The British game development industry has started losing developers at a record pace
The period from May 2024 to September 2025 became the worst for the UK's gaming industry in terms of employment. This is stated in a study by the British developers' association TIGA.
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According to TIGA's estimates, the number of game developers in the country fell by 4.5% to 27,347 people over a year and a half—this is the largest decline in UK history. Notably, for the previous 14 consecutive years, their numbers had only grown, but the global gaming industry crisis did not spare the British Isles.
Moreover, gaming startups have become much rarer in the UK. From May 2024 to September 2025, only 137 companies were founded in the country, whereas in the previous period, 281 new startups appeared.
At the same time, as many as 206 British companies closed their doors, resulting in the total number of registered gaming teams in the country dropping to 2,100.
Such a scenario is greatly displeasing to TIGA. The association has called on the UK authorities to pay attention to the state of the local gaming industry and enhance government support. Specifically, it requested increased tax credits and more assistance for startups.