Levelling up: Can the next government help the UK games industry?

Andrew Rogers and Tom Richardson from BBC Newsbeat report that voters are set to choose their preferred party on 4 July. While politicians often discuss tax, immigration, and the economy, they rarely mention video games. The UK's games industry is globally respected, employing around 76,000 people and contributing £6 billion annually to the UK economy. However, the industry is currently facing a crisis. Over the past 18 months, thousands of workers worldwide have lost their jobs, and studios have shut down. Big names like Microsoft and Sony have laid off hundreds of staff in 2024, but smaller studios are also struggling. Greg Lee, the founder of Team Terrible, makers of the popular indie horror game The Baby in Yellow, says that investment is drying up, and people are hesitant to take risks. This has heavily impacted many studios.

Team Terrible is based in Dundee, a city with a rich gaming heritage and home to many game developers. The city is known for its strong sense of community among game studios, making it easier to find new talent and grow. The Baby in Yellow has been a huge success for Team Terrible, and the team has benefited from having other industry professionals nearby. However, the gaming industry is currently a 'scary place,' and more support is needed. Fergus Coyne and Jonathan Rodger, both from Team Terrible, believe that the industry is not fully recognized as its own sector and is lumped in with the screen industry, which includes film and TV. This lack of recognition makes it difficult for the industry to feel represented.

Both Labour and the Conservatives mention gaming in their plans for economic growth, but without specific policies. The SNP and Lib Dems want to rejoin the EU's Creative Europe scheme, which could provide funding for studios. Greg Lee believes that more investigation is needed to understand the needs of individual studios. He also thinks that the UK's support for games companies is outdated compared to countries like Canada, leading to a 'brain drain' of talented people moving abroad. Nick Poole, CEO of UK Interactive Entertainment, says that the UK needs to be at the forefront of the changing landscape and that the government should demonstrate its support for the video game sector. He suggests tax reliefs, a 'digital creativity GCSE,' and increased investment in the gaming sector.

Labour's shadow culture, media, and sport secretary, Thangam Debbonaire, says the party would focus on Britain's creative industries, including gaming, to create jobs and boost the economy. The Liberal Democrats call for a proper industrial strategy and serious investment in skills training. The Conservatives and SNP have not yet provided additional details. Greg Lee hopes that the next government will see the value of the games industry and work to boost it. He believes that the UK has the potential to be a powerhouse in the gaming industry, but changes are needed to keep it going into the future.

The UK games industry is facing a crisis, with thousands of workers losing their jobs and studios shutting down. Big names like Microsoft and Sony have laid off hundreds of staff, but smaller studios are also struggling. Greg Lee, founder of Team Terrible, says that investment is drying up, and people are hesitant to take risks. Team Terrible is based in Dundee, a city with a rich gaming heritage and a strong sense of community among game studios. The Baby in Yellow has been a huge success for Team Terrible, and the team has benefited from having other industry professionals nearby. However, the gaming industry is currently a 'scary place,' and more support is needed.

Both Labour and the Conservatives mention gaming in their plans for economic growth, but without specific policies. The SNP and Lib Dems want to rejoin the EU's Creative Europe scheme, which could provide funding for studios. Greg Lee believes that more investigation is needed to understand the needs of individual studios. He also thinks that the UK's support for games companies is outdated compared to countries like Canada, leading to a 'brain drain' of talented people moving abroad. Nick Poole, CEO of UK Interactive Entertainment, says that the UK needs to be at the forefront of the changing landscape and that the government should demonstrate its support for the video game sector. He suggests tax reliefs, a 'digital creativity GCSE,' and increased investment in the gaming sector.

Labour's shadow culture, media, and sport secretary, Thangam Debbonaire, says the party would focus on Britain's creative industries, including gaming, to create jobs and boost the economy. The Liberal Democrats call for a proper industrial strategy and serious investment in skills training. The Conservatives and SNP have not yet provided additional details. Greg Lee hopes that the next government will see the value of the games industry and work to boost it. He believes that the UK has the potential to be a powerhouse in the gaming industry, but changes are needed to keep it going into the future.