The evening of the awards ceremony unfolded with the unveiling of the 2026 GamesIndustry.biz Best Places To Work Awards for the United Kingdom, an event that once again took place within the historic walls of the Royal Institution in London, capping off the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit. This year’s celebration was made possible thanks to the generous backing of a group of industry supporters, including Amiqus, Playground Games, IO Interactive, Games London and Special Effect, whose contributions helped to highlight the achievements of the sector’s most employee‑focused companies. The methodology behind the awards is rooted in the voices of the workforce themselves. Each participating studio or publisher invites its staff to complete an anonymous questionnaire that forms the backbone of the evaluation – accounting for a substantial 80 percent of the final score.
This survey captures candid feedback on everything from day‑to‑day workplace culture to the effectiveness of internal support mechanisms. The remaining 20 percent of the score is derived from a formal submission by each organisation, outlining its policies, programmes and initiatives that aim to foster a healthy, inclusive and progressive work environment. In addition to the core categories, the ceremony also featured a suite of special recognitions.
These were assessed by the GamesIndustry.biz editorial team, who applied their own criteria to honour outstanding contributions that might not fit neatly into the standard metrics. Among the special accolades, the prestigious "G into Gaming" award was presented by Liz Prince MBE of Amiqus, celebrating a company that has made a particularly noteworthy impact on diversity and inclusion within the gaming community. Despite a challenging backdrop marked by a wave of layoffs, studio closures and a generally uncertain job market over the past twelve months, the entries submitted for this year’s awards painted an encouraging picture of resilience and commitment. Companies across the UK demonstrated that they are continually evolving their practices to better support their employees.
Respondents repeatedly highlighted specific policies—such as flexible working arrangements, robust mental‑health resources, and clear pathways for professional development—as well as the dedication of individual team members who go above and beyond to create a supportive atmosphere. The competition was fierce in several categories, underscoring how deeply embedded progressive practices have become within the industry. For instance, the mental‑health category saw a tight race, reflecting the growing expectation that employers provide comprehensive wellbeing programmes, from on‑site counselling to mental‑health days and training for managers on how to recognize and address stress. Similarly, the sustainability category revealed that many studios now integrate environmentally friendly measures into their daily operations, such as reducing carbon footprints through remote work options, implementing recycling initiatives, and even investing in green energy for their office spaces.
Education and mentorship also emerged as a key differentiator among the top‑ranked firms. Several nominees showcased extensive apprenticeship schemes, partnerships with universities, and internal mentorship programmes designed to nurture junior talent and promote career progression. These efforts not only help to close the skills gap but also foster a sense of belonging and purpose among newer entrants to the industry.
The visual highlight of the night was a curated gallery that captured each of the winning organisations on stage, surrounded by their colleagues, partners and supporters. Photographs displayed smiling faces, award plaques, and the palpable excitement that comes from being recognised for genuine commitment to staff welfare. The gallery, now available for public viewing, serves as both a celebration of achievement and an inspiration for other companies striving to improve their own workplace standards.
A heartfelt thank you was extended to all the sponsors—Amiqus, Playground Games, IO Interactive, Games London and Special Effect—without whose support the awards would not have been possible. Their involvement underscores a shared belief that recognising and rewarding exemplary workplace practices is essential for the health of the wider gaming ecosystem. Looking ahead, the Best Places to Work Awards will return in 2027, continuing the tradition of spotlighting the organisations that set the benchmark for employee satisfaction and progressive culture.
Companies interested in becoming sponsors or otherwise contributing to the future of the awards are encouraged to reach out via matt_butlin@gamesindustry.biz. The ongoing dialogue between employers, employees and industry stakeholders promises to drive further innovation in how we think about work in games, ensuring that the sector remains not only creatively vibrant but also a place where people can thrive.