More government help is needed to fund start-up companies in the computer games industry, the head of a leading gaming firm has told BBC Politics East.
Asa Burrows, chief executive of SKC Games Studio, in Suffolk, said there was “a lack of appetite to invest in the games industry” with private investments or government grants.
He said it was “impossible” to get the money in advance of a finished product, resorting instead to raising £1.5m through friends and family.
Sir Peter Bazalgette, co-chair of the Creative Industries Council, welcomed the government’s investment of £40m set aside for start-up video games studios, film makers and creative industries outside of London.
Sir Peter, who also brought Big Brother to a global audience, added: “We need the private and public sector to invest hundreds of millions of pounds into our brilliant creative industries.”
In 2023, the gaming industry in the UK was valued at £7.82bn and according to trade body uKie employed 1,200 people in the East of England.
The majority of those are in Cambridge.
Babita Devi, commercial director at SKC Games Studio, said finding funding for the product was very difficult.
“It was very challenging trying to get the investment in the games studio,” she said.
The firm, which is based in Haverhill and can take advantage of the centre of learning that is Cambridge University, has recently developed a new product using sophisticated human-like gaming characters.
They are designed in art studios and paired with artificial intelligence programming to create realistic avatars who can answer “any questions”.
A Department of Culture, Media and Sport spokesman said: “The creative industries, including video games, play an essential role in driving economic growth and spreading opportunity.
“We want to support talented new game developers to reach their full potential and create the next generation of hit games.
“That is why we are investing a further £5.5m into the UK Games Fund over the next year to support early-stage developers, and are backing the sector through our upcoming Creative Industries Sector Plan.”
Interview taken from BBC Website
Images by Vicki Urwin BBC East reporter
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