ReportGames Jobs Live
UK Games Jobs Summary: November 2022
1 Nov 20223 pages~3 min full read
UK games industry recruitment contracted significantly in November 2022, resulting in over 500 fewer open vacancies compared to June 2022.
See it on page 2Mobile studios experienced the highest proportional reduction in job postings, largely driven by the completion or cancellation of roles following corporate mergers.
See it on page 3Despite the broader market decline, the industry added over 600 new job postings during the month, and the total number of tracked studios grew by eight companies.
See it on page 3While hiring volume dropped across major hubs like London, Guildford, and Manchester, two smaller geographic regions bucked the national trend by increasing their job offerings.
See it on page 2Market demand remains concentrated in Programming, Art, and Design, with Software Engineers, Producers, and Senior Environment Artists identified as the most sought-after roles.
See it on page 3The industry showed a counter-intuitive increase in advertised junior positions, indicating a continued commitment to entry-level talent despite wider economic headwinds.
See it on page 3The United Kingdom games industry experienced a notable contraction in recruitment activity during November 2022, continuing a downward trend observed throughout the second half of the year. Open vacancies decreased by several hundred positions compared to the previous month, leaving the market with over 500 fewer available roles than in June 2022. This decline aligns with broader global and domestic technology sector layoffs. While major development hubs such as London, Guildford, Leamington Spa, Cambridge, Edinburgh, and Manchester remain the primary centers for recruitment, these locations have seen a significant reduction in active job postings.
The downturn has impacted various industry segments and disciplines unevenly. Mobile studios recorded the highest proportional reduction in open roles, often attributed to the fulfillment or removal of positions following major corporate mergers. Despite the general decline in volume, the market shows resilience in specific areas; two less prominent geographic regions bucked the national trend by increasing their job offerings. Furthermore, while senior and experienced roles remain prevalent, there was a recorded increase in advertised junior positions, suggesting a continued interest in developing entry-level talent despite broader economic headwinds.
Data indicates that Software Engineers, Producers, and Senior Environment Artists are among the most sought-after titles. Programming, Art, and Design remain the dominant hiring categories, though most disciplines have seen a net loss in postings. The age of available jobs suggests a mix of immediate needs and long-term vacancies, with over 600 new jobs added in the month preceding the summary. This analysis is based on a comprehensive database of UK game studios, which expanded by eight new companies during this period, providing a representative snapshot of the hiring landscape across AAA, AA, mobile, indie, and service-based sectors.
