Scotland's Games Ecosystem Cluster
On Wednesday 16 September 2026, the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh will host a landmark event: Playable Heritage: Creating a Collaborative Framework for Collecting Video Game Culture. Co-hosted by National Museums Scotland, the National Library of Scotland, the National Videogame Museum, and Ukie, this free, one-day conference represents a major, coordinated attempt to build …
This week, the eyes of the global creative industries are focused on Shoreditch in London as the European edition of South by Southwest takes over the city. SXSW London has quickly established itself as a premier convergence of technology, music, screen, and interactive culture. On Thursday 4 June at 1:35pm, I will be taking the …
Continue reading "The GTA Effect: Grand Theft Auto (& Hamlet) At SXSW London 2026"
For years I have been asking the quesstion: How do we protect, preserve and celebrate Scotland's games heritage? The announcement of the recent videogame heritage PhD studentship in partnership with Abertay University, the University of Glasgow, and National Museums Scotland (NMS) was a massive step forward. Today, that momentum takes another major leap forward. National …
This evening, Thursday 28 May 2026, Dundee’s Biome Collective will host a public sharing of an extraordinary, Creative Scotland-funded residency project: GTMO 441: Games, Detention, Power. Taking place both in person at Abertay University and streamed live online from 5:30pm, the event offers a first look at experimental playable media shaped by the lived experience …
This is a fantastic list. Truly. As I read through The Herald’s 50 most powerful people in Scottish arts and culture (Paywall), I see names that represent the very best of our nation – musicians, producers, actors, and advocates who have fought to keep Scotland’s creative heart beating during some of the toughest years in …
I am delighted to welcome the announcement of a fully funded PhD research studentship, which is now open for applications. Developing a Framework for a National Collection of Scottish Games Heritage is a collaboration between Abertay University, the University of Glasgow, and National Museums Scotland (NMS). This is a significant milestone in our journey to …
The entirely awesome Tinderbox Collective has announced the return of its Room to Play programme for 2026, inviting a new cohort of emerging artists, coders, and game developers to collaborate on interactive experiences and digital performances. The initiative, which sits at the intersection of music, technology, and play, is seeking participants aged 18-26 who are …
As many of you know, I recently joined the board of the British Games Institute (BGI), the charity that runs the National Videogames Museum (NVM). Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to explore the incredible work they do and, crucially, the challenges they face: how to fund an ambitious, national cultural mission in a sector …
Applications are officially open for Split Screen, a pioneering programme led by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) Innovation Studio, that explores how digital innovation and Artificial Intelligence are reshaping theatre, dance, music, and live performance. This five-day programme, supported by the Scottish Government’s Ecosystem Fund, is a perfect encapsulation of the More Than Games …
The Scottish Games Network is delighted at the inclusion of two outstanding Scottish talents, Cara Ellison and Kyle Banks, in the prestigious BAFTA Breakthrough 2025 cohort. BAFTA Breakthrough is one of the industry's most respected talent initiatives, identifying and supporting the next generation of creative stars across film, television, and games in the UK and …