UK video game market expected to increase next year, study finds

According to a new study by international games research firm Newzoo, the U.K. video game market is expected to reach £3.6 billion this year, which is slightly less than the £3.7 billion spent in 2010. However, in 2012, Newzoo expects the market to rebound and increase by 2 percent.

Overall, 52 percent of the U.K. population spends money on video games in some form.

More U.K. consumers are purchasing games through the internet and making purchases through online payment gateways. Overall, internet, mobile and downloadable games are projected to represent nearly 50 percent of U.K. consumer spending, according to the report.

"Compared to the U.S., the U.K. shows a more traditional divide of money spent by consumers, with 56 percent spent on console and boxed PC/Mac games, whereas in the U.S., this figure has dropped to 45 percent," said Peter Warman, CEO and co-founder of Newzoo.

Zumba Fitness from the 505 Games studio remains the top selling game in the U.K. market. According to Train2Game.com, the title has managed to stay atop the charts for three consecutive weeks, beating out titles such as Lego Pirates of the Caribbean and L.A. Noire.