UK Government launches £30 million Games Growth Package
Stay Informed
Get Industry News In Your Inbox…
Sign Up Today
The UK Government has launched a new £30 million Games Growth Package aimed at boosting the country’s games industry on the global stage.
The scheme will provide £10 million annual over the next three years to support start-up studios. It will expand the UK Games Fund to help young developers and early-stage studios bring their games to market.
A new industry-led UK Video Games Council will also be formed, made up of representatives from across the sector. The group will establish a closer link to decision makers, with the aim to work with the government and the Creative Industries Council to help drive growth for the UK games industry.
Skills gap
Meanwhile, the government hopes to strengthen the skills pipeline and help projects attract match-funding from private investors. A new UK Games Skills Network will be created to publish a strategy for tackling persistent skills gaps and create pathways into the industry.
The London Games Festival also looks set to get a funding boost, with the aim of doubling the value of investments made at the show to £30m per year.
Today’s announcement is part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change aimed at investing into various business sectors and creating jobs. It aims to invest £380m into the country’s creative industries, with £150m earmarked for regional funding. That potentially provides an extra investment boost for games beyond the £30m earmarked nationally for startups.
Pocket Gamer Connects will return to London once again next year, offering an opportunity for the global games industry to come together, network, gain industry insights and sign business deals. It will also provide an opportunity to discuss these latest announcements and check in on their impact.
“National success story”
“The government’s Industrial Strategy will be yet more proof that we are serious about turbocharging the growth of our creative industries, as we deliver our Plan for Change,” said Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy.
“The UK’s video games sector is a true national success story, with iconic titles created in studios from Dundee to Brighton.
“This £30 million investment package will help our talented developers turn brilliant ideas into exciting new games, create high-skilled jobs, secure investment and drive growth across the UK. By backing our games developers with the funding they need, we’re ensuring the next Tomb Raider or Little Big Planet will be made right here in Britain.”
UKIE CEO Nick Poole commented:”On behalf of the UK’s world-leading video game and interactive entertainment sector, we welcome the measures set out today by the Government to supercharge our Creative Industries as part of the Industrial Strategy. Today’s announcement is both a validation of the huge cultural and economic impact of video games and an opportunity to show the world we are open for business.”
TIGA CEO Richard Wilson stated: “The video games industry provides high skilled jobs, is export focused and supports economic growth across the UK. The reinforced UK Games Fund will help more small studios to scale-up and grow, while the funding for London Games Festival will highlight the capital’s position as one of the most significant games clusters in Europe.”
Earlier this year, PocketGamer.biz revealed the Top 50 UK Game Makers for 2025 at Pocket Gamer Connects London. You can see the full list here.
