Gaming
The UK Games industry is one of the most cutting-edge and fastest-growing in the world, capable of delivering world-class digital entertainment which is scalable internationally.
The UK Games industry is the 2nd largest in Europe, approximately 37.3 million people in the UK play games (Ukie research).
The UK has a long history of making world-class video games, with over 2,300 companies across the full spectrum of games technologies – from console, mobile and PC, to fast-developing sectors such as VR/AR and Artificial Intelligence employing over 47,000 people.
With the global games market expected to grow to revenues of $180.1bn by the end 2021, the opportunities for the UK Games industry have never been greater. The UK’s digital gaming market in 2019 was worth £5.35bn in sales.
The UK Government provides support to companies in the sector. For example, the UK Games Fund has a value of funded projects at £5.7m since 2015 and the Video Games Tax Relief has supported 1,375 claims and the subsequent productions.
In 2018, games sales eclipsed both music and video combined reaching £3.86bn across phsyical and digital, increasing by 9.1% since 2017.
Gaming in the Thames Valley
Slough and Heathrow (located in Thames Valley) is one of eight games hubs across the UK who in 2019 contributed over £60m in Gross Value Added to their local economies.
Located close to the Guildford cluster of gaming businesses, the Thames Valley is home to truly global computer game companies who have produced some of the most popular content of recent years.
A German global independent developer, marketer and publisher of interactive entertainment software, the company specialises in strategy and simulation games, including ‘Sins of a Solar Empire’ and the ‘Tropico’ series.
Also situated in Windsor is one of the most well-known video game companies in the world, with Pokemon and Super Mario Brothers being their most famous products. Nintendo chose the town as a base for its UK workings, including product management, marketing and operations.
One of Europe’s largest independent game developers, it has had 24 number one hit games, including Alien vs Predator and Sniper Elite. The company now employs 200+ people, the majority of them at its studio base in the Thames Valley. Rebellion collaborates with the University of Oxford, who are right on their doorstep, in particular when hiring graduates and enabling training to include relevant programming skills.
The Japanese giant has its European headquarters in Windsor, within walking distance of the Castle. It set up this office with help from the Department of International Trade and the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Famous for their Lego Star Wars titles and holding the worldwide rights to develop Lego video games, the company was acquired by Warner Bros in 2007. The Group includes the games development studio TT Fusion and TV production company TT Animation.
Bought by San Francisco-based Zyenga for $527m in 2014, over half of its 300+ workforce is located in the Thames Valley. As well as its own impressive portfolio of games, NaturalMotion has provided software for games such as Grand Theft Auto IV and Bioshock Infinite.
A national centre of excellence for the games, visual effects and animation industries, they work with leading employers to develop qualifications, training and courses. This ranges from taster sessions in schools right through to career development training for industry professionals.