Level Up: If you missed the live stream of the Scottish Parliament yesterday, you missed a significant turning point in the ongoing evolution of our industry – with a ministerial commitment to review the action plan “line-by-line” at a future meeting of the cross-party group for Scotland’s games ecosystem.
Building on the foundations laid by Clare Adamson’s 2023 motion, last night’s debate represented a massive step forward in strategic coherence. We saw MSPs from across the chamber champion the Level Up Scotland Action Plan, citing our £151,382 GVA per head and calling for a dedicated Games Supercluster.
A Chamber in Consensus
The debate was led by a powerful opening from Michael Marra MSP, who laid out the undeniable economic and cultural case for the plan. We also heard vital contributions from Clare Adamson MSP, Daniel Johnston MSP, Liam Kerr MSP, Foysol Choudhury MSP and a response from Business Minister Richard Lochhead MSP.
From the “Golden Thread” of games technology to the need for a Chief Games Officer, the Parliament spoke with a level of detail and passion that proves the games sector is now a national priority.
Watch the Highlights
The full video of the debate is now available. We encourage everyone – from studio founders to students – to watch. Hear the consensus for yourself:
WATCH: Members’ Business Debate on the Scottish Games Action Plan
Your Voice is Needed.
While the Parliament has spoken with a unified voice, and the mainstream press has put us on the front pages, we need to continue showing the sector is united behind this plan.
We cannot allow this momentum to be met with silence.
The Minister, Richard Lochhead, has committed to a “line-by-line” review of the Action Plan at the next Cross-Party Group meeting. This is our window of opportunity. We need to show the Scottish Government that it isn’t just a few of us asking for change – it is the entire community.
Level Up: Join the Wall of Support
If you believe in the vision of a £1 Billion games ecosystem, we need you to go on the record today. It takes 30 seconds, but its impact in the halls of power is massive.
Visit the Scottish Games Network website and deave a comment underneath the Games Action Plan documents here.
- Studio Heads: Tell the government why you need better scale-up support.
- Developers: Tell them why you want to build your career in a Scottish Supercluster.
- Students: Tell them why you need a support to help you develop and publish new IP.
- Everyone else: Help the government understand games are far more than the huge consumer market. Games can and will impact your sector, from education to healthcare, from film to fintech.
The Scottish Parliament has opened the door. Now, we as a community must ensure the Government walks through it.
Let’s make our presence undeniable. Let’s make our sector famous.
~Brian