Latest News

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

Latest News

Meet N1 Partners at Conversion Conf in Warsaw

Published

6 minutes ago

March 26, 2026

Master Editor

N1 Partners is heading to Conversion Conf Warsaw 2026, one of the key gatherings for affiliate marketing professionals, taking place on April 1–2 in Warsaw. The event will bring together top affiliates, advertisers, and industry experts, creating the perfect environment for networking, deal-making, and sharing insights.

At Conversion Conf, the N1 Partners team is focused on what matters most: building strong partnerships, discussing high-converting traffic opportunities, and closing deals that scale. Whether you’re looking for exclusive offers, fresh GEO insights, or reliable long-term collaboration, this is where conversations turn into results.

As an active sponsor of the event, N1 Partners is also enhancing the on-site experience for attendees. At this hot and dynamic conference, you’ll be able to stay refreshed with branded water bottles, keeping you energized throughout the day. And if you’re looking to step away from the buzz, the N1 branded PSP zone offers a space to relax, recharge, and enjoy a more laid-back atmosphere while staying connected to the community.

What to expect from N1 Partners

A special focus this time is the N1 SEO Traffic Cup — our exclusive competition for SEO affiliates. At the event, attendees can connect directly with the team,and explore the best strategies for their traffic to climb the leaderboard and maximize results.

At Conversion Conf, N1 Partners is all about what actually drives results:

high-quality traffic partnerships
exclusive deals for Tier-1 GEOs
insights into top-performing funnels and conversion drivers

Book a Meeting with Our Affiliate Managers

To make the most of Conversion Conf Warsaw, book a meeting with N1 Partners in advance and discuss partnership opportunities directly on-site.

Vlad – Affiliate Team Lead
Shirin – Affiliate Manager
Victoria – Sokolenko, Affiliate Manager
Aleksandr – Affiliate Manager
Artem – Affiliate Manager

Why meet N1 Partners

Conversion Conf Warsaw is the right place to explore:

14+ casino and sportsbook brands with Reg2Dep up to 70%
Top deals across 10+ Tier-1 GEOs
CPA up to €700 for high-performing traffic, RevShare up to 45% + NNCO for top partners, and hybrid models

If you’re attending Conversion Conf, don’t miss the chance to meet N1 Partners in person.

Let’s talk traffic, deals, and growth.

Be number one with N1 Partners.

4 Scarab Coins

Playson unearths new Mystic Feature in 4 Scarab Coins: Hold and Win

Published

46 minutes ago

March 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

playson-unearths-new-mystic-feature-in-4-scarab-coins:-hold-and-win

Playson, a leading digital entertainment provider, has unveiled a major update to its popular Cleopatra-inspired series with 4 Scarab Coins: Hold and Win. The release introduces a new Mystic Feature, enhancing the classic dual bonus gameplay and offering players fresh ways to win across the reels.

Set against a vibrant Egyptian backdrop, the game features a 5×3 grid of desert dunes under a sapphire sky. Players encounter striking hieroglyphic symbols, shimmering gold coins, and up to four coveted Scarab Coins per spin, which trigger a variety of bonus features when combined with matching-coloured Scarab Pots above the reels.

The revamped Hold and Win Bonus Game now offers three dynamic Scarab Features:

Mystic Feature: Landing Red Scarab Coins reveals up to six additional cells, each hiding random coin values or Jackpot Coins.
Multi Feature: Triggered by Violet Scarab Coins, multipliers of up to 5x are applied to empty cells or existing Multipliers, boosting potential payouts.
Collect Feature: Blue Scarab Coins gather the value of all symbols currently in play, including coins, Jackpots, and other Scarab Coins, maximizing wins.

Adding another layer of excitement, the Royal Scarab Coin can trigger the Royal Bonus Game, expanding the grid to 5×5 and activating one or more Scarab Features simultaneously. Players can collect Scarab Coins across the expanded field, increasing the chance to win significant rewards, including jackpots.

Jackpots form a core part of the gameplay, with 15 cells filled during the standard Bonus Game awarding a 3,000x Grand Jackpot, and completing all 25 cells in the Royal Bonus Game unlocking the Royal Jackpot of 10,000x the bet. Additionally, the Golden Pot Feature randomly transforms into Scarab Coins, further enhancing active features or activating new ones, adding unpredictability and high-intensity gameplay.

4 Scarab Coins: Hold and Win exemplifies Playson’s commitment to evolving its most successful slots while keeping the gameplay experience fresh. The new mechanics are designed with player engagement and retention in mind, offering strategic choices, bonus variety, and big-win potential that appeal to both casual players and high rollers.

Anton Ivannikov, CPO at Playson, said: “4 Scarab Coins: Hold and Win takes a proven performer and injects it with even more energy through the introduction of the Mystic Feature. Combined with the expanded Royal Bonus Game, players can expect richer gameplay, bigger moments, and enhanced win potential throughout. This is a great example of how we continually evolve our top titles to remain competitive in the online casino market.”

Operators can leverage the new mechanics to increase session duration and engagement, making it a compelling addition to their live portfolio.

With 4 Scarab Coins: Hold and Win, Playson continues to prove its ability to innovate and deliver engaging experiences that resonate with global players while driving measurable results for operators.

The post Playson unearths new Mystic Feature in 4 Scarab Coins: Hold and Win appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

5 for 25

Sporting Risk launches Mega Builder, 5-for-25 promotion to ramp up World Cup excitement

Published

46 minutes ago

March 26, 2026

Wladimir P.

sporting-risk-launches-mega-builder,-5-for-25-promotion-to-ramp-up-world-cup-excitement

Sporting Risk, the sports analytics firm focusing on predictive models that create top-tier pricing and betting content, has broadened its product lineup before the World Cup with the introduction of Mega Builder and 5 for 25. Both innovative solutions aim to streamline bet creation and enhance player involvement for operators.

Mega Builder enables players to merge numerous low-odds choices within one match, incorporating combinations from all 11 players on each team or all 22 players on the field. In contrast to conventional multi-match accumulators, Mega Builder focuses the action on a single game, simplifying real-time bets, speeding up settlements, and enhancing engagement as several legs stay active throughout the game.

5 for 25 is a streamlined same-game pick’em product where players select five outcomes for a fixed return of 25 – no calculations, no complexity, just a clear and easy-to-understand proposition. Behind the scenes, a smart selection engine balances variety and correlation controls to ensure compelling, coherent combinations every time.

Andy Phillips, SportingRisk CBDO, commented: “These launches ahead of the World Cup reflect our focus on building intelligent, player-first products that remove friction while delivering commercial value for operators. Mega Builder and 5 for 25 simplify complex mechanics and turn them into engaging, intuitive experiences that players instantly understand.”

The post Sporting Risk launches Mega Builder, 5-for-25 promotion to ramp up World Cup excitement appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.