Scottish Video Games Industry Manifesto: 2026

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
The manifesto cites a study estimating that for every £1 of Government support through reliefs, the Government receives roughly £3.43 in return.See it on page 5
02
The UK games industry is cited as worth £6 billion in Gross Value Added, with spillover value into other sectors such as high-end TV and film estimated at about £760 million GDP.See it on page 5
03
The UK is ranked sixth in the world for games industry size and is cited as the fourth largest global exporter of video games.See it on page 5
04
The manifesto states that access to the right finance at the right time is proving more difficult than before, causing stagnation for developers of all shapes and forms.See it on page 5
05
The first priority asks the next Government to review and strengthen existing policy, including developing a data strategy to provide accurate, timely insight into the sector.See it on page 4
06
The manifesto asks the next Scottish Government to shape a targeted, pilot VG&IE funding scheme and explore funding opportunities with the Scottish National Investment Bank.See it on page 6

Summary

Interactive Entertainment Scotland, the trade association for Scotland's video games and interactive entertainment (VG&IE) sector, has published a manifesto addressed to the political parties and the next Scottish Government ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election. It sets out three priorities: reviewing and strengthening existing policy support, unlocking access to funding, and investing in Scotland's games talent pipeline. The document describes Scotland as home to a world-leading games ecosystem, citing titles such as Grand Theft Auto (Rockstar North), the console ports of Minecraft (4J Studios) and Monstrum (Team Junkfish), and notes that the DICE Europe summit was held for the first time in Edinburgh and Dundee in 2025, drawing 150 of the world's most influential video games industry figures. It places 2025 as a transition from a high-growth period into sustainable growth. Citing Ukie research, it states the UK games industry is worth £6 billion in Gross Value Added, with spillover value to other sectors estimated at about £760 million GDP, and that every £1 of government support through reliefs returns roughly £3.43. It also notes the UK is ranked sixth in the world for size and fourth largest global exporter for video games.