- First Minister welcomes industry leaders to global showcase
First Minister says Scotland is positioned to
become “a global hub for digital innovation” as a prestigious
computer games conference being held in Scotland for the first
time gets underway.
The DICE Europe summit - supported by the Scottish Government
- will see 150 global gaming industry leaders come to
Edinburgh for key talks and to hear from Nintendo's Managing
Executive Officer Satoru Shibata, who was invited to speak by the
First Minister.
Deputy First Minister will address an opening
reception at Edinburgh Castle where global delegates will be
entertained by Nicola Benedetti.
Roundtables will focus on Scotland's rise to become a global
powerhouse in the industry and the role Artificial Intelligence
will play in game development. Scotland is now home to 130 gaming
companies with a £340 million annual industry turnover with staff
numbers have doubling from 1,045 to 2,125 since 2015.
First Minister said:
"Scotland's gaming industry is experiencing extraordinary growth
that demonstrates our nation's capacity for innovation and
entrepreneurship. The transformation from 15 companies to 130 in
just over a decade shows how quickly Scottish talent can compete
on the global stage and create real economic value for our
communities.
"These companies are not just creating games played by millions
worldwide – they are creating skilled jobs, attracting
international investment, and positioning Scotland as a global
hub for digital innovation. This growth directly supports our
mission to raise living standards in every part of Scotland and
cement our reputation as a centre of creative excellence."
Chris van der Kuyl, Chairman, 4J Studios, developers of Minecraft
Console Edition, who helped bring DICE to Scotland, said:
“It's monumental so many of the industry's top figures are
gathering in Scotland. After a couple of challenging years
worldwide, confidence and growth prospects have returned to the
sector.
“With the forthcoming release of GTA 6, which is set to reshape
the video game landscape, and our own new game Reforj alongside
all the other incredible output from studios across the country,
Scotland is well placed to lead the way and have an outsized
impact on the global stage.”
Background
DICE Europe takes place from 15-17 September.
More – Welcome to the Official D.I.C.E.
Edinburgh Website
The event showcases Scotland's position as an emerging global hub
for interactive entertainment, building on successes from
companies like 4J Studios and Rockstar North's Edinburgh
operations.
Gaming companies across Scotland are developing titles played by
millions worldwide, from Minecraft console editions to major
franchise games. This success demonstrates how Scottish
creativity and technical expertise can compete on the global
stage whilst generating significant employment opportunities.
The Scottish Government is backing the industry to create a
National Action Plan for Games in Scotland that will boost and
accelerate growth and job creation.
