for yourself, make sure you have a powerful handset to play on.”

For the full report on the UK gaming industry, mobile gaming, remasters and more, please visit: https://www.mobiles.co.uk/blog/understanding-the-uk-gaming-industry-mobiles-remasters-and-more/#fn1

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Fiona Hickey

Hub88 Enters into Partnership with Games Inc

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Hub88 has further strengthened its aggregation platform through a partnership with Games Inc, delivering the studio’s portfolio, shaped by more than a decade of close collaboration with operators, to its global network.

The deal introduces Games Inc’s range of more than 70 tried and tested titles to Hub88’s partners, including slots and table games, granting access to premium content developed with a focus on performance, engagement and player-first design.

Founded in 2012, Games Inc began as a bespoke slot developer for some of the world’s biggest operators, before transitioning into a fully independent global content provider.

For Hub88’s partners, Games Inc’s rich knowledge translates into a line-up designed with entertainment and high performance in mind. Each release seamlessly combines engaging mechanics, balanced maths, captivating graphics and immersive audiovisual effects for the ultimate experience.

The agreement further strengthens Hub88’s reputation for choosing partners with intriguing content and robust technology that drives success.

Ollie Castleman, Managing Director at Hub88, said: “Games Inc brings a level of experience and deep operator understanding that really stands out to us. They have spent years building custom games meticulously, and this is reflected in how their portfolio performs. Their content is shaped by real-world insight and data, and this will only bring further benefits to our operator network.”

Fiona Hickey, Managing Director at Games Inc, said: “Hub88 is a key partner for us, with their values, way of working and enduring reputation unlocking access to more brands worldwide. Their platform is technically excellent and significantly boosts our reach. We are confident that our style and creative approach will resonate with their partners across multiple global markets.”

The post Hub88 Enters into Partnership with Games Inc appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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The IBJR stresses that combating the illegal market is crucial for Desenrola 2.0

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The Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR) warns that the effectiveness of financial protection measures in Desenrola 2.0 fundamentally depends on a rigorous fight against the illegal betting market.

It is also worth emphasizing that in 2025, bets placed on licensed platforms accounted for the equivalent of only 0.46% of household consumption in the country, an extremely small share within the Brazilian budget, according to data from a study by LCA Consultoria.

This reinforces that the main factor of indebtedness in the Brazilian budget continues to be the high cost of credit.

The entity also emphasizes that restrictions on access to the regulated sector may encourage users to migrate to clandestine platforms, which already move around R$ 40 billion per year and operate without any oversight or consumer protection mechanisms.

Combating the illegal market is the most urgent step to prevent unlicensed operators—often associated with organized crime—from exploiting periods of restriction to attract vulnerable audiences.

This concern is heightened by the proximity of the World Cup, a period of natural increase in the volume of sports betting, and by the potential loss of R$ 10.8 billion in revenue for the country if consumption shifts to the underground market.

The IBJR reinforces that the real protection of citizens and the integrity of Desenrola 2.0 depend on coordinated action between the government and the private sector.

The organization advocates for public policies that combine financial education, strengthening responsible gambling, and a strategic offensive against clandestine websites, ensuring that entertainment occurs exclusively within a safe, transparent, and properly monitored ecosystem.

The post The IBJR stresses that combating the illegal market is crucial for Desenrola 2.0 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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ALT Sports Data

ALT Sports Data Announces a New Partnership with Caesars Entertainment

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ALT Sports Data, a global leader in engagement solutions and official data for emerging sports, has announced a new partnership with Caesars Entertainment. The partnership powers a new, next-generation Formula 1 betting product for Caesars’ sports betting platforms, delivering one of the most advanced wagering experiences ever offered on motorsports across Caesars Sportsbook and William Hill digital and retail platforms.

Caesars Sportsbook and William Hill will leverage ALT Sports Data’s proprietary Formula 1 models, pricing, and real-time data infrastructure to offer a comprehensive and differentiated suite of betting markets. Built on sub-second latency data and hundreds of inputs per car, the platform enables dynamic pricing and continuous market recalibration throughout Formula 1 race weekends.

The product introduces a new category of Formula 1 betting, combining pre-race, in-race, and micro-market opportunities into a single, integrated experience. This includes live race micro markets, predictive driver performance modeling, and large-scale race simulations that generate thousands of possible race outcomes per event, allowing for deeper and more accurate pricing across every lap.

“Formula 1 is one of the most complex and data-rich environments in global sport, and that complexity creates an opportunity to completely redefine the betting experience. Our platform is designed to unlock that potential at scale, and partnering with Caesars allows us to bring a truly differentiated, always-on product to market that reflects the speed, strategy, and unpredictability of Formula 1,” said Joe Dunnigan, CEO and Founder of ALT Sports Data.

“Formula 1 continues to captivate fans with its intensity, strategy, and constant innovation. By integrating ALT Sports Data’s advanced modeling and real-time official data, we’re able to elevate our Formula 1 offering and give customers a more dynamic way to experience every moment of the race weekend,” said Eric Hession, President of Caesars Digital.

In addition to core markets such as race winner and podium finishes, Caesars and William Hill will offer an expanded set of in-play and micro markets, including lap-by-lap driver matchups, fastest segment performance, pit stop outcomes, overtakes, and position-based milestones. These markets are designed to evolve in real time, enabling a true race-within-a-race experience for bettors.

As the Official and Exclusive Betting Data Supplier of Formula 1, ALT Sports Data is building the foundational infrastructure to support the sport’s growing focus on regulated sports betting and fan engagement. With Formula 1 increasing its investment in official betting partnerships and data-driven engagement, the expansion of sophisticated betting products represents a key strategic initiative for the league and its global ecosystem.

The agreement further establishes ALT Sports Data as a key infrastructure partner for sportsbooks and leagues seeking to unlock the next phase of growth in global sports betting through official data, advanced modeling, and real-time fan engagement.

The post ALT Sports Data Announces a New Partnership with Caesars Entertainment appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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