New Shadow Council Emerges to Tackle Industry Practices in the UK Games Sector

A newly formed independent body, the UK Games Industry Shadow Council, has been established to address pressing issues of transparency, accountability, and ethical reform within the UK games industry. Comprising over 30 members, the council is chaired by industry veteran Phil Harris and was founded by Kim MacAskill, although she is not a council member. The council's primary objective is to provide a platform for identifying and addressing both positive and negative practices within the industry, with recent events such as the layoffs at Build a Rocket Boy and Rockstar North serving as a catalyst. To tackle these concerns, the council has been divided into seven committees, including those focused on transparency, equality, and education. While the UKGISC is not a union, it seeks to understand the underlying issues within the industry and will handle all concerns with discretion and respect. The council will operate until the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority takes over, which is expected to initially focus on the film, TV, theatre, and music industries before shifting its attention to the games sector. The UKGISC believes its diverse membership can help identify industry practices and collaborate with trade bodies and the UK Video Games Council to ensure secure employment for both employees and employers.