Multi million pound boost announced for video games sector
The UK Government has announced a £30 million funding initiative for the video gaming industry.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said that the Games Growth package will provide £10 million each year over the next three years when it is announced this week as part of the government's Modern Industrial Strategy.
Nearly 80% of video games developers are located outside London in a national network of creative hubs – with hits such as Tomb Raider, Grand Theft Auto, Little Big Planet and PowerWash Simulator. Scotland's contribution to the industry is strong with development hubs in Edinburgh and in Dundee. Rockstar North based at Holyrood is the studio behind Grand Theft Auto.
This award of funding is part of the Creative Industries Sector Plan being unveiled this week with an Expanded UK Games Fund, enhancing the London Games Festival to strengthen investor partnerships, creating a new Video Games Council to help studios in the UK access the global gaming market and establishing a UK Games Skills Network creating pathways into the business.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: '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. 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.'
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: 'This new funding will help further power up Scotland's standing as a significant player in the global video games industry. The sector is a key part of our Industrial Strategy and already employs thousands of people directly and indirectly, generating hundreds of millions of pounds for our economy.
'As home to some of the world's most successful and influential games, the video gaming industry is central to our Brand Scotland campaign to boost exports and inward investment too, demonstrating that the likes of Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow are a centre of excellence in this cutting edge field as we push into new markets and further strengthen the sector.
'Earlier this year I met the publishers of Grand Theft Auto VI – the most anticipated video game of all time and it's made in Scotland and then sold across the planet.
'With a global reputation for creativity and technical excellence, the established big players – along with smaller studios and start-ups distributed across the country – mean we are well-positioned for future growth and international impact. This UK Government investment boost is central to our Plan for Change to create more jobs across the country and put more money in the pockets of working Scots.'
Rockstar North HQ in Edinburgh PHOTO Wikipedia https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/NT2673_-_Rockstar_North.jpg
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