Student Data Sheet: Economic value of games
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 The games sector is a major provider of employment in the UK, especially on the development side where a recent report
concluded that there are 9,400 creative staff working in the UK games industry (GIC).
 There are 1,902 video game companies in the UK in 2014 (Nesta, Sept 2014, LINK)
 In 2013, the core UK video games sector (video games made wholly or partially in the UK) supported 12,100 FTEs of direct
employment. This is split into 9,400 FTEs in development, 900 in publishing and 1,800 in retail. (BFI, Feb 2015, LINK)
 Video game development in the UK is spread regionally. Development hubs are located across London and the South East, with
other large hubs located in the East of England, West Midlands and Scotland. Hubs are emerging in the North West and Wales
(BFI).
 The publishing side of games is similarly spread across the UK, although with more of a focus on London and the South East than
the development side of games (BFI).
 When looking at regional distribution of employment in 2013: for development most FTEs are in London (27%), the South East
(21%), the East of England (10%) and West Midlands (10%). For publishing most FTEs are in the South East (32%), London (31%),
the East of England (18%) and West Midlands (7%). (BFI, Feb 2015, LINK)
 Video Games Tax Relief (VGTR) was introduced for games development in April 2014, and the current figures underline that the
games sector in the UK is in a strong position for future growth. The introduction of VGTR is expected to have supported this
growth. A survey conducted for the Game Development Conference in 2014 supports this anticipated future growth, as it showed
that Sweden is currently the leading European game development centre but the UK is anticipated to be in first position within the
next 5 years (PR Newswire).
 The Tax Relief introduced in 2014 will reduce the cost of development activity in the UK by up to 25% and is expected to be worth
£25 million per year for the industry. (TIGA, June 2014, LINK)
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In 2013, the core UK video games sector (video games made wholly or partially in the UK) contributed £755m in direct GVA. This
is split into £639.1m in development, £63.3m in publishing and £53m in retail. (BFI, Feb 2015, LINK)
 Contributing to this economic success is 2013’s biggest hit, Grand Theft Auto V, which was developed in Scotland and which had
sold more than 33 million copies by mid-2014. This generated more than 2 billion US dollars in sales (BFI).
 According to MCV and Ukie, in 2013 video games generated £196.9 million in merchandise sales, including interactive toys
(Skylanders, Amiibos), books, films and children’s spin-off toys and games.
 In 2013 the UK video game development sector was back on track with levels last seen in 2008, with a 7% rise representing a fiveyear high. This was driven by 3 factors: explosion of mobile and tablet devices created a significant market for games and hence
jobs created; surge of small start-up companies following the closure of big console focused studios; Games Tax Relief already
stimulating growth by reducing the cost of making games and incentivising investment and job creation. (TIGA, June 2014, LINK)
 The UK flourishes as a start-up scene for games developers. Over half of the studios in the UK started up in the last four years,
with 338 studios starting up between 2008 and 2012. 83 per cent of all studios that started up in 2011 and 2012 are independent
(as opposed to publisher owned). (TIGA, 2013, LINK)
 Over two-thirds of UK games developers are self-publishing in 2013. (TIGA, 2010, LINK)