The evening of the awards ceremony last night marked 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, concluding the GamesIndustry.biz HR Summit. The ceremony was made possible thanks to the generous backing of several industry partners, including Amiqus, Playground Games, IO Interactive, Games London, and Special Effect, whose contributions helped to celebrate the achievements of the sector's most employee‑focused companies. These accolades are determined through a rigorous evaluation process that places a heavy emphasis on the voice of the workforce. Eighty percent of each company’s final score is derived from the responses of its own staff, collected via an anonymous, company‑wide survey that asks employees to rate various aspects of their workplace experience.
The remaining twenty percent of the score is supplied by the firms themselves, who submit detailed documentation of their internal policies, initiatives, and programmes that aim to improve employee wellbeing, professional development, and overall workplace culture. In addition to the core categories, the awards feature a number of special recognitions that are adjudicated by the GamesIndustry.biz editorial team. These include awards for innovation in HR practice, outstanding contributions to diversity and inclusion, and the highly coveted "G into Gaming" award, which was presented by Liz Prince MBE of Amiqus.
This particular honour celebrates companies that have made significant strides in expanding access to the gaming industry for under‑represented groups. The past twelve months have been challenging for the broader gaming sector, with headlines dominated by layoffs, studio closures, and widespread job insecurity. Despite these headwinds, the submissions for this year’s awards painted a more optimistic picture of the UK’s gaming landscape. Many participating companies demonstrated a steadfast commitment to supporting their employees, highlighting a range of policies and programmes that have helped to create a more resilient and caring work environment.
Respondents frequently mentioned specific initiatives—such as flexible working arrangements, mental‑health support services, sustainability projects, and mentorship schemes—that have made a tangible difference in daily life at their studios. Several categories were decided by razor‑thin margins, underscoring just how competitive the field has become. In particular, the sections focusing on mental‑health provisions, environmental sustainability, and education/mentoring were closely contested, reflecting the growing expectation that such measures are now standard practice rather than exceptional perks.
This shift indicates that UK game developers are increasingly viewing employee wellbeing and social responsibility as integral components of their business strategy. The accompanying gallery showcases each of the winners as they appeared on the stage during the ceremony. Photographs capture the excitement of the moment, the pride on the faces of the recipients, and the supportive atmosphere created by colleagues, industry leaders, and the event’s sponsors. The visual record serves not only as a celebration of achievement but also as an inspiration for other studios aiming to improve their own workplace culture.
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the sponsors—Amiqus, Playground Games, IO Interactive, Games London, and Special Effect—whose support was instrumental in making the awards possible. Their involvement underscores the importance of collaboration across the industry to recognise and promote best practices in employee management. Looking ahead, the Best Places to Work Awards will return in 2027, offering another opportunity for studios to showcase their commitment to their staff. Companies interested in becoming sponsors or otherwise contributing to the success of the awards are encouraged to reach out via matt_butlin@gamesindustry.biz.
By continuing to highlight exemplary workplaces, the awards aim to drive ongoing improvement and set ever‑higher standards for the gaming sector across the United Kingdom.