The UK’s creative industries, from film and television to the dynamic video game sector, are cultural flagships and economic cornerstones. Valued at £125 billion annually, the creative industries are named one of the UK government’s eight growth-driving sectors in its Industrial Strategy. Yet, a significant obstacle looms over their continued success: a persistent and growing skills shortage. This gap threatens to stifle innovation and global competitiveness, particularly in the booming video game industry.
The skills required in the video game industry are changing rapidly. Technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and procedural content generation, mean developers need expertise in cutting-edge tools and practices. Yet, many educational institutions struggle to keep pace with these demands.
University programmes often emphasise theoretical knowledge rather than practical application. While game design or development courses might teach principles of storytelling or basic coding, they frequently fail to train students on widely used platforms. This disconnect leaves graduates ill-prepared for the realities of the industry.
There’s a lack of emphasis on interdisciplinary skills. Today’s game developers need to be proficient in coding and art, teamwork, project management, and user experience design. Even talented individuals can struggle in collaborative studio environments without these holistic competencies.
Partnerships between educational institutions and industry leaders are essential to bridge this gap. Collaborative programmes where students work on real-world projects alongside professional developers could better prepare them for their careers. Hackathons, internships, and mentorship initiatives also provide hands-on experience that translates directly into employability.
Access to specialised industry tools and resources
The creative industries rely on highly specialised tools, from software for 3D modeling and animation to powerful hardware for rendering and virtual production. Yet, these resources are often limited, especially for smaller studios and emerging professionals.
Familiarity with tools and game engines is crucial for the video game industry. However, many educational institutions either lack the licenses for these tools or fail to integrate them into the syllabus. This creates a significant barrier to entry, particularly for graduates from underfunded programmes or those entering the industry independently.
But the issue extends beyond education. Licensing professional-grade software can be prohibitive for small studios and freelancers, limiting their ability to compete with larger companies. Addressing this requires more than subsidized software licenses; it necessities a shift towards greater resource sharing within the industry.
One promising solution is the expansion of co-working spaces equipped with professional tools. Initiatives like this can be scaled, creating community hubs where tools and expertise are accessible to all.
Accessibility in upskilling opportunities for experienced professionals
While much of the conversation around the skills gap focuses on entry-level talent, there’s another critical issue: how experienced professionals adapt to the rapidly changing demands of the industry. Upskilling opportunities for seasoned workers are often inaccessible because they’re too expensive, too time-consuming, or poorly aligned with current industry needs.
Take the shift toward virtual production in film and video games, where real-time 3D engines are used to create immersive experiences. For professionals trained in traditional production or animation, mastering these new tools requires training and a supportive learning environment. However, many upskilling programmes are designed for newcomers, leaving experienced professionals without tailored resources.
To address this, the creative industry needs more flexible, modular training programmes that accommodate the schedules of working professionals. Online platforms can play a vital role here, offering courses in everything from advanced coding to procedural animation. However, the industry must also create accredited programmes that provide deeper, hands-on training in high-demand areas, with financial incentives or subsidies to ensure accessibility.
On the other hand, mentorship can also be an effective upskilling tool. Pairing experienced professionals with experts in emerging fields allows for skill-sharing that benefits both parties. Studios can foster this by creating internal mentorship programmes or collaborating with external organisations focused on professional development.
Moving forward
The skills gap in the UK’s creative industries is a multifaceted challenge but not insurmountable. By addressing evolving skills demands through better education, ensuring access to specialised tools and resources, and making upskilling opportunities more accessible, the video game sector – and the broader creative economy – can thrive.
The future of the UK’s creative industries hinges on bold, collaborative action. Educational institutions, industry leaders, and policymakers must come together to create pathways that nurture talent at every stage of a professional’s journey. With the right investments in education, tools, and training, the UK can continue to lead the world in creativity, innovation, and cultural influence.
Chris Meredith is SVP EMEA at Xsolla
January 31, 2025
We need to address the UK’s creative skills shortage
by Chris Meredith • Comment, Workplace
The skills required in the video game industry are changing rapidly. Technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and procedural content generation, mean developers need expertise in cutting-edge tools and practices. Yet, many educational institutions struggle to keep pace with these demands.
University programmes often emphasise theoretical knowledge rather than practical application. While game design or development courses might teach principles of storytelling or basic coding, they frequently fail to train students on widely used platforms. This disconnect leaves graduates ill-prepared for the realities of the industry.
There’s a lack of emphasis on interdisciplinary skills. Today’s game developers need to be proficient in coding and art, teamwork, project management, and user experience design. Even talented individuals can struggle in collaborative studio environments without these holistic competencies.
Partnerships between educational institutions and industry leaders are essential to bridge this gap. Collaborative programmes where students work on real-world projects alongside professional developers could better prepare them for their careers. Hackathons, internships, and mentorship initiatives also provide hands-on experience that translates directly into employability.
Access to specialised industry tools and resources
The creative industries rely on highly specialised tools, from software for 3D modeling and animation to powerful hardware for rendering and virtual production. Yet, these resources are often limited, especially for smaller studios and emerging professionals.
Familiarity with tools and game engines is crucial for the video game industry. However, many educational institutions either lack the licenses for these tools or fail to integrate them into the syllabus. This creates a significant barrier to entry, particularly for graduates from underfunded programmes or those entering the industry independently.
But the issue extends beyond education. Licensing professional-grade software can be prohibitive for small studios and freelancers, limiting their ability to compete with larger companies. Addressing this requires more than subsidized software licenses; it necessities a shift towards greater resource sharing within the industry.
One promising solution is the expansion of co-working spaces equipped with professional tools. Initiatives like this can be scaled, creating community hubs where tools and expertise are accessible to all.
Accessibility in upskilling opportunities for experienced professionals
While much of the conversation around the skills gap focuses on entry-level talent, there’s another critical issue: how experienced professionals adapt to the rapidly changing demands of the industry. Upskilling opportunities for seasoned workers are often inaccessible because they’re too expensive, too time-consuming, or poorly aligned with current industry needs.
Take the shift toward virtual production in film and video games, where real-time 3D engines are used to create immersive experiences. For professionals trained in traditional production or animation, mastering these new tools requires training and a supportive learning environment. However, many upskilling programmes are designed for newcomers, leaving experienced professionals without tailored resources.
To address this, the creative industry needs more flexible, modular training programmes that accommodate the schedules of working professionals. Online platforms can play a vital role here, offering courses in everything from advanced coding to procedural animation. However, the industry must also create accredited programmes that provide deeper, hands-on training in high-demand areas, with financial incentives or subsidies to ensure accessibility.
On the other hand, mentorship can also be an effective upskilling tool. Pairing experienced professionals with experts in emerging fields allows for skill-sharing that benefits both parties. Studios can foster this by creating internal mentorship programmes or collaborating with external organisations focused on professional development.
Moving forward
The skills gap in the UK’s creative industries is a multifaceted challenge but not insurmountable. By addressing evolving skills demands through better education, ensuring access to specialised tools and resources, and making upskilling opportunities more accessible, the video game sector – and the broader creative economy – can thrive.
The future of the UK’s creative industries hinges on bold, collaborative action. Educational institutions, industry leaders, and policymakers must come together to create pathways that nurture talent at every stage of a professional’s journey. With the right investments in education, tools, and training, the UK can continue to lead the world in creativity, innovation, and cultural influence.
Chris Meredith is SVP EMEA at Xsolla