With such a rich heritage and strengths across all aspects of the entertainment and technology industries, the U.K. is in a unique position to grow a global games business. Not only do we have the early-adopter consumer market to trial new games — there are over 34 million active gamers in the U.K. — but we are also home to all the major companies that are driving the market worldwide.
In fact, the U.K. has the largest games development community in Europe, with over 250 development studios and hundreds more small development teams and freelancers. Together they helped to generate total U.K. games revenue of $ 6.4 billion in 2012, with the mobile, app and MMO segments of the market enjoying particularly rapid growth.
The U.K. government is planning additional tax credits for the games sector, providing a significant boost to games companies developing core software and content in the U.K. Incentives such as these will help ensure the U.K. continues to blaze a trail in one of the world’s most dynamic industries.
Microsoft has officially opened a new games studio in London. Lift London wall will act as an incubator for other studios and focus largely on games for the European market. “We very much believe that Europe is a great opportunity for us” said Phil Harrison, the corporate VP at Microsoft EMEA.
–Simon Sprince, business sector specialist, U.K. Trade & Investment
Find out how U.K. Trade & Investment can help you grow your business in the U.K. by visiting the UKTI website.
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