Gaming culture has changed since the 1970s. While the decade is responsible for bringing exciting arcade games to the masses, its popularity resulted in the rise of home video consoles, new technologies, and online gaming, which changed how people play forever.
Despite advancements in technology, gamers of all ages have retained a love for retro titles like Street Fighter and Pacman, helping to bring arcades back to life with some improvements. Also, gaming advancements have resulted in a brand-new industry and are creating an exciting revenue stream for avid and skilled players. Read on to learn more about gaming culture in the UK, from arcades to eSports Arenas.
The Rebirth of the Traditional Arcade
Traditional arcades opened during the late 1970s, providing people of all ages with access to classic games, such as Pacman, Frogger, Asteroids, and Donkey Kong. Unfortunately, UK arcades declined in the late 1990s to early 2000s due to the rise of home consoles and online casino games, which are easy to play once you know poker or blackjack rules.
The good news is that while most arcades from the 80s and 90s have closed, the rise in retro gaming during the 2010s has resulted in new and adapted arcades popping up across the country. For instance, the Arcade Club in Bury, which opened in 2014, provides customers with 300 classic and contemporary games to choose from, making it the largest pinball and video arcade in the UK.
Also, the Four Quarters in Peckham features many restored arcade cabs, which include originals from the 1970s to the early 2000s. Like many modern arcades, customers can even grab a drink, such as a craft beer or a cocktail, which they can enjoy with their friends as they play.
Many modern arcades have opened in major cities across the UK, with many offering more experienced-based gaming experiences. For example, many now provide virtual reality gaming, driving simulators, and shooter games to help people fully immerse themselves in a title.
The Rise of eSports Arenas in the UK
Esports, also known as competitive video gaming, has exploded across the UK, as it is becoming increasingly popular across the gaming community. Nowadays, gamers no longer view the activity as a fun pastime, as many set their sights on becoming professional players.
For this reason, it has become the fastest-growing gaming market, and it is thanks to the release of more innovative, competitive titles, digitalisation, and new technologies, such as high-performance monitors, mice, and keyboards.
It is easy to understand why it is so popular, as eSports tournaments aren’t only one of the most exciting events in gaming, but they provide top teams and individual players with an opportunity to secure a share of a lucrative prize pool.
Many budding and professional esports players, therefore, dream of playing in the biggest and best events, such as League of Legends MSI, Dota 2, or Apex Legends Global Series.
At present, China has the biggest esports market, with the United States and Germany closely behind. However, the esports industry has become big business in the UK, and Statista predicts the market will soon reach $304.39 million.
As many gamers are passionate about the industry, various esports arenas have opened over the past twenty years, and many are based in London. Some of the biggest arenas can be found outside of the Big Smoke, though. For instance, The Dundee Esports Arena, which opened in 2024, has the capacity to accommodate 4,000 people. Also, the Bristol Sports Arena opened its doors for the first time in 2023, welcoming an average of 1,500 people.
There are, however, slightly smaller venues accommodating between 60 to 600 people in London, such as the Esports Arena London, Red Bull Gaming Sphere London, and the Gfinity Arena.
