The UK video game market experienced a quiet period in July 2024, characterized by a lack of major new releases and a general contraction in both software and hardware sales. Total sales of PC and console games reached 2.35 million units, representing a 2.9% decline compared to the same month in the previous year. The top six best-selling titles were all released prior to 2024, underscoring the limited impact of new software on the market during this timeframe.
Despite the broader market slowdown, EA Sports College Football 25 emerged as a notable performer, entering the charts at number seven. This result is particularly significant given the niche status of American football in the UK, with sales figures more than doubling those of the previous year’s Madden NFL 24 release. EA Sports FC 24 maintained its position as the top-selling game of the month, bolstered by the European Football championships, and recorded a 46% increase in sales volume compared to the performance of FIFA 23 during the same period in 2023.
Hardware performance faced a more pronounced downturn, with console sales dropping 22% month-on-month to approximately 77,000 units, a 30% decrease year-on-year. PlayStation 5 remained the market leader despite a 31% decline in monthly sales, followed by the Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series consoles. In the accessories segment, the PlayStation Portal continued to perform strongly, consistently ranking as the top-selling gaming accessory by revenue since its launch in November 2023. Data for these insights were provided by GfK, covering the UK market through July 2024.