Online gaming has taken the world by storm, and recent studies have even shown that, as of 2023, approximately 40% of the global population are online gamers. The United Kingdom is no exception to the gaming craze – but do British people prefer to play on their mobile devices or on a PC? We took a look at the gaming habits of the UK, from the demographics of people playing to the types of games most being downloaded on mobiles and PCs.
The UK Gaming Demographic
The gaming market in the UK is nothing short of impressive, with roughly 26% of adults in the country playing online games in 2022, and over 90% of children between the ages of 3 and 15 doing the same! There are no signs that these numbers will dwindle in the future either; as of last year, the video game consumer market was valued at over £7 billion, which is a substantial increase on previous years.
In terms of age, it is not surprising to know that the age group who are most likely to engage in online gaming are 12-15 year-olds, with 76% reportedly partaking. Those between 16 and 44 years old also have relatively high numbers of gamers, but the percentages steadily decrease with age. For example, 71% of 16-24 year olds play online games compared to 47% of 35-44 year olds.
Gender also has a role in the UK gaming demographic and the technology used to play. A study by Ofcom stated that young boys are much more likely than girls to use a gaming console such as a Playstation or Xbox to play (73% compared to 44%). In general, however, the gender split in British gamers is fairly equal: 47% of video game users are women, and 53% are men.
Types of Games Played in the United Kingdom
The kinds of games that get played in the UK are diverse, but the most popular include subscription-based (like World of Warcraft), multiplayer, casinos, social or casual, or free-to-play with optional in-game purchases (like Fortnite). Some of these categories are better suited to console or PC play, while others have been developed with mobile usage in mind. For example, the top apps in B2C’s selection are only available to download on smartphones, since they are part of a relatively recent genre.
The most recent data, taken from 2022, revealed that the most popular game, in terms of sales, was FIFA 23, coming in at just over 2.5 million units. This will not come as a shock to most, who know the passion the British have for football! Other games that made the most sales in the UK include Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Grand Theft Auto V, and Elden Ring. After looking at the types of games that were purchased, the genre that came out on top was RPG, or action role-playing, which are popular all over the world.
Mobile vs PC
Now for the big question – do the gamers of the UK prefer to play on mobile devices or PCs? As technology develops and the years go by, more people than ever have their own smartphones, as well as tablets or other devices that can be used for gaming. It is less likely that people will also own a PC. Due to this, the statistics concerning children playing online games show that they are much more likely to play using the former than the latter. 54% of those aged 3-15 use tablets, 53% use smartphones, and 31% use PCs. The percentage who game with a computer is still significant but comes in lower than mobile devices.
When it comes to the general adult population, approximately 36% use their mobile phones to game, which makes it the most commonly used device for online gaming. Consoles come in second, and desktop PCs and laptops came in as the least used. Comparing numbers year by year, the number of people who game with their computers reduced by 6%. There are many reasons for this, not least of which being the heightened accessibility of mobile devices and the rising prices of PCs.
Final Thoughts
Although the gaming demographics of the United Kingdom are varied, the devices that the population use to game on are not – the majority of people will pick their smartphone or tablet first when wanting to play a game. This is largely due to the convenience that a mobile device brings, as they can be used whilst on the go and an almost limitless number of games are available to download in seconds. PCs, on the other hand, require a little more effort to game on, and can only be used at home or at an internet cafe or library. Having said this, PCs have longevity and a large number of UK gamers still prefer them, so clearly they are here to stay!
