Those who remember the 1980s and ‘90s will likely also remember a time when playing video games was considered a niche hobby. However, over the past two decades, gaming in the UK has become a serious business, and the GDP has benefited dramatically.

Whether it’s video games, online play, eSports, or casino gaming, more and more of us are buying and playing games on our devices. You don’t even need a computer or a console to get into some big-name games – and it’s little wonder why there continue to be creative gaming developments popping up across Essex, too.

Convenience and fun

One of the main reasons game design and retail have exploded over the past 20 years is how readily available games are to people with a wide range of tastes. Thanks to the rise of the smartphone, it’s never been easier for people to install apps such as Candy Crush Saga and a whole legion of Angry Birds games.

In addition, online casino gaming has seen a considerable boom. Playing slots and card games online has grown steadily popular on desktop and laptop devices over the years, but it is smartphone play that has really helped to create an explosion of interest.

Thanks to increased regulations governing casino gaming in the UK over the past few years, playing slots online is no longer seen as a niche hobby. Moreover, casino brands are offering fairer and more generous deals than ever before. When looking for new sites to play, these casino offers can be helpful.

Big money

Across Essex and beyond, interest in gaming and the creativity behind some of the most popular titles has really helped support the economy through a few critical years. Even games studios were impacted by COVID-19 furloughs and lockdowns, although more and more of us started playing from home until restrictions were lifted.

The boom in GDP over the years demonstrates gaming’s broad appeal. In 2013, the contributions made to the UK’s GDP by the video games industry was just over £1 billion; in 2023, that figure more than tripled to a staggering £3.6 billion.

That number was a marked increase from the pandemic years, which measured at around £2.2 to £2.8 billion. Is it possible that a post-COVID boom helped bring gaming more into the mainstream for more diverse audiences?

Essex’s role in gaming’s rise

Essex is absolutely becoming a hub for committed gamers, with developments across Brentwood and Basildon, for example, likely to bring new investment in creative pursuits near you.

The development of a “Gaming Warehouse” at the London Brentwood Commercial Park is aimed at board game fans in particular. Many of today’s most popular board games appeal to older generations. As millennials are now in their 30s and 40s, they are setting up successful companies that celebrate the interests of their pasts.

Over in Basildon, there has been some talk of a “Silicon Valley” wave coming for quite some time. Its council has earmarked several disused units for creative spaces. Does this mean we could see the next big gaming and tech entrepreneurs setting up shop here in the future?

Harlow itself has embraced gaming and geek culture in a big way over the past few years, too, as evidenced by the massively popular GriffCon in 2022.

It is clear there is big money – and big hope – in gaming of all shapes and sizes. Let’s see what Harlow and wider Essex have to offer us in the years to come.