2026 London Games Festival Begins Today

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The London Games Festival commenced today, featuring events both in London and online for businesses and the public. Ukie, the UK’s video game industry trade body, announced that the UK video games market reached a record £8.7 billion last year. Ukie’s Annual Market Assessment Report, released at the festival, indicated significant growth. Digital console game sales increased by 9.2% (£2.49 billion), and mobile game sales rose by 7.9% (£2 billion). Gaming-related films, series, and soundtracks saw a 70% increase, reaching £159 million, while toys and licensed products jumped 43% to £333 million. “We’ve got over 40 million gamers in the UK, and I’m proud that London is the top city for gaming in Europe,” said Sir Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London. “The London Games Festival brings thousands of people to town every year to celebrate video games and interactive fun. We’re expecting even more players this year, proving London’s the world capital of games. Meanwhile, we’re working on making London a better place for everyone.”

Ian Murray, Minister for Creative Industries, stated, “Video games aren’t just a blast—they’re big business. The government is giving £30 million to boost the sector, creating jobs and economic growth as our talented game developers’ ideas take flight.” To further support the gaming industry, three new resources are being launched, thanks to strategic investment from the BFI Innovation Challenge Fund. First, the Games Insights Database (GIDB), a free platform developed with Games Jobs Live, Into Games, and Birds Eye View, consolidates previously scattered UK gaming industry data. It offers career planning and hiring tools, including the Workforce Data Hub and Jobs Framework, providing salary information and career path details for roles in art, design, and programming. Second, Games London created the Self-Publishing Toolkit, a free online guide for indie studios to launch and promote their games, aiming to make the market more accessible to underrepresented development groups. It includes advice on community management and production. Third, the UK Video Games Impact Framework, a study by Okre with Ukie, establishes a standard for measuring the social and cultural impact of video games, examining their effects on health, education, and social issues, to provide policymakers and researchers with a shared framework.

London ranks among the world’s top three cities for game developers, behind Los Angeles and San Francisco. The festival anticipates over 100,000 attendees, including more than 5,000 industry professionals from 30 countries. Numerous initiatives and investment opportunities are planned. Since 2016, the Mayor of London has supported it with over £4 million in investment, helping to develop an internationally recognized gaming scene that has generated over £60 million for the city’s economy. This year’s London Games Festival, running until April 19th, is supported by Coutts, including the opening night. Key events include the Games Finance Market on April 14th and 15th, where investors are expected to commit £247 million to fund new games. For those wanting to sample the games themselves, the festival also features “New Game Plus,” an annual gaming show at Exhibition White City on April 16th and 17th, allowing attendees to play recent releases and meet game creators. This show was launched in 2015.

Enhanced London Games Festival Spotlights UK’s Diverse Game Scene & Emerging Talent Support

The festival emphasizes inclusivity, providing opportunities for underrepresented artists and game developers. This year’s Ensemble Group and Games London programs will support emerging talent. Find the schedule at Trafalgar Square and at New Game Plus, or access it live via Apple and Steam. Additional events include the BAFTA Games Awards and Screen Play at the BFI. With its blend of industry networking, public showcases, and support for emerging talent, the London Games Festival highlights the dynamism and diversity of the UK’s games industry.

In Case You Missed It

In our latest blog posts, we’re excited to share a range of captivating stories from across the globe. Kicking things off, Jonathan Dubinski dives into S-GAME’s human-centric approach to game development in his April 13th piece, “Phantom Blade Zero Producer Refuses AI, Including DLSS 5, Altering Artists’ Intentions” > Phantom Blade Zero Producer Refuses AI, Including DLSS 5, Altering Artists’ Intentions. Dubinski highlights the studio’s commitment to preserving artistic vision by rejecting AI-generated visual technology, instead opting for real actor scans and authentic combat choreography as they prepare for Phantom Blade Zero’s September release. Shifting gears, Sophie Laurent explores cultural shifts and global initiatives in her April 12th article, “MinC Initiates Construction of Culture, Environment, and Climate Change Program” MinC Initiates Construction of Culture, Environment, and Climate Change Program. Laurent guides us through the Ministry of Culture’s innovative program aimed at integrating cultural actions into the climate agenda, with research already underway to identify aligned initiatives and interviews with key stakeholders. Lastly, Carlos Mendoza reports on Brazil’s thriving startup ecosystem in his April 12th piece, “FINEP and BNDES Select AI Fund Management Team” FINEP and BNDES Select AI Fund Management Team. Mendoza delves into the Brazilian Government’s strategic initiative to boost Artificial Intelligence-focused startups, with FINEP and BNDES launching a public call for an investment fund manager specializing in AI.