‘Survive until 2025’: The U.K. gaming industry fights for the future amid U.S. strikes
The gaming industry is no longer the niche playground of the stereotypical nerd; it’s a universal phenomenon with 3.3 billion gamers worldwide. Video games, from the action-packed Call of Duty to the cerebral Wordle, now engage diverse demographics across all regions and age groups. Yet, despite its booming popularity and projected anticipated $300 billion in revenue by 2028, the global gaming industry is in crisis. Over the past 18 months, more than 20,000 jobs have been lost and numerous studios have shut their doors. Venture capital investments plummeted from $14.6 billion in 2022 to a mere $4.1 billion in 2023. As we navigate through a tumultuous 2024, the industry is bracing itself, hoping to survive until 2025.
The U.K. gaming sector, a beacon of innovation, now grapples with severe challenges. British entrepreneurs lack sufficient support, with private equity and venture capital investments proving inadequate. This financial tightening impacts the entire ecosystem, forcing British gaming companies to look to the U.S. for recovery.
Simultaneously, the U.S. gaming industry is experiencing its own turmoil. The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) initiated a strike on Jul. 26 against major video game companies. The strike, involving around 2,600 workers, focuses on securing protections against the use of artificial intelligence to replicate actors’ voices and likenesses without consent or fair compensation. This movement highlights broader issues of worker rights and ethical technology use, potentially setting precedents that could influence global industry practices.
The impact of this strike is reverberating globally—and the U.K. gaming industry could face harsh repercussions. As American companies tighten their belts and look inward to manage the fallout from the strike, U.K.-based companies might find themselves further marginalized. The shift of capital and talent towards the U.S. could accelerate, as companies seek more stable environments, leaving the U.K. sector vulnerable.
The U.K. must take decisive action to prevent a mass exodus of talent and capital. A radical overhaul of financial support systems is needed, including reinstating the Entrepreneur’s Tax Relief and reintroducing tax-efficient breaks for investors. The government must recognize the strategic importance of the gaming industry and act accordingly. The gaming industry is not asking for handouts, but it needs a stable economic environment and political will to nurture a homegrown industry that punches above its weight globally.
Green Man Gaming has weathered the storm by doubling down on innovation and expanding our social commerce platform to connect more gamers worldwide. Our success could be a blueprint for others. With the right strategy and support, U.K. gaming companies can thrive even in harsh economic climates.
Mergers and acquisitions will be crucial for securing new capital sources and creating opportunities for recovery. Struggling studios will receive needed resources, while companies expanding their portfolios can acquire talented studios at discounted prices. U.S. companies should look across the Atlantic for undervalued studios capable of shaping the gaming landscape for the next decade.
The U.K., a nation of poets, artists, dreamers, and scientists, has the talent to remain a world leader in video games. We must act now to ensure our gaming industry not only survives but thrives until 2025 and beyond. Let’s not squander this incredible advantage through short-sightedness and lack of support.
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