Video Games & VR
The sizeable and fast-paced video games industry in the West Midlands has the largest gaming and tech talent pools outside of London.
Coventry and Warwickshire have a long gaming heritage, housing the longest-established games company in the country.
With the fastest-growing cluster of tech companies outside of London and one of the biggest concentrations of video game and tech geniuses in our talent pool, it is no wonder our video game sector is booming. Leamington Spa is home to such a concentration of gaming companies that it is known as Silicon Spa. We’re responsible for 25% of the UK’s video games development output.
Within our video games cluster is a core of renowned companies that anchor the local industry. These include gaming giants such as EA Codemasters, Ubisoft Leamington, Xbox Game Studios, Hardlight and Playground Games who have discovered the depth of our world-class talent and have chosen our region to develop iconic games such as Forza, F1 and Assassins Creed.
As a region, we welcome small or large video game companies – whether they are an established name or a start-up with big ideas. We are eager to help realise the potential of gaming, VR, AR and AI for entertainment and the wider tech industry.
Video Games and VR sector
“Games development is such an exciting place to be. It’s the second largest entertainment medium in the UK, and it has completely changed the way we tell stories.”
Getting started in gaming in the UK
Getting off the starting block isn’t always easy, but the West Midlands has your back. STEAMhouse, powered by Birmingham City University, and 1 Mill Street are both collaborative facilities that can give small studios the space they need to succeed.
STEAMhouse
Based at Birmingham City University, STEAMhouse is a £70m facility that provides a space for businesses to develop, test, connect and launch innovative digital technology. New Digital Labs have been created to help SMEs explore and experience the latest tech to accelerate innovation and growth.
STEAMhouse are experts in collaboration and offer initiatives, like their Open Innovation Programmes, that allow you to challenge other innovative start-ups to create solutions to challenges that your business is facing.
Talk to our sector lead for Digital & Creative Technologies to find out why else the West Midlands is right for your company.
West Midlands Esports
The West Midlands has emerged as a global hub for Esports, with Birmingham and Coventry hosting some of the biggest tournaments in the world. Anchored by the presence of gaming giants, our region is home to a vibrant community of competitive clubs, games developers and hardcore Esports fans.
However, it’s not all play in the West Midlands, as our universities and colleges have recognised the growing demand for this industry and offer a wide range of courses to develop and upskill Esports talent in the region. Backed by a 10-year Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA) with the Global Esports Federation (GEF), Esports in the West Midlands is set to see rapid growth, further cementing the UK as an international Esports centre.
Serious games
In the West Midlands, gaming goes further than entertainment. Organisations in our region have become experts in applying gaming technology to alternative sectors like Life Sciences, Future Mobility and Advanced Manufacturing. This has enabled next-generation capabilities in the region such as real-life training scenarios, Digital Twins of construction sites and precise vehicle testing.
Our region hosts a wide variety of cutting-edge R&D facilities that businesses like yours can access to develop gaming tech that is shaping the future of these industries:
- The Serious Games Institute at Coventry University is a centre of excellence and explores the use of gaming tech in health, education and the environment.
- University of Warwick Visualisation Group apply novel computing solutions to challenging applications in healthcare, manufacturing and cultural heritage.
- Birmingham Open Media develop immersive solutions to help tackle societal issues and break down barrier between tech, people and society.
Upgrading the next generation of talent
Video games talent can be found in abundance in the West Midlands. Independent companies like Birmingham Open Media are experts in upskilling the next generation of diverse tech talent, particularly promoting opportunities for individuals from neurodivergent, Black, Asian, mixed ethnic and LGBTQ+ backgrounds.
Our region also boasts world-renowned video games educational institutes, like Birmingham City University who offer over 25 video game-related courses. Relationships with the likes of Playground Games, Rare, EA Codemasters and Ubisoft also mean that BCU often place their graduates at these leading companies, meaning that they could supply world-class talent to your business too.
Free support services
We bring together a project team from relevant organisations across the region. This team includes property agents, recruitment consultants, public sector departments and universities. It delivers a comprehensive support package to quickly and easily help you establish and scale your business in the UK.
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