UK games industry

Always wanted to make computer games for a living? TIGA, the trade association representing the UK games industry, today released a guide for anyone looking to start a career in the computer games industry. The guide entitled ‘Your Guide to Career Paths in Games Development’ provides expert advice on the qualifications and skills you need to join this growing sector.

The computer games industry is one of the fastest growing entertainment industries in the world. The UK games development sector is a world beating industry. We have the fifth largest games development sector in the world in terms of revenue and the largest in Europe. 28,000 people work in the games industry and there are more than 200 games development studios across the UK.

A career in games development is rewarding. Average salaries are £32,388 per annum, which is significantly higher than the national average of £25,000. Developing games is also intrinsically innovative and creative. There are various jobs and career paths within the games development sector, including artists, computer programmers, designers, testers and producers – all have a role to play in developing a successful game.

Generally you need to have a good degree (2:1 or above) in a relevant qualification to stand a chance of securing a job in the industry. Games developers in the UK are based across the country including Brighton, Cambridge, Dundee, Guildford, London, Liverpool, Newcastle, Yorkshire and the Midlands. Developing games offers a creative, rewarding and challenging career path in an industry set to become the Hollywood of the 21 ^st Century.

‘Your Guide to Career Paths in Games Development’ gives an overview of the kinds of jobs and career paths you should expect in the games industry, including entry-level requirements and likely routes of progression.

Dr. Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO stated: “In our experience people are often unaware of the fantastic opportunities that exist in the UK games industry. They also do not realize the size of the industry here in the UK. We hope this guide will offer people practical, straight-forward advice on how to secure a job in this exciting sector.”

To download the guide or find out more about working in the UK games industry visit www.tiga.org .

Ends

Notes to editors:

About TIGA:

TIGA is the trade association representing the UK’s games industry. The majority of our members are either independent games developers or in-house publisher owned developers. We also have games publishers, outsourcing companies, technology businesses and universities amongst our membership. TIGA was awarded ‘Trade Association of the Year’ and the ‘Member Recruitment Award’ at the Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards 2010.

TIGA's vision is to make the UK the best place in the world to do games business.  We focus on three sets of activities: political representation, generating media coverage and developing services that enhance the competitiveness of our members.  This means that TIGA members are effectively represented in the corridors of power, their voice is heard in the media and they receive benefits that make a material difference to their businesses, including a reduction in costs and improved commercial opportunities.

For further information, please contact Eva Field, TIGA PR Manager on: 07814 039 983, or email eva@tiga.org.