Dundee driving 600% growth in Scotland's gaming industry

SCOTLAND's booming computer games industry saw the number of firms in the sector soar from just 15 in 2010 to 100 in 2015.

Dundee acts as Scotland's gaming hub. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Between 2010 and 2013, the last year for which figures are available, turnover in the industry increased from £38.1m to £67.6m.

And 95 of the 100 games businesses are registered in Scotland – an increase of over 600% in five years according to figures released by Scottish National Party.

Scottish gaming studios include global sucessess Rock Star North, producers of the Grand Theft Auto series, and 4J Studios, who are involved in the production of Minecraft.

Dundee is the hub of game design in the country, with about about a third of the industry’s companies based there.

Commenting on the figures, Dundee SNP MSP Joe Fitzpatrick said:

“Computer games are a massive success story for Scotland and the growth since 2010, both in terms of established companies and in turnover, has been exceptional.

“This is an industry that drives exports and makes a huge cultural and economic contribution to Scottish life.

“The SNP want to ensure that this sector continues to grow as a key part of Scotland’s creative industries.”

Will Dawson, convener of Dundee City Council attributes much of Dundee’s success to the city’s universites.

He said: “Many people now graduate in games and computer related industries in Dundee every year, and because they like it many stay in the city where the industry is supported by the public and private sector.”

In Scotland, about 84,000 people are currently employed in the technology sector as a whole with 70,000 additional jobs expected over the coming five years.