Gaming industry layoffs continue to wreck studios across the globe, and the U.K. is no exception. Alongside redundancies at Turn10 (Forza), Playtonic (Yooka-Laylee) and Ubisoft Leamington (Assassin’s Creed), last week saw massive cuts at Rare, and the cancellation of Perfect Dark.
Out of this darkness comes a small spark of light, courtesy of the U.K. Government. Today, it has announced the formation of the U.K. Video Games Council, which aims to harness some of the country’s most influential figures in gaming to develop strategies to support studios, drive growth, and boost international competitiveness for a sector that’s worth £7.6 billion ($10.34 billion) to the British economy, and the largest of its kind in Europe by employment, with 1,757 studios employing over 28,000 developers.
The Council, announced as part of the Government’s Creative Industries Sector Plan, was created at the request of Sir Chris Bryant MP, the U.K.’s Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism. It will serve as a strategic advisory body, working directly with ministers to develop and shape policies that support the continued expansion of the UK’s games and interactive entertainment industry.
It will be jointly chaired by Jason Kingsley CBE, CEO of Rebellion Games (Atomfall, Sniper Elite), and Nick Button-Brown, Chair of Outright Games, the Video Games Council comprises leaders from across the gaming ecosystem, including Larian (Baldur’s Gate 3), ustwo Games (Monument Valley), and trade bodies Ukie and TIGA.
Prominent names on the council include:
- Emily Bailey (Green-BIT)
- Saad Choudri (Miniclip)
- Charu Desodt (Interior:Night)
- Kirsty Rigden (Futurlab)
- Dave Gould (T2)
- Chris van der Kuyl (4J Studios)
- Donna Orlowski (Chucklefish)
- Nick Poole OBE (Ukie CEO)
- Tara Saunders (Larian)
- Maria Sayans (ustwo Games)
- Tim Varney (Microsoft)
- Dr Richard Wilson OBE (TIGA CEO)
Kingsley said: “This is an important step forward for the UK games industry. For too long, the full potential and impact of our sector have not always been fully recognised, despite our world-class talent, renowned studios, and economic contribution.”
Fellow co-chair Button-Brown added: “The government has shown real support for the video games industry in its Industrial Strategy. There is an amazing opportunity in this commitment to work directly with the industry to boost the competitiveness and growth of the UK video games industry by the Minister for Creative Industries, Sir Chris Bryant MP.
“I look forward to working closely with industry leaders on the Council to ensure the UK remains and builds as a global hub for games development, creativity, and technological advancement.”
