Scotland aims to boost games sector to more than $1bn by 2030

Scotland intends to grow its gaming ecosystem to more than £1 billion by 2030 as part of an initiative implemented by the Scottish Games Network.

Scotland’s Game Action Plan aims to build the nation into a “games supercluster” and global leader in creative technology.

The Scottish government announced its backing for the initiative back in February 2024, which has been in development for over 18 months. It was put together via a public consultation featuring over 350 individuals and dozens of companies in the gaming sector.

Alongside the £1 billion target, Scotland’s Game Action Plan aims to establish 20 new studios and 50 intellectual properties (IPs) with prototype funding by 2028.

The Game Action Plan will take a “phased, de-risked approach” in establishing a national framework for the games industry, leveraging existing government resources and infrastructure.

It will also target national goals established by the Scottish government, including the National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET), the Scottish Technology Ecosystem Review (STER), and the Digital Economy Skills Action Plan.

The proposed funding models of the Game Action Plan are based on the success of the UK Games Fund and Scotland’s InGAME R&D Centre.

It consists of a “ready-to-implement” strategy with a phased approach, culminating in the establishment of a physical hub as a focal point for the Scottish games sector.

Phase One of the Scottish Game Action Plan is a two-year pilot programme aimed to “establish foundational structures and immediate strategic coherence.”

This includes the appointment of a chief games officer (CGO), an interim funded post to lead a cross portfolio working group for games. They would report to the Chief Entrepreneur of the Scottish government.

The CGO would oversee the delivery of Phase One’s initiatives, which include the Scottish Games Growth Catalyst Pilot Fund and the National Game Skills & Education Forum.

The Catalyst Pilot Fund is a two-stream, £5 million pilot fund modelled on the UK Games Fund, Australia’s Federal Production Fund, and the Victorian Regional Production Fund.

Stream A of the pilot fund would provide grants of up to £50,000 per project for IP incubation. Stream B would provide targeted grants of up to £100,000 per project to support work-for-hire studios competing on the global stage.

As for the National Games Skills & Education Forum, once established it aims to bring together industry leaders, education, and government align curriculum with industry needs. Would use existing educational resources to address skills gaps.

Another recommendation in Phase One includes the Games Enterprise & Sustainability Service, a dedicated programme for on-demand business support and mentorship to new studios, delivered through existing enterprise agencies.

Phase Two focuses on the establishment of the National Games Innovation Centre – a physical hub “providing a focal point for the sector, a catalyst for international investment, and a legacy asset for Scotland.”

The National Games Innovation Centre will only proceed if Phase One is successfully delivered.