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3 in 10 Brits Have Skipped a Shower or a Meal to Play Video Games in Lockdown
More Brits than ever played video games last year to beat the boredom of staying home, and our third lockdown in 2021 has seen the trend gain even more traction. With games being released on more platforms, and more genres than ever now is an excellent time to be a gamer!
Fresh Student Living took a deep dive into the gaming industry in the UK to see just what an impact Covid has had on gaming.
More than four in ten UK gamers say they’ve been gaming more during the COVID-19 outbreak (43%). Plus, UK gamers now make up over two thirds of the population (67%); six in ten of this group say they play mobile games (52%); a quarter PC games (25%); and three in ten console games (28%).
When the pandemic first put a stop to everyday life, the gaming world expanded with regular players putting in even more time, and new people joining the trend to connect with friends, kill time and indulge in much-needed escapism. As more people picked up controllers, the UK gaming population exploded by a whopping 63%! People reported feeling happier and calmer, with a higher sense of freedom, thanks to how immersive the best video games are.
The Average Gamer Spent the Equivalent of 39 Days Playing Last Year
Games like FIFA 21, Call of Duty, Animal Crossing and Last of Us were some of the most played games of 2020, with 3 in 10 people skipping showers and meals to play uninterrupted. Almost 6 in 10 Brits also admit to losing sleep due to gaming sessions.
Pre lockdown, the average gamer spent around 13 hours a week playing their favourites. This increased by 5 hours during lockdown with Brits spending 18 hours or more exploring new worlds online – that’s equivalent to 39 whole days spent gaming!
The average gamer usually sets aside a conservative 1-3 hours to play, but in the UK, at least 3% of the population confesses to playing for 15 hours or more in one sitting.
What Video Games is Everyone Playing?
Most Played Video Games of 2020 According to Units Sold
FIFA 21 dominated in 2020 as one of the most anticipated games in the UK, with around 14 games selling per second in the UK last year.
- FIFA 21 (2.18 million)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (1.4 million)
- Grand Theft Auto 5 (1.1 million)
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons (800,000)
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (660,000)
- The Last of Us Part II (530,000)
- NBA 2K20 (480,000)
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege (430,000)
More Brits Are Hooked on Video Games
Lockdown has given us all more time to kill, and today the split between male and female video gamers is strictly 50-50. In the UK, 54% of men and women play a game most days, lowering stress and connecting with others being two of the primary motivators.
Multiplayer Games Keep us Connected
With time to kill and social distancing in effect for most of last year, multiplayer games’ popularity soared as more people jumped online to chat and connect. Even ex-gamers again picked up their controllers to join online communities playing games like Call of Duty, Animal Crossing or Fortnite.
Unsurprisingly, lockdown saw most Brits opt for action-packed and interactive genres, with most gamers choosing fighting, action and huge multiplayer Battle Royale games with lots of other players!
Most played genres in 2020
- Fighting – 81%
- Action – 79%
- Massively multiplayer online games – 78%
- Multiplayer online battle arena games – 75%
The Rise of Covideogamers in 2021
Lockdown has massively changed the gaming community across the world. In the UK, younger gamers spend loads of time playing while self-isolating and spend around two hours a month watching other people play online – a pastime that has increased since lockdown began.
The pandemic has also created a whole new subgenre of gamers known as Covideogamers, who exclusively started gaming during lockdown. Compared to 36% of existing gamers between the ages of 18 – 34, Covideogamers now make up 46% of the population in the same age group – 35% of these new gamers have also admitted it’s so relaxing and stress-relieving, they’re going to start playing more, long after lockdown ends!
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Crash Games
Million Games launches Give Me The Money crash game with player-controlled multipliers
Million Games has launched Give Me The Money, a new arcade-style crash game aimed at operators and aggregators, the supplier said on 25 June 2026. The title was announced from Skövde, Sweden.
Set in a carnival-themed environment, the game puts players behind a “money gun” that fires stacks of cash at a target to increase the multiplier. Million Games said progression is not automatic, with players controlling the pace via a FIRE mechanic that increases fire-rate while also increasing the chance of an instant crash event.
The release includes selectable low and high volatility modes, optional auto cashout, and rounds that can end immediately on a crash. Players can cash out at any point before a crash occurs, with Million Games stating a maximum win potential of up to x1000.
“With Give Me The Money, we wanted to build something simple, energetic, and immediately understandable,” said Thomas Nimstad, CEO of Million Games. “The game takes familiar crash mechanics and adds a layer of player interaction that creates a different kind of pressure and pacing.”
Give Me The Money expands Million Games’ portfolio of crash formats, following titles including Chicken X and Temple X. The supplier said the game is now available for operators and aggregators.
The post Million Games launches Give Me The Money crash game with player-controlled multipliers appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Global TV Experts
Global TV Experts launches GTE Pacific ahead of New Zealand licensing
Global TV Experts has launched a New Zealand-focused operation, GTE Pacific, after securing access to nationwide television advertising inventory for licensed online gambling operators entering the country’s newly regulated market. The company announced the move in Auckland on 25 June, 2026.
The launch comes as New Zealand prepares to award up to 15 online casino licences, with licensed operators expected to begin launching later this year. Global TV Experts said competition is already building for early brand visibility and customer acquisition.
Ben Wilcockson, founder of Global TV Experts, said: “The winners in New Zealand will be decided long before the first bet is placed.
“This is a rare opportunity to launch into a regulated market with no established online casino leaders and no entrenched player habits. The operators that build awareness first will have a genuine opportunity to shape the market.
“With only a limited number of licences available and a finite amount of premium television inventory, the race to secure visibility has already started. That’s why we’ve launched GTE Pacific and secured nationwide inventory to help operators maximise their opportunity from day one.”
Global TV Experts said GTE Pacific is backed by its wider network, which it says has more than 15 years of experience supporting regulated gambling operators across more than 50 markets, including assisting partners entering newly regulated markets such as Ontario. The agency said it focuses on television campaigns and supporting operators in navigating advertising regulations.
The post Global TV Experts launches GTE Pacific ahead of New Zealand licensing appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Daniel Cuc
REEVO Announces New Partnership with Penguin King
REEVO has announced a new partnership with Penguin King, an independent game studio recognised for developing high-performing slot content focused on player engagement, retention and long-term value. This collaboration further strengthens REEVO’s aggregation ecosystem, adding a portfolio of distinctive games built around proven mechanics and commercial performance.
Through this partnership, Penguin King’s portfolio is now available on the REEVO aggregation platform, providing operators with seamless access to engaging content through a single integration. The addition reinforces REEVO’s commitment to continuously expanding its aggregation offering with studios that bring innovation, quality and measurable results to operators worldwide.
At the heart of REEVO’s growth is a clear focus on delivering value through content that performs. By carefully curating a diverse network of providers, REEVO continues to build an ecosystem that empowers operators with the tools and content they need to stay competitive in an increasingly dynamic market.
Daniel Cuc, Head of Account Management at REEVO, said: “Partnering with Penguin King is another exciting milestone for REEVO as we continue to strengthen our aggregation platform with content that delivers real value for operators. What stands out about Penguin King is their focus on mechanics that drive engagement and retention, which perfectly aligns with our commitment to offering content that performs. At REEVO, we are building an ecosystem designed to help our partners grow, and adding studios with a strong commercial focus is an important part of that strategy.”
As REEVO continues to expand globally, partnerships like this play a key role in reinforcing its position as a trusted aggregation partner for operators seeking premium content and scalable distribution solutions.
Nora Österlund, Business Development Manager of Penguin King, said: “Penguin King’s growth has been driven by strong content and carefully selected partnerships, and our partnership with REEVO reflects that continued momentum. As we expand our footprint, access to broader distribution and new audiences remains a clear priority. REEVO’s extensive network and efficient aggregation platform make them a highly valuable partner as we continue to scale.”
The post REEVO Announces New Partnership with Penguin King appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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