2023 was a huge year for gaming. There were some big releases, even bigger announcements, and continued growth of this already massive industry. Last year saw the release of long-awaited titles like Hogwarts Legacy, Diablo IV, and Baldur’s Gate 3, as well as remakes and remasters of classic hits like Resident Evil and Dead Space.
And with the new year here, we have another 12 months of exciting gaming developments to keep us occupied and entertained. The gaming landscape is sure to look different this time next year, both across the world and here in Britain.
So what can we expect to see from British gaming in 2024?
Continued Drive to Microtransactions
There has been a huge drive among video game developers and publishers to include more microtransactions in their titles. There have been two complementary factors behind this. The first is that developing and distributing video games has become much more expensive, particularly as players are now accustomed to huge, detailed titles with photo-quality graphics. This has pushed publishers to find new and additional ways to monetise their content.
A few failed attempts in the late 2000s and early 2010s eventually led down the path of selling additional content for games after they were released, giving players the ability to extend the life of the titles they own by adding new features, missions, maps, and weapons.
Over time, this has evolved into the free-to-play model we know today. While some may bemoan it, it’s going nowhere.
Thanks to titles like Candy Crush, Fortnite, and Call of Duty: Mobile, players are coming to expect that they can get top quality games for free. Therefore, as 2024 progresses, we can expect more titles available in the UK to offer players the chance to purchase various types of in-game content. Microsoft’s recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard is likely to accelerate this even further.
iGaming Going Strong
The UK has been a leader in iGaming since the early 2000s. Thanks to its favourable regulatory environment that provides both safety and innovation, British casino players have enjoyed a huge variety of sites offering casino games.
This strong competition in the market has been a benefit to players, as sites like 888 UK run generous promotions to stand out and attract more sign-ups. These offers often come in the form of a match bonus that increases the size of the player’s bankroll, giving them more opportunities to spin reels, roll dice, and bet on hands. This trend will continue into 2024, with no sign of slowing down.
We’re also likely to see a continuation of the trend of branded slot and live games, with casinos signing deals with the IP holders of movies, television shows, bands, and even video games to create unique titles that have a wider appeal.
Grand Theft Auto Mania Will Grow
When Rockstar Games released its first trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI just a few weeks ago, the gaming world was sent into overdrive. A lot has been said about this very small piece of content, with fans of the franchise left with more questions than answers.
The game isn’t scheduled for release until at least 2025. We will, however, begin to get more answers throughout 2024, as the PR team at Rockstar tease us with small snippets of information about their upcoming masterpiece. This will make GTA VI one of the most influential titles of the year, despite it not being for sale.
Meanwhile, Rockstar will also continue pushing its now 10-year-old GTA V. The company appears to have stepped up its marketing efforts in this regard, with more frequent newsletters and a string of new content released for players to purchase via those trendy microtransactions.
With excitement building throughout 2024, big releases by other publishers may be brought forward, so as not to be in the shadow of Rockstar’s giant when it is eventually released. Others may be pushed back, later into 2025, for the same reason.
