UK Video Games Council Reveals Members: Larian, Microsoft, UKIE & TIGA
▼ Summary
– The global video game industry generates over $100 billion annually, surpassing combined revenues from film and music.
– The UK government has established a Video Games Council to support growth and innovation in the industry.
– The council will meet twice yearly to advise on maximizing the economic, cultural, and educational impact of UK games.
– Co-chairs include industry leaders Jason Kingsley (Rebellion) and Nick Button-Brown (Outright Games), with diverse industry representation.
– While skeptical of government initiatives, the council’s inclusive selection appears to be a genuine effort to address industry needs.
The UK video games industry continues to thrive as a global powerhouse, generating over $100 billion annually, surpassing both film and music combined. Recognizing its economic and cultural significance, the UK government has established the Video Games Council as part of its broader creative industries strategy. This initiative aims to foster growth, innovation, and international competitiveness within the sector.
Announced in a recent press release, the council will collaborate closely with Sir Chris Bryant, the Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism. Its primary role involves providing strategic guidance twice a year to maximize the industry’s economic, educational, and cultural impact. The council’s formation signals a long-awaited acknowledgment of gaming’s influence, though skeptics question whether biannual meetings can drive meaningful change.
Leading the council as co-chairs are Jason Kingsley, CEO of Rebellion (known for Sniper Elite and Atomfall), and Nick Button-Brown, chair of children’s publisher Outright Games. The roster includes a balanced mix of indie developers, advocacy groups, and major industry players, ensuring diverse perspectives. Representatives from Larian Studios, Microsoft, UKIE, and TIGA highlight the council’s broad reach across development, publishing, and policy advocacy.
While the selection appears well-intentioned, the real test lies in execution. Past government engagements with the gaming community, like the ill-fated Tory Discord server, have faced criticism. Still, the inclusion of both grassroots studios and corporate giants suggests a genuine effort to address industry-wide challenges. Whether this council can translate dialogue into tangible support remains to be seen, but its composition at least reflects a step in the right direction.
For an industry often overlooked in policy discussions, the council’s existence alone marks progress. The focus now shifts to whether these meetings can deliver actionable outcomes or become another bureaucratic exercise. With gaming’s economic clout undeniable, the stakes for getting this right couldn’t be higher.
(Source: PC Gamer)
