After years of meteoric growth, the gaming industry has finally slowed down. Following both an eSports boom and then mobile gaming trends, it seems that the once-fringe world of video games has finally gone mainstream. And when it comes to thriving gaming markets, the UK is ahead by most metrics.
Local gamers regularly spend more than other European countries on the latest video games. From a development perspective, the UK is also ahead thanks to its highly prestigious studios, from Ubisoft to Rockstar. Though based in other countries, their UK offices have contributed to some of the world’s most popular games.
But the reality of the UK’s gaming scene is that it’s nothing new. In fact, the UK’s current gaming movement has been built on a centuries-old interest in gaming. Let’s dive in.
From Social Clubs to Virtual Casinos
Up until the mid-20th century, London was home to dozens of highly exclusive social clubs. While these locations are now remembered for their classic, antiquated design and general prestige, they were also home to casino games like 21 and Baccarat. Though the regulation of these games has changed extensively, the emphasis on casino games remains.
Whether playing at virtual casinos or at brick-and-mortar establishments, casino gaming is still on the radar of many in the UK. Along with popular titles like blackjack and roulette, the UK’s casino scene has also focused on classics like baccarat. Many players were first introduced to the title thanks to a certain international man of mystery: Ian Flemming’s James Bond.
Today, it remains a top choice because the rules are straightforward and the house edge is lower than other games. Given the rise of virtual gaming, most players access original baccarat from a remote device using a casino platform. Some even offer live dealer variations, which connect players to actual dealers who work from remote studios.
Steering Game Development
Let’s fast forward a few decades. By the 1990s, cities like London weren’t only the home of centuries-old social clubs and casinos—there was a strong interest in pivoting toward the digital. Early on, one of the UK’s home-grown video game development studios made a major impact.
Rare Limited was bought out by Microsoft in 2002. Prior to the buy-out, Rare developed three of the world’s most beloved video games. First with Donkey Kong Country (1994), GoldenEye 007 (1997), and a cult hit Conkers Bad Fur Day (2001). The James Bond game, in particular, helped steer the future of video game genres thanks to its first-person shooter perspective and multiplayer mode.
Rare Limited is just one example of the UK’s gaming excellence. Today, the Rockstar North studio is much more well-known. Rockstar North is behind some of the greatest games on the market, including the Grand Theft Auto franchise and Red Dead Redemption series. The former is the second-best-selling video game of all time as of April 2024.
Fostering the Next Gen in eSports
Clearly, the UK has been interested in gaming for a long time and at a high level. But what about the most recent shifts in the gaming industry? At the moment, Rockstar North is working tirelessly on the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6 release, but other UK entities are focused more on the future of eSports.
The UK has become a burgeoning leader within eSports thanks to its boosted gaming infrastructure—not just for developers but also for gamers. Unlike many other countries, the UK has a specific and independent eSports committee. In terms of competitive infrastructure, there are locations like Liverpool’s leveltap eSports-specific venue, along with a training facility for Team Endpoint in Sheffield.
Similarly, the UK is home to some of the world’s most popular teams, including Team Fnatic and certain Team Liquid rosters. Even UK universities have started to focus on eSports, offering programs that focus on competitive gaming and team organisation.
