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ERA data shows 2017 UK games market almost as large as music and video combined

The most recent UK Consumer Video Games Market Valuation launched in March 2022.  To access the most recent valuation, click here.

The Entertainment Retailer's Association has reported a booming year for the UK entertainment industry, reaching an all-time-high of £7.24bn in 2017. This represents an 8.8% increase in combined music, video and game sales, outpacing growth in the wider enconomy by a factor of more than four.

Video games were once again the key driver of growth, with combined physical and digital sales increasing by 9.6% to a record £3.35bn. Digital games sales provided the majority of growth, up 12.1% to £2.56bn but the perhaps surprising story is a rise in physical game sales, up 2.1% to £792m, driven by the success of flagship titles like 'FIFA 18' and 'Call of Duty: WWII' and Nintendo’s new Switch console. In comparison, 2016 physical game sales declined by 16.4%.

Overall the ERA data shows that the value of the UK games market for home sales almost equals that of music and video combined, comprising 46.3% of the overall value of the sector. 

As usual, the ERA sources physical games sales data via GfK and digital game sales estimates via IHS Markit.

2018 ERA Entertainment Sector Value