UK video games industry faces persistent skills shortages, TIGA report finds

According to a recent report by TIGA, the UK games industry association, approximately 29% of studios are experiencing shortages in skilled personnel. This marks a notable decline from 70% in earlier surveys, yet it remains a significant hurdle. The survey revealed that challenges in recruiting staff with expertise in programming (57%), art (14%), design (14%), community management (7%), and data science (7%) persist. Titled Skills, Training and Education in the Games Industry 2026, the report also noted that 62% of participants reported increased workloads due to these shortages. To mitigate these challenges, studios have opted for internal promotions (68%), enhanced training (51%), and redefined job roles (47%). Furthermore, 40% have outsourced work due to insufficient local talent. A striking finding is that 85% of new hires come from current industry professionals, while only 17% are graduates and 1% are apprentices. TIGA advocates for bolstering higher education and practical experience, recommending that students engage in industry-led projects and that coursework be updated to align with modern tools. As of September 2025, the UK games sector employed around 27,350 full-time equivalent workers across 2,100 companies, having seen a reduction of 1,537 jobs in the previous year—a 4.5% decrease that ended 14 years of growth. TIGA is actively seeking enhancements to maintain the UK's status as a leader in video game development.