Scotland Targets $1 Billion Games Sector by 2030

By 2030, Scotland is planning to expand its gaming industry to over £1 billion as part of a new initiative led by the Scottish Games Network. The Scottish Game Action Plan seeks to transform the nation into a leading "games supercluster" and a major player in the creative technology sector. The plan, which has been in development for over 18 months and has the backing of the Scottish government since February 2024, was created through a public consultation involving over 350 individuals and numerous gaming companies. In addition to the £1 billion target, the plan aims to establish 20 new studios and 50 intellectual properties with prototype funding by 2028. The plan will take a phased approach to establishing a national framework for the games industry, utilizing existing government resources and infrastructure. It will also align with national goals set by the Scottish government, including the National Strategy for Economic Transformation, the Scottish Technology Ecosystem Review, and the Digital Economy Skills Action Plan. The funding models proposed in the plan are based on the success of the UK Games Fund and Scotland's InGAME R&D Centre. The plan 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. The first phase of the plan is a two-year pilot program aimed at establishing foundational structures and immediate strategic coherence. This includes the appointment of a chief games officer to lead a cross-portfolio working group for games, who will report to the Chief Entrepreneur of the Scottish government. The chief games officer will oversee the delivery of Phase One's initiatives, including 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 modeled on the UK Games Fund, Australia's Federal Production Fund, and the Victorian Regional Production Fund. Stream A of the pilot fund will provide grants of up to £50,000 per project for IP incubation, while Stream B will provide targeted grants of up to £100,000 per project to support work-for-hire studios competing on the global stage. The National Games Skills & Education Forum, once established, will bring together industry leaders, education, and government to align curriculum with industry needs and address skills gaps using existing educational resources. Another recommendation in Phase One includes the Games Enterprise & Sustainability Service, a dedicated program for on-demand business support and mentorship to new studios, delivered through existing enterprise agencies. The second phase of the plan focuses on the establishment of the National Games Innovation Centre – a physical hub that will provide 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.