UK Games Industry Begins Recovery, According to New TIGA Survey

Games development, at least in the UK, has begun to turn around according TIGA who performed a survey on the industry for the year 2012. It showed that employment of creative staff rose by 4 percent, from 8,888 in 2011 to 9,224 in 2012 as the total number of studios increased from 329 to 448.

Investment was also up from £16 million to £427 million on an annaul basis with the gaming industry’s contribution UK’s GDP increasing by £35 million to £947 million.

CEO of TIGA Richard Wilson attributed the recovery to the rise of mobile devices, tax relief for game studios and rise in smaller companies for this success. “However, the UK games industry suffered badly during the last four years without Games Tax Relief: developer headcount and investment levels remain below the 2008 peak.

“Additionally, start-up studios are vulnerable. At least 21 per cent of start-ups in 2010 – 12 have already gone under. Our challenge now…is to help build sustainable independent games development and digital publishing businesses.”

TIGE chairman and CEO of Rebellion Jason Kingsley stated that, “The UK games development sector is back on track.

“Mobile and internet based gaming provide opportunities for growth, we have access to a highly skilled and creative workforce, and TIGA’s Games Tax Relief will give a further boost to employment and investment from April 2013. The UK has everything to play for.”