The gaming industry continues to grow and evolve. While PC and console gaming continue to be popular, mobile gaming attracts more players and generates more revenue than both.
Social and casual games, available on a wide range of different platforms, also continue to dominate, and the emergence of virtual reality, as well as the impending launch of mobile devices, means the industry has a lot to offer, not just to gamers but to those hoping to work in or profit from the gaming industry.
And, while the industry’s efforts have primarily been found in the South, cities like Leeds and, to a lesser extent, Sheffield and York, have burgeoning gaming industries.
The gaming industry is broad, not only encompassing traditional gaming platforms but also online casinos. iGaming’s popularity has not only led to the emergence of some of the best casino payouts and bonuses, but it has also boosted local and tech-based economies.
Leeds has proven especially popular with iGaming companies. The likes of Sky Bet and the LeoVegas Group have recently opened headquarters in the area. The appearance of globally significant companies like this not only brings employment to the region, but it also sees the enhancement of the local gaming industry.
Globally, more than 3 billion people consider themselves gamers. This includes all demographics and incorporates all types of gamers, from casual to hardcore and from mobile to PC and VR. The fact that most of us have gaming devices – mobile phones – in our pockets makes gaming more accessible.
The proliferation of free mobile apps, as well as the affordability of emerging technologies like virtual reality headsets, has also seen more people try their hands at various forms of gaming. And, during lockdowns in 2020, many people realised the social benefit of gaming online, when it brought friends and family together.
Locally, York and other major cities are seeing gaming booms with the opening of new VR bars as well as other gaming attractions. From a business perspective. In 2023, around 10% of the UK’s total games industry was located in Yorkshire – Yorkshire and Humber had seen a 33% increase in headcount within the industry. Those figures are likely to have grown with the addition of major Sky Bet and Leobet offices.
The growth of the local gaming industry is somewhat self-fulfilling. As new companies emerge or existing companies migrate to the area, the availability of jobs means increased interest. It has also led to an increase in relevant gaming studies found in colleges and universities in the area. The University of York offers courses including Gaming: Industry and Culture, while York St John University has launched a Games Development BSc.
As more students complete their studies and get qualified, this means the local talent pool continues to increase, which, in turn, brings more organisations and more investment to the area. And so it continues.
As well as being able to make money from creating games, there are various other avenues to profit from what some consider little more than a hobby. Esports, or competitive gaming, attracts millions of players every year, and global tournaments attract prize pools equivalent to millions of pounds.
Sponsorship is available, and there is significant crossover between traditional sports teams, like football teams and Formula 1 constructors, with their own eSports arms.
While not all participants make money from the venture, streaming on sites like Twitch and YouTube can also prove profitable ventures while enabling gamers to do what they love.
Other possible avenues for making money from gaming include artistic and creative roles, such as video editing and graphic design. Story writing and even more administrative roles are also required, while app developers, web developers, and other professionals are also needed.
While the gaming industry does experience ups and downs and is subject to recessions, it has proven to be more resilient to these downtimes compared to a lot of other industries. This is especially true of mobile and free-to-play games – they don’t cost anything to buy, so they don’t tend to lose buyer numbers even during difficult economic times.
