The gaming industry in Europe saw fascinating shifts in 2024, driven by digital transformation, changing consumer preferences, and some surprise hits.
Here’s a closer look at the key trends and numbers that defined the year.
Quick Message: Want the real gaming industry scoop? No fluff, just facts. Subscribe & stay ahead: https://reinouttebrake.com/subscribe
Sales Trends in 2024
Total Game Sales Rise Slightly: In 2024, 188.1 million PC and console games were sold across Europe, marking a modest 1% increase from 2023. This growth was driven by digital downloads, which dominated the market.
- 131.6 million games sold via digital stores, a significant 15% rise year-on-year.
- 56.5 million games sold through physical retail outlets, reflecting a steep 22% decline as consumers continue to shift online.
New Releases Struggle: It was a tough year for new game launches:
- Sales of new titles dropped by 21% compared to 2023.
- Only 6 new games made it into the top 20, down from 10 in the previous year.
- New releases accounted for just 27% of total sales, compared to 34% in 2023.
Older Titles Shine: While new releases struggled, older games had a banner year, thanks to strategic discounts, expansions, and media tie-ins:
- Fallout 4 saw a 183% sales jump, fueled by the release of a TV series and aggressive discounting, climbing to №19.
- Elden Ring sales rose 46%, buoyed by its Shadow of the Erdtree expansion.
- Ubisoft’s The Crew 2 surged to №8, helped by a €1 promotional deal.
- It Takes Two, the co-op sensation from EA, saw sales grow 39%, landing at №9.
Top-Selling Titles and Surprises
EA Sports FC 25 Dominates: It’s no surprise that EA Sports FC 25 topped the charts, continuing FIFA’s legacy. However, sales were down 5% compared to last year’s FC 24, hinting at slightly softer demand.
Call of Duty’s Resurgence: 2024 saw Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 reclaim its spot as the second best-selling game in Europe. Sales were 9% higher than 2023’s Modern Warfare 3, despite its inclusion in the Xbox Game Pass (whose downloads are not tracked).
Surprise Hits Among New Releases: Unexpected winners emerged among 2024’s new titles:
- Helldivers 2 (№6 overall) proved to be a breakout hit for PlayStation.
- Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero (№13) and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (№15) outperformed big-name franchises like Star Wars Outlaws (№47) and Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth (№49).
Rockstar’s Evergreens: Despite being years old, Grand Theft Auto 5 (№4) and Red Dead Redemption 2 (№7) continued to dominate, showcasing Rockstar’s enduring appeal.
The Decline of Console Hardware
2024 was a challenging year for the console market, with hardware sales dropping 21% year-on-year. Contributing factors included fewer major game releases and aging hardware:
- PS5: retained its crown as the best-selling console but saw sales fall by 20%.
- Nintendo Switch: sales declined 15%, as the console entered its 8th year on the market.
- Xbox Series X/S: experienced the steepest drop, with sales down 48%.
Key Observations and Industry Insights
Digital Transformation Accelerates
- Digital downloads now dominate game sales, with a 15% growth reflecting a clear consumer shift away from physical media.
Surprise Success Stories
- Titles like Helldivers 2 and The Crew 2 demonstrated the value of strong marketing and promotions, even for smaller franchises.
The Rise of Legacy Games
- Older games like Fallout 4, Elden Ring, and It Takes Two outperformed expectations, proving that expansions, discounts, and cross-media tie-ins can reignite interest.
Challenges for New Releases
- With sales of new games down 21%, developers and publishers face pressure to innovate and stand out in an increasingly crowded market.
Official European Top 20 Video Games (2024)
- EA Sports FC 25 (EA)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (Activision Blizzard)
- EA Sports FC 24 (EA)
- Grand Theft Auto 5 (Rockstar)
- Hogwarts Legacy (Warner Bros)
- Helldivers 2 (Sony)
- Red Dead Redemption 2 (Rockstar)
- The Crew 2 (Ubisoft)
- It Takes Two (EA)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Activision Blizzard)
- Elden Ring (Bandai Namco)
- Mario Kart 8: Deluxe (Nintendo)*
- Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero (Bandai Namco)
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege (Ubisoft)
- Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 (Focus)
- Need for Speed: Heat (EA)
- Super Mario Bros Wonder (Nintendo)*
- Super Mario Party Jamboree (Nintendo)*
- Fallout 4 (Bethesda)
- Metro Exodus (Plaion)
(*Note: Digital data for Nintendo games is not included.)
Conclusion
2024 was a year of transitions and surprises for the European gaming industry. The dominance of digital sales, the resurgence of older titles, and the challenges facing new releases underscore an evolving market. As we look ahead, it’s clear that developers and publishers must adapt to shifting consumer behaviors, leverage digital platforms, and explore innovative ways to capture audiences.
What are your predictions for 2025? Let us know in the comments!
Links to follow:
