The UK's gaming sector hits a record size - and contributes billions to GDP!

Widely reported, the UK's gaming industry is expanding rapidly so that it's now added over 1700 new skilled employees and earns the EUK many millions in taxes as well as contributing billions to GDP.
https://news.sky.com/story/uk-video-...rexit-12108282

Great stuff - and with the current pandemic that industry will continue rapid and profitable expansion as more people globally participate in home-based activities like gameplaying.

Re: The UK's gaming sector hits a record size - and contributes billions to GDP!

There are many things at which the UK excells and there is quite a bit of positive news for our country recently despite both Covid and Brexit negativity.
It saddens me to see our media concentrate so much on negativity - esprcially in regard to the very real (and profitable) acheivements our country should be extremely proud of.
Why is so much not being reported-upon?

Example: A few weeks ago a small local paper reported on a new multi-million pound investment (wind energy-related) which will bring over 400 new jobs to our relatively small community.
On the National news: nada. Zilch. Nothing.
Yet Edinburgh Woolen Mill who - be honest, how they have lasted this long I don't know - is splashed everywhere when it fails even though it was no great surprise.

If you were to believe our media the country is in dire straits with jobs being lost right, left and centre ............... but there was no reporting of the fact that September this year saw a record number of new jobs advertised!
https://www.fenews.co.uk/press-relea...-mid-september

I'm not saying "Everything's fine" - but why oh why is our media so biased and negative? It's almost as if they are wishing doom and gloom upon us.

So to counter that, here are some things the UK is really good at.
Please feel free to add your own ideas because there are many more.

Music: we are extremely creative and lead the world, year after year seeing us produce new talent and achieve hit recordings worldwide.

Film and related: again creativity is key. Many global hit films are filmed or part-filmed here; use British acting talent; use British special effects; production, lighting, and far more.

The space industry: Our market share is increasing quite rapidly (it has trebled in 20 years) with our technological and (again) innovative creativity so that we have obver 5% of the global market and growing!
From nano- and micro satellites to communications, imagery and logistics drones we are right up there among world-leaders in a quite a few areas.


Medical research: here we're second only to the USA - despite our size, we are very influential and (that word again) creative.

Electronic innovation: Especially in niche areas the UK continues to excell and lead the world. In 2018 it was the UK's fastest-growing sector and was worth over £16 billion to our economy.
From specialist hifi to the Raspberry Pii to electronic medicines and smart electronics, following the collapse of our traditional electronics industry it's good to see that 20% (and growing) of our electronics exports now are to Asia.


Now over to you.

Re: The UK's gaming sector hits a record size - and contributes billions to GDP!

Here's another one - a pharma giant is investing over £1 billion in the UK over the next 5 years, which given the company has an HQ in Brussels and in Indianapolis is a big boost to the UK as it plans to make the UK its' third major global hub.
https://www.biospace.com/article/ucb...s-for-r-and-d/

Re: The UK's gaming sector hits a record size - and contributes billions to GDP!

For sure good news. Now that Eli Lilly vacates the site it is good that UCB redevelops it and makes it available for it's 600plus employees. And good for the region.

Re: The UK's gaming sector hits a record size - and contributes billions to GDP!

80% of Pharma and biotech companies have representation in the UK already. We have the English language, the best universities and also top level scientists and a huge network of healthcare industries that these companies can leverage.

The other thing is that we have the NHS which is not only the UK's biggest employer but a superb training ground for healthcare professionals.

Re: The UK's gaming sector hits a record size - and contributes billions to GDP!

IHS Markitt Purchasing Manager's Index for the manufacturing centre for October in the UK = 53.3. For the EU = 49.4

Service Industry PMI for October: UK = 52.3 and for the EU = 46.2.

(To remind you: figures above 50 show growth and below 50 show decline.)

There are concerns about the EU facing a double-dip recession as the continuing viral pandemic cause problems globally.
We aren't immune here in the UK but (as per following the GFC) it does seem that we are more resilient than the EU.
Not of course that I biased media would ever phrase it in such a fashion.

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-eu...-idUKKBN2780YD

https://www.ft.com/content/bea4a9ae-...4-3cfc67d981a8

Re: The UK's gaming sector hits a record size - and contributes billions to GDP!

I didn't want to start a new thread & thought this might fit with the positivity of this one, so here's Liz Truss explaining the UK's bright future. Please note that the Japan/UK trade deal was signed today in Tokyo.

"Post-Brexit trade deals can help 'turbocharge' the economy"
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics...harge-economy/

Re: The UK's gaming sector hits a record size - and contributes billions to GDP!

Gambling is also a haven for organised crime and money laundering. Their fortune can also change in a minute just look at the current problems facing Crown Casino and their ill fated Barangaroo venture and the arrest of their staff in China.

Currently before the New South Wales Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority’s inquiry into Crown’s suitability to hold a Sydney casino licence. Things are not going well for them.

The Crown Resorts chairman, Helen Coonan, has admitted the company facilitated money laundering at its Melbourne casino but denied it was “turning a blind eye” to criminal activity instead blaming it on “ineptitude”. Yeah right!

https://www.theguardian.com/australi...ney-laundering

Be careful what you wish for.

Re: The UK's gaming sector hits a record size - and contributes billions to GDP!

Hi

Bruce, Gaming here in the UK means computer games, not gambling.

Re: The UK's gaming sector hits a record size - and contributes billions to GDP!

According to the Oxford Dictionary...

Gaming:

(old-fashioned or law) gambling (= the activity of playing games of chance for money and of betting on horses, etc.)

A rose by any other name.

I presume people in the UK understand the words gambling and casino also mentioned.