June 2025
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This conference examined next steps for the UK video game industry.
Policy and sector growth
Considering latest thinking on opportunities for sector growth and the place of video games in the forthcoming Creative Industries Sector Plan, stakeholders and policymakers discussed implications of recent policy developments, including from the 2024 Autumn Budget, and expectations surrounding the Government’s Invest 2035 strategy and the 2025 Spending Review.
Delegates assessed whether measures such as the continuation of the Video Games Expenditure Credit (VGEC) and funding for the UK Games Fund sufficiently address industry needs, with calls for expansion of the VGEC and introduction of an independent games tax credit in line with independent films. Those attending looked at implications, including for smaller games companies, and what is needed to support the domestic industry and attract investment moving forward.
We expected the agenda to bring out latest thinking on the effectiveness of the video game certification process in supporting cultural and economic objectives.
Regulation, new requirements, and loot boxes
There was a focus on regulatory challenges facing the sector, considering next steps for industry regarding preparation for risk assessments and content moderation requirements, safety-conscious innovation in game design, with discussion on implications of the Online Safety Act 2023. We expected discussion on key considerations for safeguarding and user protection, Ofcom’s codes of practice, setting out how online platforms can meet their duties, as well as how best to balance legally-mandated and self-regulated loot boxes, whilst ensuring developers adhere to their own guidelines.
Further sessions examined implications of international regulatory developments, notably the European Commission’s Fitness Check of EU Consumer Law on Digital Fairness.
Innovation, AI and ethics
The agenda also explored the impact of generative AI, including opportunities the technology presents and how industry can ethically harness innovation. We expected discussion to explore the conflict between generative AI and copyright frameworks, following the Government’s recent consultation and priorities for ensuring responsible use, looking at emerging regulatory challenges and protecting IP rights for creators, as well as expectations from the upcoming Digital Fairness Act.
Skills
Sessions also assessed priorities for education and skills development within the video games sector, considering the impact of recent announcements from the 2025 Immigration White Paper, including increasing the immigration skills charge and implementing stricter language proficiency rules. Discussion also centred on opportunities and potential benefits following the Government replacing the Apprenticeship Levy with a Growth and Skills Levy, and how effective collaborative frameworks can be put in place to tackle skills shortages.
Overall areas for discussion included:
- policy: measures in the Autumn Budget - the Video Games Expenditure Credit - support for smaller game companies - the UK Games Fund - potential outcomes of the Spending Review
- promoting sector growth: funding and investment priorities - expectations from Invest 2035 - identifying funding needs of small and medium sized enterprises - options for grants or funding pools
- safeguarding: responding to recent safety concerns on gaming platforms - enhancing protection for young users - implementing effective content moderation - ensuring regulatory compliance
- regulation: implications of the Online Safety Act 2023 - Ofcom’s upcoming codes of practice - preparing for risk assessments and content moderation requirements - innovation with safety
- loot boxes: balancing between self-regulation and legal mandates - effectiveness of current industry guidelines - international approaches to loot boxes - addressing concerns over addictive design
- international developments: outcomes of the EC’s Fitness Check - anticipating effects of the Digital Fairness Act - potential impact on UK regulations - transparency and consumer protection
- skills: addressing industry-specific training needs - evaluating the Growth and Skills Levy - developing tailored apprenticeship programmes - fostering collaboration between industry and education
- AI: developments, opportunities, and priorities for innovation - impact of generative AI on the industry - addressing concerns around IP and image rights - implications for the wider workforce
All delegates were able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those who attended include officials from DSIT; DBT; DfE; Department for the Economy, NI; HMRC; ICO; Ofcom; CMA; IfATE; Home Office; the Welsh Government; and The Scottish Government.
