Scotland's Games Ecosystem Cluster
The global games market in 2026 is more crowded, volatile, and competitive than ever before. For independent studios and established developers alike, relying solely on consumer retail success is becoming an ever-riskier strategy. That is why I am headed to Brighton this July to deliver a session on how developers can unlock entirely new, sustainable …
Apparently, the Scottish Games Network is officially 21 today. If SGN were a person, that means we are a cool three years past our first legal pint, well over our wild teenage years, and firmly staring down the barrel of responsible adulthood. In games terms, twenty-one years is not just a milestone - it is …
This week, Ukie and OKRE released a landmark report: Building a Unified Framework for UK Video Games Impacts. It is a significant piece of work that arrives at a critical moment for the country's entire games ecosystem. At a time when we are seeing a record-breaking consumer market valuation of £8.76 billion alongside ongoing sectoral …
Project Pathfinder: Last week, the Herald published its list of the 50 most powerful people in Scottish arts and culture. It was an impressive collection of talent - but it was also a perfect snapshot of why the interactive sector remains a 'billion-pound ghost' in our national policy. Despite being one of the most successful …
The Scottish Games Network (SGN) has been officially shortlisted for the Strategic Partner award at the 2026 MCV/Develop Awards. This nomination marks a significant milestone in our journey to transform SGN from a simple news platform into the primary ecosystem builder for the Scottish games industry. However, the 2026 finalists represent a banner year for …
On Thursday evening, I will be taking a seat at the high table of the national political debate. I have been invited to join the National Conversations Tech and AI Hustings, providing a critical opportunity to ensure the games sector is visible at a policy level. The event, which brings together representatives from Scotland’s major …
Continue reading "Putting Games at the Heart of the National Tech Debate"
This week's announcement of a £30 million Games Growth Package by the UK Government marks a significant moment of recognition for the interactive sector. With the doubling of the UK Games Fund (UKGF) to £28.5 million and the introduction of grants up to £250,000, Westminster has finally acknowledged the importance (and potential) of the £8.8 …
Continue reading "What The New UK Government’s £30M Games Funding Means For Scotland"
The growing support for the future of Scotland’s games ecosystem has moved beyond the creative industries. In a significant move for the sector, the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) and The Data Lab have formally aligned with the Level Up Scotland Games Action Plan, highlighting its potential to transform the nation’s digital future. …
Continue reading "The Golden Thread: Digital Health and Data Leaders Back Games Action Plan"
The momentum following the recent Parliamentary debate on Scotland’s games sector is translating into action. The next meeting of the Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Scotland’s Games Ecosystem will take place on March 18th, from 18:00 - 20:00. Interest from across the industry and academia has already been exceptionally high. With the committee room in the …
Continue reading "Scotland’s Games Cross-Party Group – Last Meeting Before 2026 Elections"
The political momentum behind the future of the Scottish games ecosystem has reached an all-time high. Following the publication of the Games Action Plan, the subsequent debate in the Scottish Parliament and the launch of the IES manifesto, the Scottish Liberal Democrats have now formally adopted Level Up: Scotland's Games Action Plan into their official …
Continue reading "Political Consensus: Scottish Liberal Democrats Adopt Games Action Plan Pillars"