Future of Video Games and Esports - Q4 2024

Future of Video Games and Esports

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Marie-Claire

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“Let’s

Dr Richard Wilson, OBE, CEO, TIGA Page 06

Christopher Meredith SVP EMEA, Xsolla

How video games shape UK mainstream culture and society

Video games are shaping UK mainstream culture while research suggests benefits in literacy, empathy and mental health. They enrich the economy and creative landscape while prioritising player safety.

When Scottish indie developer Blind Owl won ‘Best British Game’ at the 2024 BAFTA Awards for their game ‘Viewfinder’, it marked a significant moment in UK video games. The game combines stunning visuals, compelling storytelling and mechanics into an entirely new cultural experience.

Video games cultural crossover

Video games are big business in the UK; we spent £7.8 billion on games and related activities in 2023–24. However, the real story is how games are crossing over into ‘mainstream’ culture, influencing film, TV and even sports.

Take, for example, the success of Netflix’s ‘Fallout’ series, which attracted 65 million viewers in a fortnight, or the way that HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ deals sensitively with themes of love, loss and LGBTQ+ identity. Over 60% of UK adults and 91% of young people aged 3–15 regularly play games.1

Enriching our understanding

problem-solving and collaboration skills.

UK success in video games creativity

Video games are a new creative medium at the intersection of art and technology. It’s a medium in which the UK leads the world — partly because it draws on our great traditions of creativity and pushing the boundaries of new technology.

British video games are a ‘force multiplier’ for the wider creative industries, too. Spending on media and intellectual property that originated in games rose to more than half a billion in 2023.

Playing video games helps develop creativity, literacy and empathy.

Research produced by the National Literacy Trust2 shows that playing video games helps develop creativity, literacy and empathy. Two-thirds of players (65%) said that games helped them imagine what it would be like to experience the world through someone else’s eyes.

Elsewhere, the landmark ‘Power of Play’ research3 has shown the positive mental and emotional benefits of playing games for creativity,

Maintaining safety and growth

The video games and interactive entertainment industry understands that with this new-found cultural impact comes a responsibility to help players stay safe. Working with the global industry, the UK is leading the way in areas such as privacy and ‘safety by default’ for younger players. With a new generation of talented developers, exciting new games and strong global exports, the UK video games industry is set to make a powerful contribution to the UK economy and our creative and cultural lives.

References

1. More than 60% of people in UK play games - reportThe Creative Industries

2. https://www.digitalschoolhouse.org.uk/news/newresearch-reveals-benefits-of-video-games-for-youngpeople-s-literacy-creativity-and-well-being 3. https://www.videogameseurope.eu/news/global-reportconfirms-social-mental-and-emotional-benefits-ofvideo-gameplay

Project Manager: Ollie Edmonds ollie.edmonds@mediaplanet.com

Content Manager: Angelica Hackett O’Toole | Head of Digital Operations: Harvey O’Donnell Paid

unless otherwise specified

Helping parents and families navigate the world of video games

Parents, families and caregivers can foster healthy digital habits with expert advice, game guides and parental controls to enable safe video games at home.

As technology evolves, so does the landscape of parenting. With video game ownership now a staple in 70% of households, it’s evident that children are playing video games more than ever. Yet, startlingly, 4 in 10 parents admit they haven’t broached the topic of online decision-making with their kids.

Boosting parental video games awareness

Recognising the video games decision-making gap, our mission is to equip parents and caregivers with the tools to engage in active discussions about fostering healthy digital habits. Despite the widespread belief among three-quarters of parents that parental controls are essential for safeguarding children in the video games realm, many have yet to harness their protective potential.

Expert games advice and user-friendly parental controls

Ask About Games is here to empower parents and families to activate these controls. It is readily available on all modern video game platforms. Powered by Ukie and the games industry, it is a resource backed by the video game industry, designed to distil expert advice into digestible insights.

Recognising the time constraints faced by parents, it serves as a one-stop destination for accessing top-notch tips, expert guidance and jargon-free insights into the latest video games landscape. Moreover, it offers a userfriendly guide on configuring parental controls, ensuring families can revel in

games experiences safely and joyfully.

How to support children effectively For parents and caregivers nurturing children playing video games, there are actionable steps you can take to support and guide their passion:

• Share the games experience: Explore Ask About Games’ comprehensive game guides to discover games tailored to your family’s age range and interests, fostering shared enjoyment.

• Implement parental controls: Download the Power Up Pact to agree game time, then leverage Ask About Games’ guidance to configure optimal parental controls tailored to your family’s needs.

• Leverage Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) Ratings: Rely on the content guidelines provided by PEGI ratings to ensure the games your child engages with are ageappropriate and align with your family values.

By embracing these proactive measures, parents, families and caregivers can navigate the realm of video games with confidence, fostering a healthy and enriching digital environment for their children.

WRITTEN BY Bhavina Bharkhada Head of Campaigns, Ukie

WRITTEN BY Nick Poole CEO, Ukie

Men as allies: how to level up the industry for women in games

Despite ongoing efforts, women still only account for 23% of the global industry. To create a fairer and safer place for women in games, men have a vital role to play.

Women in Games is celebrating its 20th anniversary this 2024. We have made great strides in the past two decades. While we remain a micro not-for-profit, we have a global reach and impact, with some 2,000 ambassadors in 77 countries.

Men can advocate for women in games

Despite the impact of our events, campaigns and initiatives — and although women and girls represent 50% of all gamers worldwide — women still make up just 23% of the industry’s workforce. At the same time, they are still facing harassment and even assault online and at industry events. As we often say, the dial is simply not moving. To truly create a fair and safe space for women in games, we need allies. We need men. Men have the power to be a force for good. They shape the culture, set the standards and influence the experiences of everyone in the industry. They can become powerful allies and champions for change within the industry they love.

Beyond awareness: the active ally

Being an ally goes beyond simply nodding in agreement with the need for change. Here are some ways we are suggesting men can step up:

• Amplify women’s voices: Listen actively to their experiences, concerns and ideas. Offer unwavering support; when opportunities arise, advocate for their

Find a games event that invites inclusion, sustainability and diversity

Find out how social responsibility and sustainability are practised at games events, fostering inclusion, environmental action and diversity are crucial in the industry.

Social responsibility and environmental awareness are becoming increasingly important to the events industry. Major events have evolved beyond mere exchange and entertainment hubs to contribute to a more responsible future.

Events provide a platform for social engagement

Creating visibility for social responsibility projects is a crucial first step for events. Platforms like ‘gamescom cares’ exemplify this by supporting issues pertinent to the gaming community, such as climate and environmental protection, aid for those in need, diversity and education. Supported projects benefit from free booth space, allowing them

contributions. Don’t speak over them or interrupt their flow of thought. Promote and champion their work.

• Become an advocate: Educate yourself on the challenges women face within the industry. You could become a Women in Games Ambassador, and attend our events, which will give you a stronger understanding of the challenges facing women.

• Challenge the status quo: Examine the unwritten rules and norms in the industry. Are there ingrained ‘masculine’ traits that contribute to a culture of bias and exclusion? For example, ‘drinks after work’ might not be easy for women with caring responsibilities to attend, which excludes them from important networking time with colleagues.

• Action speaks louder: Words are important, but true allyship demands real action. This could involve intervening when you witness harassment, calling out sexism, actively promoting diversity in hiring practices or mentoring female colleagues.

• These relatively small actions can make a big difference to the women who work in games. The industry is a brilliant place to work — full of creativity and passion. Together, we can make it a fairer and safer one for women.

to connect directly with the audience and raise awareness about their causes.

Step by step towards sustainability

Major events hold the power to inspire climate action among individuals and businesses. Increasingly, these events are adopting measures such as using recyclable materials, solar power and promoting public transport. Community involvement in smaller, impactful measures also garners attention. For example, the ‘gamescom forest’ initiative has expanded to cover over 25,000 m² near Bayreuth, thanks to community financial support. The event also offers vegetarian and vegan food options to help promote inclusivity and sustainability.

Event inclusion and accessibility

Ensuring that events are accessible to all, regardless of physical or mental limitations, is a key consideration. This involves providing barrier-free access and accessible restrooms, as well as encouraging exhibitors to adapt their booths to enhance the experience for individuals with mobility needs. For instance, all exhibitors at gamescom are encouraged to provide ramps at their booths to enable individuals in wheelchairs to access them just as easily.

Events appreciating everyone

Events serve as melting pots where people with shared passions come together, transcending age, gender, sexual orientation, origin or religion. Workshops and panels focused on diversity and inclusion create platforms for dialogue and awareness, fostering an environment of respect and appreciation. Additionally, the inclusion of families and children is vital. Areas like the ‘family & friends area’ at gamescom offer child and family-friendly content, promoting early educational access and highlighting gaming’s role in digital learning.

Sustainability, inclusion and diversity are not mere buzzwords; they are integral to the future of event organisation. By championing these values, the games industry can drive meaningful progress within society.

WRITTEN BY

Marie-Claire Isaaman CEO, Women in Games

WRITTEN BY Tim Endres Director, gamescom, Koelnmesse GmbH

Video games advantages and how to incorporate them into life in a healthy way

While video games can have their downsides, it’s easy to overlook their many positive aspects — including the creativity they display and the different skills they can teach us.

Play is a crucial part of human development. It teaches us about taking turns, fairness and social interaction. “And, of course, we don’t stop playing as we get older,” says Prof Catherine Flick, Professor in Ethics and Games Technology, Staffordshire University. “Although, what we play changes. It might be board games, chess, sports — or video games.”

Video games advantages and accessibility Video games are a unique form of play. They trigger feelings of playfulness and competitiveness yet are something we can do on our own. “Plus, they offer play that we can’t always do in real life, with fantasy elements that take us outside our comfort zones,” explains Prof Flick.

“Video games give us the chance to be the hero and, say, defeat monsters. They’re ‘active’ activities that engage our brains and allow us to try different decision-making patterns. Some even get us physically moving. Plus, they’re easily accessible because mobile games are so prevalent now. In fact, mobile gaming is what the modern industry looks like.”

Measuring the global popularity of video games

Gaming certainly isn’t a niche activity anymore — if it ever was. According to Ukie (UK Interactive Entertainment), the UK video games sector was worth £7.8 billion in 2023. Figures from Statista estimate that the global games market will reach a staggering $282 billion this year.

“A lot of stats show that most people — of all genders — play games these days,” says Prof Flick. “The thing is they don’t consider themselves to be ‘gamers’ because they’re not using a classic console or sitting at their computer. Yet, if they’re playing games on their phones, that’s exactly what they are.”

Ensuring a healthy and positive games experience

Prof Flick highlights the many positive aspects of video games. For one, today’s titles are exceptionally creative. She’s seen this firsthand in the projects designed by her students. “It’s so good to see them working together because that’s how it would be in an independent games studio,” she says.

especially with mobile games, mean that young people can run up massive bills on their parents’ credit cards,” admits Prof Flick. “We certainly have to educate ourselves and our children about online safety and which games are suitable for younger players. Going forward, we’ll see a lot more about the protection of children in the games space, which is so important.”

Playing games safely and responsibly as a family

A lot of stats show that most people — of all genders — play games these days.

However, unlike sports or board games, there are negative connotations attached to video games. Prof Flick puts that down to generational differences. “There’s always been a moral panic about the ‘unknown’,” she says. “I think it’s because some people don’t understand how to incorporate gaming into their lives in a healthy way.”

This does not mean all is rosy in the gaming garden. “In some instances, predatory monetisation techniques,

There are also age-old concerns about too much screen time. “If you spend long periods playing, it could be problematic for your physical health,” warns Prof Flick.

“Depending on your circumstances, it could be problematic for your mental health. You have to work out where the boundaries are between beneficial usage and harmful usage. I always say to parents: ‘Play games yourself, even if it’s just for five minutes’ because if you’ve never experienced it, you’re not in a position to advise your children.”

With the right guardrails in place, games can provide bonding time for families. “On the weekends, we let our four-year-old play an hour of video games,” says Prof Flick. “He’ll fail and fail but keeps trying until he gets good at it. Little children especially need to learn how to lose — it’s a great skill to have. It teaches resilience.

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Staffordshire University

INTERVIEW WITH Professor Catherine Flick Professor in Ethics and Games Technology, Staffordshire University

SPREAD WRITTEN BY Tony Greenway

How industry-ready training gives esports students a competitive advantage

The esports industry is quickly becoming a global gaming phenomenon. Behind the scenes, it needs an army of talent from tournament organisers to broadcast and production crew.

Video game tournaments, once niche, now draw huge crowds and sponsorship, becoming massive entertainment events.

Esports, valued at $4.3 billion in 2024, has transformed from a niche interest to a global phenomenon.

Esports industry training and experience

The players are the most visible ingredient of the esports industry.

However, behind the scenes, there’s enormous talent, including tournament organisers, event managers, content creators, broadcast and production crews, agents and marketing managers.

It’s a sought-after and vocational field, insists Joshua Wales-Ferguson, Interim Course Director in Esports at Staffordshire University, which has run an undergraduate degree in esports since 2018.

“The people on our course need to have passion for this industry,” he says. “Our job is to equip them with a set of specialist and soft skills, so they can develop into the esports role that most interests them.” Among other things, students learn how to manage events, run their own broadcasts using the latest broadcasting tech, and then market their talents to potential employers.

Because extracurricular activities are an important feature of the

course, the university works closely with gaming events companies, such as EPIC.LAN, based in nearby Congleton. “By volunteering to work on real tournaments, students gain invaluable real-world experiences in events management, production and operations,” explains Wales-Ferguson.

Keeping an open mind and exploring career paths

The many and varied skills esports requires are highly transferable to other industries. “For example, if you’re an electronic video systems (EVS) replay operator, you can have a good, highly paid career in esports broadcasting,” says Richard Mortimer, Technical Services Manager at Staffordshire University. “Your skills can also be applied to any type of multi-camera sports broadcast. So, graduates don’t just have to work in the esports industry.”

It’s why Mortimer advises all esports students to keep an open mind about the direction of their careers. “You might start a degree in esports because you enjoy playing video games,” he says. “But, during the course, you could discover that you have a talent for events management — which is a specialist subject in itself — and end up going down a career path you hadn’t previously considered.”

State-of-the-art esports facility expansion

Earlier this year, the university opened a new £2.7 million esports facility on its Stoke-on-Trent campus. This includes a 60-seat arena to hold competitive gameplay events, a multicamera studio and two professional production galleries. “The arena and the smaller studio give us two broadcast spaces where, previously, we only had one,” says Mortimer. “The arena offers a broadcast space with size, scale and an audience element, while the studio is more intimate and can be used for a range of different presentations.”

Industry-ready facilities help deliver industryready graduates

Simulating industry standard experiences in a university setting In production terms, Wales-Ferguson and Mortimer believe students must be exposed to technology — including EVS, media production storage and live video production platforms — that is cutting-edge. “It also fills gaps because there aren’t enough EVS replay operators in the world or individuals who have worked with this level of video-over-IP technology,” says Mortimer.

In May, the facilities hosted a three-day tournament called Campus Clash, organised by final-year esports students. “A live space brings a whole other element to the course,” says Wales-Ferguson. “We had 48 players plus 60 people in the audience roaring at everything happening during the games. Meanwhile, students are involved with stage management, working with the crowds and with the talent — and they’re presenting too. It was everything you could want from an esports event.”

Simulating an experience that is as close to industry standard as possible is good for students — and for potential employers in the esports space and beyond. “This is technology they’ll use in their professional lives,” says Mortimer. “Industry-ready facilities help deliver industry-ready graduates.”

INTERVIEW WITH Joshua Wales-Ferguson Interim Course Director - Esports, Staffordshire University

INTERVIEW WITH Richard Mortimer Technical Services Manager, Staffordshire University

Images provided by Staffordshire University

WRITTEN BY Guy Bramwell-Smith

Executive Officer,

Inclusive games education opportunities help young people find career success

Unlock your potential in the dynamic world of games and esports through college education with expert-led courses, industry partnerships and diversity initiatives.

Launched in 1992, Access Creative College’s (ACC) sole focus was music; that was what we were known for. More recently, we have expanded into games and esports. The UK games industry was worth £7.82 billion in 2023 (UKIE), but it’s not just about economic value.

Expansive games industry education Games and esports have a vast fanbase and press following, groundbreaking experiences across multiple platforms including PC, mobile and console that make them more accessible than ever.

ACC recognises how strong these sectors are. We’re rising to meet growing demand by offering courses that are engaging and interesting for students — and relevant and professionally robust for employers, providing a constant pipeline of fresh talent.

bespoke ‘GoLive’ careers service.

We’ve also partnered with Manchester games development studio SlingShot Studio, to offer work experience exclusively for ACC students and alumni. SlingShot primarily develops mobile games and has released its student-led pilot app project ‘GO!Samurai!’. They are currently working on a major update, as well as two new IPs, a mobile topdown zombie shooter and their first PC game, all due to be released in September.

The UK games industry was worth £7.82 billion in 2023 (UKIE), but it’s not just about economic value.

Our sister higher education provider, dBs Institute, has also recognised the growing importance of games within the creative industries with their industryfocused, highly specialised BA (Hons) Game Art, BA (Hons) Game Development: Programming and MA Game Sound courses.

CEO, TIGA

Why an Independent Games Tax Credit would power up small games studios

If smaller games studios are to thrive, more support is required from the Government, including the introduction of an Independent Games Tax Credit (IGTC).

The UK games industry is strong in game development, boasting incredible talent and generating economic growth across the UK. However, to maintain this momentum and compete effectively, we need the next government and parliament to consider a significant policy change: the introduction of IGTC.

financial boost for development costs, excluding marketing and distribution.

• Games with budgets exceeding £15 million in total production costs would continue to utilise the current VGEC scheme, receiving a 34% credit on 80% of qualifying expenditure.

Potential benefits of an IGTC

Diversity and collaboration in games careers

Diversity has long been an issue in the sector, so we’ve launched initiatives like our ‘Change the Game’ campaign, aimed at getting more women into games careers. We also offer industry professionals a chance to engage with students by bringing them in as tutors or for masterclasses as part of our

Taught by industry experts in facilities that reflect real-world games industry environments, their courses help our students take the next step in their educational journey and prepare them for successful games industry careers.

For more on Access Creative College, dBs Institute and Slingshot, visit the following: accesscreative.ac.uk dbsinstitute.ac.uk slingshotstudio.online

Fairer playing field with IGTC Many countries understand the economic and cultural value of video games, offering production tax reliefs to their domestic studios. Canada, France, Ireland, Belgium, Australia and a staggering 15 states in the USA all incentivise game development. Some of these tax reliefs are more generous than the UK’s existing Video Games Expenditure Credit and so put the UK development sector at a disadvantage.

The benefits of an IGTC extend

far beyond individual studios.

How an IGTC would work for studios

An IGTC would complement the existing Video Games Tax Relief (VGEC) scheme, offering a more generous credit specifically tailored to smaller studios. Here’s how it would work:

• Games with production budgets of less than £15 million would qualify for a new IGTC, offering a 53% credit on 80% of qualifying expenditure. This translates to a significant

An IGTC would boost smaller studios. These studios often create innovative, critically acclaimed titles, but many face difficulties accessing finance. It would reduce the cost of games production for smaller studios. It would enable more studios to scale up, take greater creative risks and produce even more exciting games. The benefits of an IGTC extend far beyond individual studios. A thriving games industry creates jobs, fosters innovation and attracts investment. By nurturing our domestic talent, we ensure the UK remains a leader in the global games market, generating economic growth for years to come.

Enabling continuous growth in UK games

The time to act is now. The next Government and Parliament have the power to unlock the full potential of the UK games industry with an Independent Games Tax Credit. Let’s work together to ensure the UK remains a global leader in creating the video games of tomorrow.

WRITTEN BY Dr Richard Wilson OBE

Chief

Sling Shot Studios, and Head of Games, Access Creative College

Extensive game design course offers students industry connections and practical skills

Industry connections, AI integration and hands-on training can prepare students and aspiring professionals for success in game design, according to video games lecturers.

Connecting with industry is crucial for students aspiring to enter the competitive games sector. It helps them stay current with industry trends and build valuable contacts for potential job opportunities. Combining this with hands-on technical training, including new elements like artificial intelligence (AI) and cinematics, equips graduates to step into the evolving world of game design and development.

Comprehensive game design education

Kingston University has long-established video games courses. Professor Vesna Brujic-Okretic, Head of the School of Computer Science and Mathematics, says: “We teach production and programming of games and take students through the whole process to the end of the course where they produce a game.

Trends, job tips and portfolio reviews

Caton, who previously worked in the games industry as the narrative writer of Tomb Raider IV, highlights how the university’s inKUbator scheme connects students with game industry employers. It facilitates weekly online talks with alumni and gaming industry professionals from big brands. “They talk about current trends, what they do in their jobs and about how to get roles,” she says.

Computer science, game mechanics and production remain at the core of the course.

“While the emphasis is on programming, we are now weaving AI into the course so it can be used as a tool in the creation process.” Computer science, game mechanics and production remain at the core of the course, including working with C++ and Unity game engines, though artwork and accompanying music are also learning components.

Hope Caton, Game Design Lecturer at Kingston, adds: “We are a complete one-stop shop for learning about anything to do with games.”

How can embedding industry expertise in games degrees produce future-proofed graduates?

Academic video games research has exploded in recent years. For games students, there’s a clear, job-focused benefit to support from a multidisciplinary teaching staff with decades of industry experience.

O“They show us portfolios and CVs; we recently had the Head of Design from Frontier do a portfolio review for our graduate students to give them tips on how to better target their portfolio to a role.” Kingston also runs game jams and is the only university to annually showcase student games at the Develop Conference.

Practical skills and diversity efforts

From the first year, students start making games, learning design and using gaming engines. They eventually design and publish games, incorporating cinematics and narrative. “It’s a very practical course,” says Brujic-Okretic. “Students also learn future skills of time management, communication with other team members and industry production management tools.”

These skills prepare students for careers in the games industry as well as in programming or software engineering across various sectors. Now, efforts are underway to increase female enrolment in the course.

ne of the keys at Abertay University has been ensuring we are matching what’s happening in studios as closely as possible and listening to the needs of our industry partners across the world.

Replicating an industry environment

In practice, this means continually growing or refreshing our range of degrees and their content, employing lecturers with prior industry experience, bringing current games studio mentors into the classroom for tutorials and masterclasses and investing in the best software and equipment.

On top of that, we ensure all students complete real-world professional projects in year three, meaning they have had a taste of creating a real game for a real client before they graduate. Our digital artists work with designers, managers and programmers, just as they would in the workplace.

Accreditation and multinational links Since launching the world’s first games degree in 1997, Abertay University has developed a suite of accredited courses. It’s been really important to us to have accreditation from the likes of Screenskills, TIGA and PlayStation First, as well as the benchmarking from the Princeton Review, which ranks Abertay as the

top International School for video games design. It gives that assurance of external quality that will set our students apart in job interviews.

Growing a games ecosystem

According to the Entertainment and Retail Association, games sales in the UK continued to grow by 2.9% in 2023, reaching £4.74 billion — 40% of all entertainment sales. Much of that was concentrated in the UK’s ‘games clusters,’ which include Dundee, Scotland. The industry in Dundee is so interwoven with the University that it makes collaboration and responding to changes in technology easy.

The city’s probably best known for Grand Theft Auto and Minecraft, but when you delve deeper, you’ll find a thriving community of indie developers creating amazing games and a large network of studios employing predominantly our graduates. This makes for an incredibly connected game development community, which benefits our students from their very first weeks here.

Our active community of researchers also plays a massive part; they’re constantly pushing the conventional boundaries of what games are for and coming up with new processes and projects to help support the needs of industry. Being in and around this hub of expertise means our graduates get a much more comprehensive education and have the opportunity to take their careers or businesses in a significantly wider variety of directions.

WRITTEN BY

Mark Nicholls

WRITTEN BY Erin Hughes Abertay University School of Design and Informatics

WRITTEN BY Fraser Simpson

Abertay University School of Design and Informatics

INTERVIEW WITH

Professor Vesna

Brujic-Okretic Head, School of Computer Science and Mathematics, Kingston University

INTERVIEW WITH Hope Caton Game Design Lecturer, Kingston University

ImageprovidedbyAbertayUni versi t y