The Telegraph has posted the latest part of it’s ‘tech map of Britain‘ today, looking at the digital media and technology sectors here in Scotland. It specifically mentions the games sector, speaking to Specialmove’s Andy Campbell, as well as a spokesman from Rockstar North.
While the article is positive overall and looks at a number of other areas of technology, a couple of its claims are a little unusual. It gives a figure of 100,000 people working within the videogames industry in Scotland, making around £5 billion per year for the Scottish economy:
Indeed, the gaming sector employs around 100,000 people in Scotland, and contributes around £5 billion annually to the Scottish economy.
From smaller companies, such as T-Enterprise, which specialises in funny viral games, to the larger studios, such as Rockstar North, the team behind the Grand Theft Auto franchise, there’s a rich seam of games design talent in Scotland to be mined.
There’s also a lot of investment in the future of the industry. Edinburgh-based Rockstar North is one of the biggest supporters of the Dare to be Digital initiative, a competition run by Scottish games studios and universities to encourage the next generation of games designers.
We’ve already left a comment on the Telegraph site and contacted the journalist, saying this isn’t quite accurate (and asking where those figures came from). Updates when and if we hear anything back…
i note that you think telegraph figures are wrong – would be most grateful if you could tell what the real figures are?
regards
b
Hi Barbara, thank you for getting in touch. I’m not sure where the 100,000 figure came from, but it’s vastly overinflated. There are probably 500-600 people working in the games sector in Scotland. If you factor in the students on games-related courses, then you may be looking at 2000-3000+ but certainly not very much more. The whole digital media sector in Scotland might muster perhaps 5000-6000 people. Does that help? Brian…
yes that is a vast overfinlation.. is there an official figure for the contribution to the economy too.. £5 billion does seem a lot
I don’t know a recent official figure, but I will try to track down the last one which was officially announced. Back with you asap.