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How remakes and remasters are driving the UK gaming economy

Published

6 years ago

August 11, 2020

George Miller

Reading Time: 4 minutes

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

B2B iGaming

Logifuture Joins Forces with BetConstruct AI to Expand Virtual Sports

Published

3 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

logifuture-joins-forces-with-betconstruct-ai-to-expand-virtual-sports

Logifuture, a leading B2B provider of virtual sports and instant gaming solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with BetConstruct AI, a global iGaming platform powering hundreds of operators worldwide. This collaboration integrates Logifuture’s flagship products, Zoom Sports and Simulate, into BetConstruct AI’s platform, significantly expanding access to innovative engagement tools for operators.

Expanding Global Reach

The partnership enables operators to offer next-generation virtual sports and instant betting solutions, enhancing player activity and generating incremental revenue.

Zoom Sports delivers ultra-realistic virtual football and tennis events in both full-length and turbo formats, offering thousands of daily betting opportunities.
Simulate allows players to instantly simulate the outcome of betslips, removing waiting times and creating immediate engagement.

These tools extend player retention, increase betting activity beyond live events, and create cross-sell opportunities across the BetConstruct AI network.

Innovation at the Core

Both Logifuture and BetConstruct AI prioritize innovation and product differentiation, helping operators stand out in a highly competitive market.

Niccolò Cassettari, Chief Business Development Officer at Logifuture, commented:
“Partnering with BetConstruct AI is a major step forward. Their global reach makes them the ideal partner to scale Zoom Sports and Simulate worldwide. This collaboration is just the beginning of a long-term partnership to deliver new experiences and stronger operator performance.”

Looking Ahead

The partnership will focus on expanding distribution, delivering new gaming experiences, and introducing innovative products to keep players engaged while helping operators grow revenue worldwide.

The post Logifuture Joins Forces with BetConstruct AI to Expand Virtual Sports appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

automated payouts

Infingame Launches Enhanced Tournaments and Challenges for Player Retention

Published

3 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

infingame-launches-enhanced-tournaments-and-challenges-for-player-retention

Infingame, a leading game aggregator, has rolled out major upgrades to its Tournaments and Challenges promotional tools, offering operators advanced ways to engage and retain players.

Instead of introducing new products, Infingame focused on refining its most popular gamification features, enhancing flexibility, performance, and campaign management. These improvements cater to operators increasingly prioritizing long-term player engagement over acquisition.

Enhanced Competitive Tournaments

Infingame’s Tournaments tool transforms regular gameplay into competitive experiences, boosting interaction through real-time progression. Optimized for web and mobile, the tool now allows operators to:

Customize tournaments with brand-specific banners
Segment players for whitelist participation
Add timed promotions like Happy Hours
Select from five tournament formats: bet race, win race, multiplier race, highest multiplier, and highest win

The updated reward system supports monetary and non-monetary prizes, free spins, optional wagering requirements, and automated payouts, reducing operational workload while maintaining campaign flexibility.

Challenges for Mission-Based Engagement

The Challenges tool guides player activity with structured tasks and rewards, creating mission-based engagement journeys. The upgrade enhances flexibility and precision, supporting:

Short-term promotional boosts
Recurring engagement strategies
Daily and long-term challenges for consistent player activity

This approach helps operators sustain engagement across the entire player lifecycle, creating meaningful, repeatable experiences.

Operator-Driven Development

Jana Filagina, Head of Commercial at Infingame, commented:
“The goal wasn’t to reinvent Tournaments and Challenges but to make them more powerful and user-friendly. Operators need tools that drive engagement continuously while keeping operational complexity low.”

Fully integrated into Infingame’s aggregation platform, the updated tools can be deployed instantly across thousands of games via a single API, enabling a unified ecosystem where content, analytics, and engagement mechanics work seamlessly together.

The upgrades reflect a broader industry trend toward gamified, retention-focused strategies, helping operators maximize player activity while simplifying management.

The post Infingame Launches Enhanced Tournaments and Challenges for Player Retention appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Canadian iGaming market

Hugo Casino Teams Up with CasinoCanada to Expand in Canada

Published

4 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

hugo-casino-teams-up-with-casinocanada-to-expand-in-canada

Hugo Casino, a popular online gaming platform operated by Kawaii Partners, has officially partnered with CasinoCanada.com to strengthen its presence in the Canadian market. The collaboration will focus on editorial coverage, analytical reviews, and SEO-optimized content tailored for Canadian players.

Under this partnership, CasinoCanada will produce detailed reviews, comparison guides, and data-driven insights, aimed at delivering transparent, research-based evaluations of Hugo Casino’s platform. The content strategy is designed to attract high-quality, search-driven traffic, helping players make informed decisions while enhancing Hugo Casino’s digital visibility.

Eugene Ravdin, Head of PR at SEOBROTHERS, which operates CasinoCanada, commented:
“Partnering with Hugo Casino aligns with our strategy of working with operators who prioritize compliance, security, and quality user experiences. Hugo Casino has a strong operational foundation and clear product vision. Our goal is to provide objective, data-driven content that drives sustainable long-term traffic and measurable results.”

Hugo Casino operates under a Curacao license and offers a wide portfolio of online entertainment, including slots, table games, and a fully immersive Live Casino. Security is a priority, with advanced encryption safeguarding players’ personal and financial information. Customer support is available 24/7 via Live Chat and email.

Players can access over 10,000 casino games, featuring top titles from leading providers such as Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO, and Yggdrasil. Hugo Casino supports 10 fiat payment options and 12 cryptocurrencies, making deposits and withdrawals simple and convenient.

Kawaii Partners, launched in 2023, also operates Spinzen Casino, expanding its portfolio in the online gaming and affiliate marketing space.

This partnership with CasinoCanada highlights Hugo Casino’s commitment to transparency, high-quality content, and a growing Canadian audience.

The post Hugo Casino Teams Up with CasinoCanada to Expand in Canada appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.