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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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Big Betty Partners

Big Betty Partners Launches the Big Deal Promo for Affiliates

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Big Betty Partners, an iGaming affiliate program operating since 2021, has announced the launch of its new large-scale campaign, Big Deal Promo, designed for both new and existing affiliates working with Tier-1 markets.

Over the past several years, the program has built a reputation as a fast-growing affiliate platform offering flexible monetization models, high-converting brands, and transparent analytics tools that help partners scale their traffic effectively. Working directly with advertisers, Big Betty Partners provides affiliates with multiple cooperation models, including RevShare, CPA, and hybrid structures.

The newly launched Big Deal Promo introduces an additional reward layer to the standard affiliate revenue model. During the campaign, partners continue earning their regular commissions while simultaneously participating in the Big Deal Show rewards campaign, creating a double-benefit structure for traffic monetization.

For new affiliates joining the program, Big Betty Partners is also offering RevShare of up to 65% for the first three months with the promo code BIG-65, providing an additional incentive to start working with the program during the promotional period.

Affiliates can already join BigBetty.io, activate the promotion, and begin accumulating Betty Points through their traffic performance.

How the Big Deal Promo Works

The promotion runs from March 10 to June 1, 2026, giving affiliates several months to test strategies, scale their campaigns, and accumulate Betty Points.

The campaign operates alongside the standard affiliate model. Partners generate FTDs as usual, while each new deposit contributes to their Betty Points balance. These points later determine which rewards affiliates can claim.

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ASO, Influencer, Email, and SMS traffic
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Partners who join earlier gain more time to accumulate points, while affiliates entering later in the campaign can still build a competitive balance through effective traffic strategies.

Markets and Campaign Scope

The Big Deal Promo focuses on Tier-1 markets and includes all projects operated by Big Betty Partners.

Affiliates working with these markets can integrate the promotion into strategies across multiple traffic sources, including:

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Each FTD generated during the promotion adds Betty Points to the partner’s balance, turning performance directly into reward potential.

The campaign includes 100 prize positions, allowing affiliates to exchange their accumulated points for rewards depending on the number of Betty Points they have earned during the promotion.

Throughout the campaign, affiliate managers provide partners with guidance on GEO selection, campaign optimization, and traffic strategies to help maximize results.

What Happens at the Big Deal Show?

The campaign will conclude during the Big Deal Show, streamed live on June 5, 2026, on the official Big Betty Partners YouTube channel.

During the broadcast, the Big Betty team will unveil the full catalogue of prizes available within the promotion. Each reward will correspond to a specific Betty Points value, allowing partners to determine which items they can claim based on their accumulated balance.

The prize catalogue remains undisclosed throughout the campaign, building anticipation until the live reveal.

Following the broadcast, affiliates will be able to exchange their Betty Points through their affiliate managers. The reward exchange window will remain open until June 10, 2026.

Join the Big Deal Promo

Registration for the Big Deal Promo is already open.

Affiliates interested in participating can sign up at BigBetty.io, activate the promotion, and begin accumulating Betty Points while continuing to earn their regular affiliate commissions.

With several months available before the finale, partners have time to test traffic strategies, scale their campaigns, and build their Betty Points balance ahead of the Big Deal Show reveal.

For affiliates looking to combine traditional revenue models with additional incentives, the Big Deal Promo introduces a campaign format built around measurable performance and long-term partner engagement.

The post Big Betty Partners Launches the Big Deal Promo for Affiliates appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Carsten Koerl Founder and CEO of Sportradar

Sportradar Introduces Playradar, Delivering Sports-Data-Backed Casino Content to Operators Around the Globe

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New brand to link sportsbook and casino experiences via exclusive hybrid content.

Sportradar Group AG, a prominent worldwide sports technology firm that develops engaging experiences for sports enthusiasts and bettors, today unveiled Playradar, a specialized brand providing a comprehensive ecosystem of interconnected gaming experiences for international operators. This signifies the subsequent phase in the development of Sportradar’s iGaming operations.

Sportradar has recently appointed Edo Haitin, the former CEO of Playtech Live, to head its iGaming division as part of this expansion. Haitin offers over 20 years of experience in iGaming operations, live casino development, and executive leadership, contributing senior-level knowledge to enhance Sportradar’s iGaming expansion.

Playradar will leverage Sportradar’s live and historical sports data and AV streams, combined with casino games, to create unique, proprietary, hybrid products featuring:

  • Live 24/7 Experience Centre – players will be offered a game and a live stream to watch simultaneously on the same screen, blending sports viewing and gaming for pure engagement or betting real money. This creates a community and opportunities for players to interact in real-time, sharing tips, game preferences and reactions.
  • Live & Historical Streaming Sports/Casino Hybrid Content – transforming real sporting moments into interactive event driven gameplay by blending live and historical sports streaming with casino mechanics to create innovative hybrid gaming experiences. A live prediction product will also be powered by Sportradar’s live data.
  • Premium iGaming Content – virtual sports and a full suite of casino games, from slots and table games to arcade and crash, developed to the highest standards for a positive player experience.

Sportradar is exceptionally poised to expand its iGaming operations by leveraging its current game studio, sports data knowledge, streaming abilities, and worldwide distribution network. The marketing, acquisition, and retention technologies of the company utilize profound understanding of player behavior across both betting and iGaming sectors, strengthening Sportradar’s connections with sportsbook and casino operators globally. Since most of Sportradar’s clients already function in both areas, iGaming serves as an organic pathway to foster sustained monetization and lifetime value in conjunction with betting.

Playradar will function solely in regulated markets, incorporating responsible gaming and integrity into each product it offers. Game launches are planned for 2026, starting in the UK, North America, and Latin America. The complete product lineup will include classic table games, arcade games, slots, and virtual sports.

Carsten Koerl, Founder and CEO of Sportradar, said: “iGaming represents a natural and scalable extension of our business, and a strategic acceleration of our long-term growth roadmap. Playradar content is designed to provide optimized cross-sell between the worlds of sport and casinos, helping operators to increase player value and session length at a time when engagement and retention are key to operational sustainability. In Edo, we have an experienced and proven industry leader to drive the business forward, with the support of a passionate and dedicated team.”

Edo Haitin, EVP of iGaming added: “By combining our unrivalled experience in sports data and live streaming, along with a proven track record of product development, we aim to create hybrid content and gaming experiences to capitalize on the rising popularity of sports casino consumption. We’re uniquely positioned to seamlessly blend live and historical sports events, innovative gaming mechanics, and casino content and have the advantage of being able to distribute games to an already licensed portfolio of operators. I’m incredibly excited to be further strengthening our iGaming business through Playradar and to grow it into a leader in iGaming content, leveraging Sportradar’s existing resources and the highly experienced and skilled team already in place.”

The post Sportradar Introduces Playradar, Delivering Sports-Data-Backed Casino Content to Operators Around the Globe appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Games Global

Games Global and Just For The Win® continue the ghostly adventure in Dark Waters III Power Combo: The Cursed Voyage™

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Games Global, in collaboration with studio partner Just For The Win, has launched Dark Waters III Power Combo: The Cursed Voyage™, the latest entry in its established pirate-themed slot franchise.

The release builds on the success of previous titles in the Dark Waters™ series, introducing new mechanics and enhanced progression systems designed to increase player engagement. As competition intensifies in the online slots market, sequels that evolve proven formulas are becoming a key strategy for suppliers looking to retain player interest.

Set within a supernatural seafaring world, the game features a 6×4 grid with 4,096 ways to win. A central addition is the Sail into Riches progression meter, which guides players through a six-stage journey, unlocking feature upgrades and gameplay enhancements as they advance. This progression-based approach reflects a broader trend in slot development, where layered mechanics are used to extend session time and improve retention.

At the core of the gameplay is the Cash Collect feature, allowing Money Symbols ranging from 5x to 5,000x to land across the reels. Wins are triggered when a Collect symbol appears, creating the potential for high-value payouts.

The game also incorporates a Free Spins mode activated by Bonus Tokens, showcasing the signature Power Combo™ mechanic. This includes features such as Giant Reels, Stack Collect, and Golden Reels, which can combine and upgrade across four levels. At maximum progression, the reel layout expands to a 6×8 grid, offering up to 262,144 ways to win and significantly increasing payout potential.

Additional gameplay depth is introduced through the Diamond Menu, which offers features like Bonus Hunt, Coin Burst, Crew’s Choice, and Captain’s Choice—each providing alternative paths to access or enhance bonus functionality.

Commenting on the release, Edward Eklund, Account Manager at Just For The Win® Studios, said:

“With Dark Waters III Power Combo: The Cursed Voyage™, we wanted to build a sense of progression that players can really feel, where every spin contributes to something bigger.

“Combining that journey with the flexibility of the Power Combo™ mechanic allowed us to create a game that constantly evolves and keeps players engaged.”

David Reynolds, Director of Games Strategy and Partner Management at Games Global, added:

“This latest instalment shows how Just For The Win® continues to refine and elevate a proven concept, building on the strong success of the Dark Waters™ series so far.

“Dark Waters III Power Combo: The Cursed Voyage™ stands out for the way it keeps gameplay fresh while staying instantly accessible. It is a fantastic addition that strengthens what has already been a hugely popular trilogy.”

The release aligns with broader industry trends highlighted by organisations such as the Malta Gaming Authority, where innovation in mechanics and responsible engagement remain central to market growth.

For more on slot development trends, see Europa Gaming’s coverage on Slot Mechanics Evolution and iGaming Game Design Trends.

As suppliers continue to refine successful franchises, releases like Dark Waters III demonstrate how iterative innovation—rather than entirely new concepts—can play a key role in sustaining long-term player engagement in the iGaming sector.

The post Games Global and Just For The Win® continue the ghostly adventure in Dark Waters III Power Combo: The Cursed Voyage™ appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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