Computer games industry training to build on success

Despite the international foundation of these games, they were not developed in Denmark or California but the UK, by TT Games.

UK’s thriving computer industry

According to the Games Up?, which is campaigning for the interests of the sector, gaming hits such as Tomb Raider, Football Manager, SingStar and even the controversial, yet immensely popular, Grand Theft Auto series have their roots in Britain.

The industry is one of the jewels in Britain’s global business crown and UK games studios are significant contributors to the UK economy

Ian Livingstone

Creative Director

Eidos

The country's legacy in the sector was highlighted recently when brothers David and Richard Darling were named in the Queen's Birthday Honours for "services to the computer games industry".

After founding software developers Codemasters in 1986, the Darlings grew the firm into one of the industry's most recognised names, which went on to create the Colin McRae Rally, Sensible Soccer and Lord of the Rings Online titles.

Ian Livingstone, Creative Director of Eidos, the firm which developed Tomb Raider, said of the sector: "The industry is one of the jewels in Britain’s global business crown and UK games studios are significant contributors to the UK economy.

With around 280 firms based in the UK, the country is a global hub for game development, employing around 10,000 staff in creative positions and spending almost half a billion pounds in 2007.

Globally, the UK was ranked as the third largest producer of computer games until 2006, states Games Up? when it dropped into fourth place and was overtaken by Canada.

However, the sector still remains competitive in an industry which was worth almost £18 billion worldwide in 2007 and is expected to see compound growth rates of more than nine per cent.

Of this, it is anticipated that UK-generated software will create global sales revenues of up to £4 billion between 2006 and 2008.

Computer games at UK’s universities

To fuel this thriving industry with the skilled workers it needs, 81 UK universities now offer degrees in computer game development, although this is not the easy option it may sound like at first.

Institutions such as Northumbria University run BSc (Hons) Computer Games Software Engineering and BSc (Hons) Computer Animation and Graphics courses to teach the skills needed to succeed in the industry.

Speaking to the North East Journal, Dan Hodgson, course leader with the university, said: "We consistently tell them that this is one of the hardest courses we offer at this university.

"It's certainly not for the sort of people who want to laze around and play games for three years.

Designed with input from individuals working in the game development sector, the courses involve computer programming and mathematical skills combined with aspects of games design.

Areas of study range from the expected programming modules, to the role of artificial intelligence in games, to business skills such as professional development and project management.

We consistently tell them that this is one of the hardest courses we offer at this university.

"It's certainly not for the sort of people who want to laze around and play games for three years

Dan Hodgson

Course Leader

Northumbria University

However, the Games Up? campaign aims to further build on the success of the industry and is attempting to increase the training opportunities available to those interested in becoming a software developer.

The campaign, which is supported by industry organisations Tiga and ELSPA, is sponsored by some of the field's brightest lights, including Activision, Codemasters, Microsoft Games Studios and Take Two Interactive.

One of the central aims of Games Up? is to establish 'centres of excellence' in the UK, which will specialise in training budding software developers.

Tiga cites Skillset figures which reveal the labour in the field is "relatively homogenous", with the majority being under 34 years old, women making up eight per cent of the workforce and those from minority ethnic backgrounds accounting for three per cent.

It is hoped by developing dedicated training hubs, and making the necessary skills more available, increased numbers of workers from all backgrounds will enter the industry and improve on its previous success.

Richard Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of Tiga, commented: "Games developers want to recruit and retain the best teams available, irrespective of their backgrounds.”

"Developers know that a more diverse workforce could enable them to create games that appeal to different audiences and so potentially expand their businesses.