The Scottish Parliament has backed an amendment from Scottish Liberal Democrat culture spokesperson David Green MSP, calling on the Scottish Government to establish regional gaming hubs and a National Games Innovation Centre to support start-ups and share expertise across the sector. The amendment cites recent closures and job losses in the sector, including at Axis... Continue Reading →
First Minister John Swinney has appointed Alyn Smith MSP as the Scottish Government’s new Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education. This is a role which is central to the future of Scotland's games ecosystem and the adoption of the national Games Action Plan. Smith succeeds Ben Macpherson MSP, who stepped down from the ministerial... Continue Reading →
This week, the UK games industry is in Westminster. Meeting politicians. Making the case for investment, recognition and support. It's the right conversation. But in the wrong room. With the wrong map. And the wrong ambition. The UK has a secret weapon. A globally significant, internationally recognised, economically extraordinary capability in interactive technology that is... Continue Reading →
Following the conclusion of the 2026 elections and the formation of the new Scottish Government cabinet, the Scottish Games Network has formally briefed the First Minister and their ministerial team on the immediate economic, cultural, and social opportunities waiting within our national games ecosystem. To ensure absolute transparency and to foster a truly collaborative approach... Continue Reading →
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... Continue Reading →
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... Continue Reading →
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 →
Scottish Enterprise recently published its research into the megatrends and breakthrough technologies reshaping business in 2026. The report is comprehensive, covering Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, and Bio-technology. However, it suffers from a significant - and all-too-common - blind spot. It entirely ignores the games sector. This is not an isolated incident. For several years, the... Continue Reading →
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 →
SGN Pilot Directly Connects Games Education Pipeline To Business Creation Skills 89% Of Delegates At The First Games Student Startup Summit Now ‘More Likely To Start Their Own Business’ Hello World! The Scottish Student Startup Summit, which took place in early March 2026, offers a solution to several critical issues facing the UK’s games industry:... Continue Reading →
