TIGA CEO Dr Richard Wilson OBE will deliver the keynote address at this month’s Westminster Media Forum, which will examine and discuss the next steps for the development and growth of the UK games industry.
This conference, which takes place on Tuesday, 27th February 2024, will provide an opportunity for key stakeholders and policymakers to assess strategy following the publication of the DCMS Video Game Research Framework in May 2023.
The report sets out principles for research into the impact of video games and gathering reliable data, to be utilised to support and grow the industry.
The Forum also takes place following the announcement of a UK Games Fund grant from DCMS in September 2023, which aims to support emerging developers in turning their ideas into market-leading games. This is an initiative which TIGA has long supported.
Delegates will consider priorities for driving investment amidst concerns over a lack of a stable funding source for the industry. They will assess the impact of the Video Game Tax Relief (VGTR), which is soon to become Video Games Expenditure Credit (VGEC), as well as assessing market dynamics and implications of M&A for the UK video games industry.
There will be discussions on developments in consumer preferences, use of advances in technology such as AI, and key trends in genres. Further sessions focus on wider issues around game content, monitoring age-appropriateness, online toxicity and developing a positive culture.
TIGA CEO Dr Richard Wilson OBE will present the first session after the Chair’s opening remarks, with a talk discussing ‘The UK video games industry: an agenda for growth’.
Other speakers include Marie-Claire Isaaman, CEO, Women in Games; Emily Keaney, Deputy Commissioner of Regulatory Policy, Information Commissioner’s Office; Anna Mansi, Head of Video Games and Certification, Certification Unit, BFI; Dominic Murphy, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Ukie; Paul Durrant, Chief Executive Officer, UK Games Fund; Ryan Locke, Head of Centre for Excellence in Games Education, Abertay University
Peter Cowling, Director, iGGi Games PhD Research Centre, Universities of London and York; Rory Daniels, Programme Manager, Emerging Technologies, techUK; Michael French, Head, Games London; and Festival Director, London Games Festival; and more.
Overall, areas for discussion will include:
- policy and regulation: priorities and next steps for developing the video games industry in the UK – key market trends and opportunities – sector position within the creative industries
- development and growth: sustaining sector growth – maximising the benefits of creative clusters – scaling up businesses – developing a national and international profile
- investment and funding: support for financial sustainability – addressing funding concerns – developing sector attractiveness – assessing the economic impact of the video games industry
- workforce and skills: reviewing sector-relevant education and training opportunities – recruiting and retaining UK talent – promoting diversity, inclusion and positive workplace cultures
- safeguarding and games for good: monitoring age-appropriate content – creating positive in-game cultures – moving the use of games forward in ways that benefit players and wider society
The conference will be an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who are due to attend from the CMA; DBT; DCMS; DfE; DfT; DLUHC; DSIT; HMPPS; House of Commons Library; ICO; IPO; NCA; Ofcom; and The Scottish Government.
The conference will take place virtually and tickets to attend are available here – https://www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/book/Video-Games-24