A new guide has been published to support research and enhance the understanding of video games. With over half of British adults playing video games, the industry is a rapidly growing sector in the UK, contributing £2.8 billion to the economy and employing 27,000 people in 2019.
The Video Games Research Framework, a collaborative effort between the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, academia, research councils, and the games industry, aims to provide support for researchers in building a stronger evidence base for future policymaking. The framework highlights priority areas, including understanding why people engage with games, the effects of games on physical and mental health, and the impact of in-game features like spending and advertising on players. It also emphasizes wider research focuses such as exploring the industry’s economic potential and the role of video games in education. The framework incorporates guidance on research practices, including principles on research integrity, knowledge sharing, and managing conflicts of interest from UK Research and Innovation. Additionally, the document addresses the need for data sharing and provides advice on adhering to UK data protection laws.
Dr Richard Wilson OBE, TIGA CEO, said:
The Video Games Research Framework should be a valuable tool for conducting research in the video games sector. TIGA is pleased to see this framework in place and looks forward to seeing it used as a guide for advancing understanding in this dynamic and world-leading industry.