UK Sees Significant Rise in Game Development Freelancers Amid Industry Shifts

Key findings include: - A significant increase in contractors, from 4.4% in April 2023 to 12.7% in May 2024, - A total of 28,516 people employed in the UK games industry as of May 2024, - 248 companies ceased operations or exited the industry during the survey period, - The lowest annual growth rate in full-time positions since 2012, at 4.8%. The UK games industry has seen a substantial rise in freelancers, with numbers tripling between April 2023 and May 2024, according to TIGA's latest research. As of May 2024, 3,625 game developers worked as contractors, compared to 1,102 in April 2023. The total games workforce also increased, with 28,516 people employed in the industry as of May 2024, representing a 13.9% rise from 25,026 in April 2023. TIGA noted that the number of full-time roles grew at the lowest annual rate since 2012, at 4.8%, with 25,419 full-time positions as of May 2024. While company closures and downsizing occurred, growth across games firms outweighed these losses, with 400 companies shedding 2,353 full-time development jobs, but 678 companies adding 3,932 full-time development jobs. The number of trading games companies decreased slightly, from 2,175 in April 2023 to 2,148 in May 2024, with 248 companies closing down or exiting the industry during the survey period. London saw the fastest growth in game roles, with 468 new staff in the 12 months to May 2024, followed by the North East and North West. TIGA CEO Richard Wilson attributed the rise in freelancers to factors such as downsizing, restructuring, and the use of contractors for co-development work. He noted that freelancing is more common in related industries like TV and film, and encouraged by the fact that games development professionals are continuing to work in the industry, albeit in different capacities.