Careers

19,000 people make games professionally in the UK today, supported by another 6,000 in marketing and retail. During the pandemic, games studios added a record 2,000 jobs in 2020. Games studios are right across the country – only 20% of jobs are in London.

We’ve been world-class exporters of games for 40 years. UK game studios contribute over £2 billion to the UK’s economy. The best selling entertainment product of all time, Grand Theft Auto V, was mainly made in Edinburgh, grossing £600m in just 3 days.

Average games salaries for starters (£22,765) and staff in their 20s (£26,981) are over 20% more than national averages. Mid level to senior developers can earn £40,000-£60,000 or more.

Very! The games workforce is changing rapidly and increasingly developers come from every gender, background and community. Games Careers Week is campaigning to encourage anyone from any background to consider careers in games.

Games development involves artists, writers, programmers, designers, animators, musicians, sound technicians, producers, actors and many more traditional roles like marketing and accountancy, not to mention exciting roles in games streaming and Esports.

No! Many games developers start careers after doing a wide variety of different things beforehand while many are formally trained in college and university (see below for some lists of industry-accredited courses). Games companies are looking for talent and passion wherever you come from and Games Careers Week is supported by hundreds of organisations that want to encourage women and people from more diverse backgrounds to consider careers in games.

We advise everyone to follow their passion and to start making games as soon as possible. Gain as much experience as possible working in teams and build a portfolio of your work. The links below will help and attending Games Careers Week events will too.

A lot of people are trying to start these rewarding, challenging and exciting careers, but don’t be put off. This rapidly growing industry is always on the lookout for diverse new talent and there are lots of ways to stand out.

Studios invariably say 3 things about how they hire:

1. Show your passion by doing everything you can to make games.
2. Practice your interpersonal skills by working in teams – that’s how games studios are actually made;
3. Keep going and don’t be put off if knocked back. See What Next? below for some further advice.