UK Games Industry Gets Official Development and Publishing Codes
▼ Summary
– The UK will introduce dedicated classification codes for the video game industry in its 2026 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) framework.
– This change will allow the government, investors, and policymakers to properly measure the sector’s economic scale and impact.
– Previously, the games industry was grouped with broad software categories, which obscured its true value and growth in official statistics.
– The new codes will cover video game development, publishing, and also include specific codes for the esports sector.
– This improved data is intended to lead to better-informed policy decisions and recognize the industry as a major creative and tech success.
A significant milestone has been reached for the British video game sector, as it will finally receive its own distinct classification within the national economic framework. The upcoming 2026 revision of the UK Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system will introduce dedicated four-digit codes specifically for video game development and publishing. This long-awaited change promises to deliver a far more accurate picture of the industry’s substantial economic footprint for government bodies, investors, and analysts.
For many years, official statistics have bundled game companies with broader software and IT categories. This approach has obscured the true scale, financial value, and dynamic growth of the games industry. The new, precise codes will rectify this, ensuring the sector’s contributions are properly measured and acknowledged. Better data leads to better policy, and this is an important structural step in ensuring the UK games industry is recognised for what it truly is: a major creative and technology success story.
The SIC framework organizes business activities using over 600 individual five-digit codes across 21 main sections. Companies can select up to four codes to describe their various operations. The introduction of dedicated four-digit codes for core games industry activities is a foundational upgrade. Furthermore, the esports ecosystem will gain its own set of detailed five-digit codes. This development means the economic impact of esports, from dedicated venues and training facilities to the revenue generated by major tournaments, can be officially quantified for the very first time.
According to industry representatives, this enhanced clarity is crucial. It will allow for more informed decision-making by both businesses and policymakers. With reliable, industry-specific data, assessing the sector’s needs, from skills development to infrastructure support, becomes a more precise exercise. The move is widely seen as formal recognition of the games industry’s maturity and its vital role within the UK’s creative and tech economies. The updated SIC codes are scheduled for publication at the end of March 2026.
(Source: Games Industry)
