How to game like royalty – upgrade from a chair to a gaming throne

Gaming isn’t just a hobby – it’s part of daily life for over 10 million people in the UK. From gearing up for the newest release to all-nighters aiming for 100% completion, more and more of us are getting involved in gaming. Skill, strategy, and setup all matter – but did you know comfort does too?

We’ve partnered up with psychologist Dr Daria Kuss, and physiotherapist Alex Lee, to uncover just how comfort impacts gaming performance.

There are plenty of positive benefits to take from gaming – not least how having a hobby is great for your mental health! – but it should be fun, and not a source of mental or physical strain. We asked Dr Daria and Alex Lee for their top tips on balancing gaming and your health.

To uncover what really makes the ultimate gaming setup, we asked players across the UK about their habits, setups, and performance. The results are clear: preparation for gaming can be the difference between peak performance and pure frustration.

Did you know the average UK gamer spends 10 hours a week in gaming mode? That’s an hour and 40 minutes per day! But according to physiotherapist Alex Lee, when you’re “sitting still for more than 30-45 minutes, your body starts to feel it. Blood flow slows down, your muscles stop working the way they should, and your spine takes extra pressure”. In other words, these long, uninterrupted sessions can, in fact, take a toll. The takeaway? Regular movement and a supportive setup are just as important as limiting your screen time.

When it comes to setups, functionality rules, with 45% of gamers saying theirs simply “does the job”. Nearly 1 in 5, however, are already designing their spaces with comfort and performance in mind!

Whatever their preference, gamers know comfort and performance go hand in hand. That’s why 3 in 5 players believe a comfortable setup directly improves how they play – and 75% of Gen Z say their setup is actively making them better!

Psychologist Dr Daria comments: “Prolonged gaming sessions can negatively impact mood and emotions, particularly if basic needs such as food, hydration, and rest are not attended to. Sitting for extended periods in static postures can create physical discomfort that gradually contributes to irritability, low mood, or mental fatigue. Taking regular breaks helps maintain emotional balance and prevents any negative effects”.

But not So don’t forget to step away from the setup for a cuppa every now and then – your stats will thank you!

So, what makes a top-tier gaming city? Our research shows it’s not just about how many hours people spend playing, it’s about how people play, and this varies across the UK. 

We ranked UK cities against a range of factors – from the optimal weekly gaming time and comfort-focused set ups, to taking breaks, resisting rage quits, and even steering clear of dozing off mid-game. 

Check out the tier list below to discover where gamers are thriving and where there’s room to level up!

UK gamers have a clear idea of their dream gaming setup, and comfort is at the core. While 38% of players we asked said a high-definition TV was the ultimate addition, almost as many craved adjustable seating – because your bum deserves some high-tech treatment, too!

And speaking of high-tech treatment…more and more Gen Z gamers are adding extra features to their dream setup wishlist, looking for footrests, handy cupholders, and tech-forward designs. Lucky for them, we’ve got just the thing.

The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 1,000 gamers on any device (phones, console etc.). The data was collected between 28.08.2025 and 05.09.2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council. All survey statistics provided are rounded to the nearest decimal place. 

Our Gaming Thrones Index ranked UK cities across eight key metrics, from setup quality to comfort and breaks. Each city’s rank is converted into points (1st = 20, 20th = 1), summed, and turned into a percentage (%). A score of 100 means a city consistently tops the charts, while 0 shows it ranks at the bottom across all measures.