December's Supercharged Memo

Last week, I had the privilege of speaking at the House of Lords Select Committee on Communications and Digital. It was a powerful reminder that we are not just an industry of the future; we are shaping the economy of today.?The UK’s games industry holds immense potential to drive transformative growth and innovation, but there are key challenges we need to tackle.

As we look at the potential of AI and broader creative technologies, the opportunity to secure the UK’s position as a global leader in this space is immense. From the success of video games driving ￡6bn GVA annually to transformative tech spillovers into industries like film and architecture, the ripple effects of our sector are profound. But the scale of our ambition demands a commensurate scale of support.

Key to this is ensuring that government programmes align with the realities of creative businesses. Current investment models often fall short of the sector’s specific needs. Too much focus is placed on short-term returns rather than the unique timelines and risks involved in creative technology innovation. By co-designing funding schemes with industry, we can better unlock the potential of businesses that harness AI, game engines, and other createch innovations to deliver both economic value and cultural impact.?

The discussion at the House of Lords also emphasised the importance of a workforce equipped for the future. We must address barriers to scaling talent pipelines, particularly the lack of specialised facilities and training opportunities. These issues are compounded by high employment costs, which can discourage the hiring of the diverse and skilled teams that our sector needs to thrive.

Supercharged, our 5-year strategy, sets out a clear ambition: to make this the most pro-games Parliament in British history.?

As part of our ongoing efforts, we’re advocating for this co-design approach through our response to the industrial strategy consultation. By aligning policy with the specific needs of creative businesses. In tandem, our call for a Digital Creativity GCSE aims to address the skills gap and build a future workforce ready to thrive in the digital economy, ensuring the next generation of talent is equipped with the skills needed to drive forward creative technologies.

AI adds an extra dimension. While it offers extraordinary opportunities, its implementation must be guided by an understanding of creativity’s irreplaceable role in a digital economy. The UK’s ability to remain competitive will hinge on avoiding a narrow focus on technology itself and recognising the broader ecosystem of creativity, talent, and tools that drive sustainable growth.?

The engagement we’re seeing from policymakers, including last week’s Committee discussions, shows that there is genuine recognition of our industry’s potential. But we cannot be complacent. Now is the time to push harder—to advocate for a vision where creative technologies are seen not as niche sectors but as central pillars of the UK’s economic strategy.

- Nick Poole, CEO, Ukie

Recording available here.

Other news

Have your say: Skillsearch have launched an industry wide survey to shed light on salaries and satisfaction in the Games and Interactive sectors. The survey covers demographics, job satisfaction and EDI with the goal of driving positive change in the industry.?Have your say.

There is still time to nominate for the 2025 Ukie Video Games Awards. There is no cost for entry and nominations are open to all eligible companies. Check out the list of categories and get your submissions in today. Submit today.

Creative UK revealed that two transformative programmes - Female Founders & Foundations - designed to support creative companies across the screen industries, are back for 2025. Female Founders and Foundations both provide essential business support and financial guidance for professionals working in film & TV, games, immersive media, animation, and creative technology. Info on how to apply below.?More here.

The making of the Pirate Queen: Singer Studios, known for their innovative storytelling, has launched a new podcast offering a fresh perspective on creativity and gaming. In their debut episode, the team delves into the intersection of games, culture, and cutting-edge technology, sharing insights into their creative processes and the challenges of pushing boundaries in interactive entertainment. You can listen to the first episode on YouTube here and stay tuned for thought-provoking discussions from a studio redefining narrative-driven experiences. Watch and listen.

Campaign corner

The West Midlands is gearing up for an exciting yea as the Government is investing ￡6.75m in the CreaTech Frontiers project boost to develop creative tech businesses specialising in video games, VR, and immersive technologies. This funding will bring together local universities and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) to innovate in multi-platform content creation, including VR, 3D modeling, and animation for live events. This initiative places the West Midlands at the forefront of creative innovation in the UK, promising fresh opportunities for developers, content creators, and immersive tech pioneers.?

Improving the socioeconomic diversity of the games industry:?Shahneila Saeed, Ukie’s Digital Schoolhouse Programme Director, spoke to Barclays Games and Creative about the industry’s unspoken diversity challenge: socioeconomic disparity. Highlighting stark gaps in education and access, the piece looks at how the workforce skews towards those from privileged backgrounds, with many attending selective or fee-paying schools. Ukie’s proposed Digital Creativity GCSE aims to address this, combining arts, science, and technology into a more inclusive curriculum. While still a proposal, it’s a vital step towards unlocking potential across all socioeconomic backgrounds. You can read the full article here.

Featured events?

As we step into 2025, the UK video games industry is set for a busy year filled with key milestones, impactful events, and exciting initiatives. Here’s a month-by-month guide on key dates for your diary. Key dates for 2025 can be found here.

Tuesday 3rd December: FEMPOWERMENT wraps up this year’s Activity Select series with an inspiring focus on empowering women in the games industry. Expect a dynamic panel featuring industry pros and academics, showcases from local developers, and plenty of opportunities to network over food and drinks. Organised in collaboration with Norwich University of the Arts and Fairer Games, with support from Game Anglia and Jagex, it’s the perfect way to celebrate and strengthen the region's games community. Register here.

Wednesday 11th December:?In partnership with Xsolla, this event is running as a free co-working space for game developers, with networking, game showcases and a panel event from 16:30 - 22:30. For game developers of any level and function! Whether you’re a sole developer, a small team of five or a team of 10 who want to work off-site, all are welcome. We strongly encourage developers to also bring their games for others to try. Sign up.