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At Barclays, we’re playing our part to help the UK Games Industry grow and develop.
We see the positive impact that games can have in bringing communities together, inspiring creativity and building an environment to learn.
2020 Games Spending Soars
Exclusive data from Barclays Games and Esports released today reveals that the games sector has seen one of the largest increases in spending in 2020, with an increase of 43 per cent in 2020 compared to 2019, 11 per cent higher than the increase in entertainment streaming services and fourteen percent higher than general retail.
Find out more
Ukie Hub Crawl 2021
2021 will see us kick off the annual Ukie Hub Crawl. This is a hugely successful annual activity that normally sees Ukie, and an array of experts, visit up to 15 key locations around the UK to support games businesses on a specific topic.
In 2021, with the event going virtual gives us an amazing opportunity to deliver 12 different and unique events in the Hub Crawl, which will aim to cover the entire life cycle of a games business; from incorporation, growing a team, middleware, running the studio, pitching to funders, getting PR exposure – right through to eventually exiting a business.
What we're doing
Esports
As part of our work in supporting the games industry, we’re partnering with world-class UK esports professionals to help, develop and grow the sport.
Meet the industry
We have created a series of articles and videos working with our partners and ecosystem to help you grow your business.
Resource hub
Have you missed an event we ran? Check out our resource hub to find recordings of each of our events for playback at a later date.
Products and services
Whether it’s a short term cashflow challenge, or a tax credit loan aligned to assist with video game development, we’re on hand to help.
Events
Barclays have joined forces with our partners to pull together an impressive calendar of free, virtual events.
DevGamm Spring 2021
Wednesday 12 - Friday 14 May
This conference includes professional speakers, reviews on game design, art, and marketing, as well as round tables with experts and workshops. In addition, the latest jobs from leading gaming companies will be available on the Career Wall.
Video Game Ambassadors – Connecting Educators with Industry
Thursday 13 May
Join Brandon of Into Games to learn how to use the Video Game Ambassadors - a free digital platform run by Into Games that connects real-world opportunities connecting young people with the UK games industry.
Plan Like a Pro: Practical Advice on Setting Up Your Office Post Lockdown
Thursday 13 May
Learn how companies such as Depop and Acast are approaching their journey back to work. Understand how to successfully implement a hybrid model of working. Learn how to manage your employees back to work, and ways in which you can bring the benefits of working from home into the office.
Resource Hub
Miss an event we ran? You’ll find recordings of all our events on our resource hub.
A guide to getting the funding and finance your game needs
April, 2021
Industry experts offer advice on navigating the tricky world of games investment.
Tech Beyond Games
April, 2021
The technology powering the latest video games has advanced rapidly, and it’s not just games developers that have taken notice. The film, automotive, and architecture industries are just a few who have been integrating it into their non-gaming workflows.
DF Developers: Brand New Mega Drive/Genesis Games with Bitmap Bureau and Big Evil Corp
April, 2021
In this special episode, John Linneman talks to Bitmap Bureau and Big Evil Corp about how they created the brand new Sega Mega Drive/Genesis titles Xeno Crisis and Tanglewood.
DF Developers: Ori And The Will of the Wisps – The Next-Gen Xbox Series X/S Challenge
April, 2021
Digital Foundry returns to the brilliant Moon Studios, to talk to co-founder and lead engineer Gennadiy Koral.
Partnering with games industry experts from the grassroots up
We’re partnering with best-in-class industry bodies to bring new events, workshops and solutions. Supporting the UK games and esports industries to develop their skills and connect with like-minded professionals.
Take a look at some of our partners:
News
Games Innovation Challenge 2021
We have joined up with NSE (National Student Esports) to sponsor their first Games Innovation Challenge to students across the UK.
Barclays and the gaming industry: a multiplayer partnership
The UK gaming industry is valued at £5.7bn – and Barclays is a pioneer in this rapidly evolving sector. David Gowans, Head of Creative Technologies at Barclays Ventures, shares his insights into the bank’s approach to gaming and esports – and why every sector can benefit from its innovations.
Ukie Reveals UK Game of Show Finalists
Winner of the competition on 24 August will represent the UK at the first EuroPlay Contest.
Helping bring the games industry closer together with a sponsored Slack upgrade
With no way to meet in person over the last few months, we’ve been looking for ways to support the UK games industry and help bring it closer together.
Meet the Games and Esports Team
Dave Gowans
Head of Games and Esports
Jon Paterson
Partnership Lead
Elaine Moran
Strategy Lead
Matthew Colclough
Esports Lead
Connect
Whether you’re starting out in games and esports or looking to expand, we’re here to help. If you’d like to find out more about our exciting gaming and esports programme and upcoming events, we’d love to hear from you.
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