The United Kingdom Games Industry in Peril
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The Games Industry has always been treated as the illegitimate child of the entertainment sector, neglected by governments and mainstream media outlets alike. In fact, the level of discrimination to the industry is such that Ian Livingstone, Eidos’ creative director and head of acquisitions, remarked how gaming is seen as “one notch up from pornography in the eyes of most of the establishment”.
As the largest entertainment trade in the United Kingdom, the games industry draws in billions every year, yet the bias to the sector is still prevalent. While the nation may have been the origin of such games as Grand Theft Auto, Wipeout and LittleBigPlanet, the industry is threatened by a serious drought in qualified workers and financial support, causing British developer’s such as Realtime Worlds to threaten to leave the nation for Ireland and Canada. Recent statements by the UK’s Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, shed light on how the Government may be able to assist the sector, but only if businesses comply.
During his speech to business heads, at this year’s CBI HE Conference, the Lord touched on some of these issues, calling for more funding to be placed in further education (College and University) by businesses. He claimed that “business has to be central” to funding education, adding:
“Business can and should also contribute more financially for a system that will be more vocational and more targeted on generating economic impact than ever before. But that relationship should clearly be collaborative and mutually beneficial and preferably long term. It is not something for nothing. It’s greater business engagement and support in return for a system that produces the right skills at the right time and which supports product and concept development.”
The British Economy faces an unprecedented decline, which is now beginning to show in the Games Industry
TIGA is the national trade association that represents game developers in the UK and in Europe, with over a hundred members who mainly consist of independent games developers or in-house publisher owned developers. Tiga works to ensure that the UK Government, the Westminster Parliament, the Scottish Parliament, key political parties, civil servants and other interested parties understand the importance, the interests and the needs of the UK video games industry. Now they have issued a statement echoing Lord Mandelson’s call for businesses to support higher education, and so game development.
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9 Responses to “The United Kingdom Games Industry in Peril”
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October 29th, 2009 at 1:04 AM
If I had any sort of talent I’d move there and become a game designer. But I suck so… I won’t
October 29th, 2009 at 2:30 AM
@makai lol. I wish I have my own development company.
People need to understand that gaming is now part of the culture. It is now everywhere. It’s not going to stop and if more people would invest in it, all would benefit.
October 29th, 2009 at 4:47 AM
hello …
the gaming industry has come to a point that it works hand in hand with the cinema industry & both are now so important that should be taken in consideration.
i just hope things get better & one message though & from my the deep of my soul – to Realtime World : Bring US back Stormbirds !!!! Please !!!!! … thank you!
cheers
October 29th, 2009 at 7:19 AM
The UK used to lead the world in computer and software engineering. The Computer Literacy Project reflected that. Then the Government decided we’d be better training people how to use word processors, than how to PROGRAM word processors.
Meanwhile the Indian government bought the BBC Micro production line and started churning out “SCL Unicorn” Beebs… and the rest is history.
Slightly unreliable and overly generalised history of course – I’m British.
October 29th, 2009 at 11:19 AM
what is an SCL Unicorn btw?
and on a related note, aren’t we all just “one notch up” from pornography?
(nudge, nudge & a silly walk added for emphasis)
October 29th, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Can I get a wink, wink with that nudge, nudge, lol
November 4th, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Nice little slip in of “the lord” in the article, made me chuckle.
November 10th, 2009 at 2:58 AM
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