London still the biggest and fastest growing video games development hub in the UK

London remains the biggest video games development centre in the UK, according to new research published by TIGA, the trade association representing the games industry.

However, while London is the number one area for games development employment, the TIGA report also demonstrates that games industry talent is dispersed across diverse regions throughout the country, with the sector contributing strongly to the UK economy.

In the 13 months between April 2023 and May 2024, the head count of staff working in video games in the capital grew by 10 per cent to total 5,931 full time and full-time equivalent staff in 584 companies.

As a result, London is the fastest growing games cluster in the UK, adding 540 games development staff between TIGA surveys.

The capital now accounts for 23.4 per cent of the UK games development workforce in total (up slightly from 22.4 per cent a year earlier).

The findings come from TIGA’s definitive report on the state of the UK video games industry, Making Games in the UK 2024, which is based on an extensive survey of UK games businesses, with analysis by Games Investor Consulting.

Games studios in the capital include ustwo games (Monument Valley), Room 8 (Battlefield 2042), Space Ape Games (Chrome Valley Customs) and Curve Games (Human Fall Flat).

The fastest growing clusters in the UK were London (468 new staff), North East (280 staff) and North West (247 staff).

London’s own growth was driven by international games company expansion and some companies starting up with over 15 creative staff from day one.

Five clusters lost headcount between April 2023 and May 2024, East Midlands for the second consecutive year. All areas saw reduced start-up activity, but London (81), South East (48) and the South West (22) added most start-ups.