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. Overall, the West Midlands is responsible for 25% of the UK’s game market output.
Within our video games cluster is a core of renowned companies that help to anchor the local industry. These include Codemasters, Exient, Ubisoft Leamington, Playground Games and Radiant Worlds. These companies help to upskill our talent pool and grow the local sector.
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. Come and join us.
Video Games and VR sector
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 (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths) runs its Create Programme (free to eligible SMEs) and the STEAMhouse Incubator. Both offer fantastic opportunities for start-ups or small businesses to network, learn, trial, develop, access facilities and more, all while reducing risk.
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 a 10-year Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA) with the Global Esports Federation (GEF), accelerating the region’s commitment to driving international growth in the rapidly developing industry and further burnishing the UK’s credentials as an international esports centre.
The West Midlands is an emerging hub among Esports fans, and Birmingham is the perfect location to introduce eSports to the Commonwealth Games for the first time. The largest prize pool even held in the UK was in Birmingham. ESL One 2018 was held at Arena Birmingham with a $1 million prize pool.
Serious games
Gaming goes further than entertainment. Coventry University’s Serious Games Institute is a national centre of excellence. It can provide gaming companies a platform to embrace Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). This is supported by cross-over opportunities with the local aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Gaming talent pool and quality of life
The West Midlands has one of the youngest populations in Europe. 32% of people here are under the age of 25. We are diverse and vibrant. Moreover, the region has a very high quality of life that keeps graduates and professionals in the area while being a massive draw for people moving out of the capital.
This is because the West Midlands is around 40% cheaper than London. This not only means that employees are happier and can afford to live more comfortably, but companies can maximise their ROI and reduce risk.
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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Digital & Creative Technologies
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Why the West Midlands?
