Ukie, the trade body for the UK’s video games industry, has today launched a major new report, Time to Press Start on Growth, calling on the new UK Government and the devolved nations to implement a series of key policies to secure a £500 million growth opportunity for the sector.
The report provides a powerful, data-backed case for the economic potential of the games industry. For Scotland, it serves as a timely and crucial piece of evidence that reinforces the work already underway to create a dedicated Scottish Games Action Plan.
Ukie’s report outlines a clear set of recommendations focused on unlocking the industry’s potential, including calls for enhanced funding, a focus on skills, and a more supportive regulatory environment. These pillars are in direct alignment with the core recommendations of the Scottish Games Action Plan, which has been in development with the Scottish Government and industry over the last 18 months.
With a devolved government and the foundational work on the Action Plan already complete, Scotland is in a prime position to be the first nation in the UK to implement the kind of cohesive, long-term strategy that Ukie is advocating for.
Brian Baglow, CEO of the Scottish Games Network, the ‘ecosystem builder’ for games in Scotland, said:
Ukie’s Time To Press Start on Growth report is a vital piece of work that provides a powerful, unified voice for our entire industry. We welcome it wholeheartedly and congratulate Nick Poole and his team on their leadership. It provides a robust, evidence-based case that will be invaluable in our own ongoing conversations with the Scottish Government.
The challenges and opportunities identified by Ukie are precisely what the Scottish Games Action Plan is designed to address. By aligning our national ambitions with this UK-wide strategy, we have a clear, collaborative path forward. Scotland is ready to be a key partner in delivering this growth, and our Action Plan provides the practical, evidence-based roadmap to make that happen.
The Scottish Games Network will be using the findings of the Time to Press Start on Growth report to bolster the final version of the Scottish Games Action Plan, demonstrating to policymakers that our national strategy is aligned with the priorities of the entire UK sector and provides a clear path to making Scotland the UK’s first games ‘supercluster’.