Shifting Priorities in the UK Gaming Industry
Recent findings from TIGA reveal a notable pivot among UK game studios, with an increasing emphasis on PC game development at the expense of mobile platforms. Exclusive insights shared with GamesIndustry.biz indicate that nearly half of the surveyed studios, approximately 46%, are now prioritizing PC as their primary development focus. Furthermore, projections for the period from May 2024 to September 2025 suggest that 56% of new projects will be directed towards PC gaming.
In contrast, the share of studios engaged in mobile game production has seen a slight decline, dropping from 33% to 31.6%. This shift is mirrored in the employment landscape, where mobile gaming’s contribution to total industry jobs has decreased from 19% to 17.9%.
On a brighter note, the console gaming sector has experienced a rise in its employment share, climbing from 47.2% to 50% during the survey period. However, it is worth noting that the actual number of employees in console studios has decreased by 2.1%, indicating that while the sector’s share of the workforce has grown, it has not been immune to the broader challenges affecting the industry.
TIGA CEO Richard Wilson remarked on these trends, stating, “PC and console game production continues to be a strong foundation for the growth of the UK games development industry.” He emphasized that the data underscores PC’s position as the leading platform for both established and emerging studios in the UK. Despite facing significant market challenges, console gaming remains a vital source of employment.
Wilson further highlighted the importance of a robust policy framework to foster investment, expansion, and job creation within the UK games sector. This call for support comes during a period described as the industry’s “most severe downturn on record.”
According to last month’s TIGA report, the sector has experienced a net loss of 1,537 development roles between May 2024 and September 2025, marking an annual decline of 4.5%. Wilson expressed concern, stating, “After 14 years of continuous growth, the industry is now witnessing an alarming and rapid contraction.” He cautioned that without strategic policy interventions, the UK risks losing a wealth of skilled positions and may lag behind more robustly supported global competitors.
