#scotlandsgamesactionplan — Public Fediverse posts

Missing In Action: Why Scotland’s Games Action Plan is the Scale-Up Engine Sir Tom Hunter is Looking For

Sir Tom Hunter recently issued a challenge to the country: The Entrepreneurs Manifesto for Scotland. It is a bold, necessary, and unapologetic call for a ‘laser focus’ on scaling businesses, driving productivity, and embracing the AI revolution. Sir Tom asks: “Why doesn’t the Government call on us to help grow the Scottish economy and increase the tax take?”

It is an excellent question. But as I read through the manifesto, I noticed a familiar omission. The word “games” doesn’t appear once. In the inspiring video which accompanied the launch of the manifesto, musicians, artists, inventors, industrialists, authors, actors, sports stars, and entrepreneurs all feature, but apart from a brief clip of GTA (at around 2m 38s), games are missing in action.

This isn’t just a missed opportunity for a single sector; it is a missed opportunity for Scotland’s entire innovation strategy. If Sir Tom is looking for the “secret weapon” that exemplifies every goal in his manifesto, we’d like to invite him to read the Level Up Scotland Games Action Plan.

No New Quangos: Skilling Up, Not Building Up

Sir Tom’s manifesto is clear: Scotland is over-regulated and burdened by a fragmented landscape of agencies and quangos. It calls for a “Digital Front Door” and a consolidation of support.

Our Action Plan agrees. Unlike the traditional approach of building new, expensive, and isolated government bodies, Level Up Scotland is based entirely upon using existing infrastructure. Whether it is leveraging the Techscaler network or working within the existing college and university framework, our plan is about skilling up, not building up. We propose injecting specialised games-industry expertise into the agencies we already have – making them faster, more efficient, and better equipped to handle the ongoing evolution of the global games ecosystem. We don’t want more red tape; we want to give our existing enterprise system the ‘cheat codes’ it needs to understand the global games market.

The Paradox of Plenty: Talent Without a Track

Scotland currently boasts one of the most robust games education pipelines in the world. Our colleges and universities are producing thousands of world-class graduates every year. These are young people who aren’t just “looking for jobs” – they are creating incredible, creative technologies and IP as part of their studies.

And then, the system fails them.

There is currently almost zero expert support for games entrepreneurship or publishing within our national enterprise agencies. We have high-density talent being met with low-density support. These students create potentially world-beating IP, but they are never given exposure to the market, nor the encouragement or funding to turn a student project into a sustainable business. We are effectively leaving our most creative entrepreneurs at the altar of an increasingly competitive global market.

Ethical AI: The “Golden Thread” of Innovation

Sir Tom identifies AI as the “biggest opportunity for our country.” In the games sector, we aren’t just using AI; we are the pioneers. Games technology is the ‘Golden Thread‘ connecting creative IP to healthcare, manufacturing, and education.

Our proposed National Games Innovation Centre (NGIC) is designed to be the physical and digital home for this revolution. But we aren’t just chasing tech for tech’s sake. We are positioning Scotland as the global leader in Ethical Games AI. By enshrining responsible innovation at the heart of our Supercluster, we give Scotland a unique competitive advantage on the world stage – attracting investment from those who want to build the future the right way.

Building Beyond the Pioneers

Scotland has seen the success that comes from building sustainable, world-class companies that grow, hire, and pay significant tax. We know the value of ‘anchor’ studios that put Scotland on the map. But a healthy ecosystem cannot rely on a handful of pioneers alone.

To reach Sir Tom’s goal of doubling scale-ups, we must support the “missing middle” – the indie developers, single creators and small teams currently taking new products to market with zero guidance or dedicated funding. We need case studies of success from every corner of Scotland, demonstrating that high-productivity entrepreneurship (already delivering £151,382 GVA per head) is achievable for anyone with the talent and the drive.

A Call to Action for the Hunter Foundation

Sir Tom, your manifesto says: “Can we do it? Aye we can.” We agree. But we can’t do it by ignoring one of the most creative, technically advanced and productive sectors in the country. Our Action Plan is the ‘Game-Ready’ implementation of your vision – focused on scale, efficiency, and the AI opportunity.

Let’s stop leaving our entrepreneurs at the starting gate. Let’s weave the Golden Thread of games into The Entrepreneurs Manifesto For Scotland.

Sir Tom, you can find, read and download Scotland’s National Games Action Plan here.

I’d love the chance to talk to you about it.

~ Brian

The World is Watching: Let’s Level Up Scotland

If I’m honest, I’m still trying to process the last week…

After two years of trying to deliver Scotland’s Games Action Plan – running workshops, pulling together over a thousand data points, separating the practical and achievable from the aspirational, and finding ways to work with the country’s existing infrastructure – we finally handed Level Up Scotland over to the country last Wednesday.

The impact was immediate, and frankly, a little overwhelming.

80 People, Two Cities, One Voice

We held two events in one day. In the morning, we filled a room at CodeBase Edinburgh with MSPs, media, and industry leaders like Mark Logan. By the afternoon, we were in the Abertay CyberQuarter in Dundee, surrounded by the developers and educators who are the heart and soul of this sector.

In total, over 80 of you showed up. Seeing those rooms full didn’t just mean a lot to me personally; it sent a real message to the people in parliament: This isn’t just a report. This is a unified community demanding a different future.

The World is Watching

The media response has been equally powerful. We didn’t just get a mention; we started a national conversation. From the front page of the Sunday Herald to deep-dives in the global industry press, the message that Scotland’s games sector is a ‘secret weapon’ with a £151k GVA per head is now impossible to ignore.

Scotland’s Games Action Plan: Press Coverage

• Sunday Herald (front page and 4 x pages inside)
• Scotland On Sunday
• PocketGamer.biz
• GamesIndustry.biz (REALLY in-depth. They read the whole thing!)
• DIGIT.FYI
• STV News (scroll in to 10m 15s)
• The National
• White Nights Hub
• Holyrood Magazine
• Videogames Industry Memo
• Gamespress
• The Courier

Help Needed: Scotland’s Games Action Plan Debate In Holyrood

When we started this two years ago, the goal was to end the fragmentation of our sector. Looking at the “Wall of Support” and the names supporting that Parliamentary motion, I think we can say we’ve made a strong case. However, we’re not quite there yet. I need your help one more time.

We need the debate in parliament. We need the government to understand how important games could be to Scotland’s creative and economic future. If you want something more tangible and a reason to get in touch with your MSP, consider that the Action Plan has direct funding for game developers (for new IP and Co-development), dedicated and expert business support for games companies and representation within the government.

Share The Love – Tell The World

Let’s keep the pressure on. Please share any and all of the above stories from the media on your social media channels. Get in touch with your local MSPs and ask them directly to support Motion S6M-20521.

You can find your MSPs using your postcode here. I’ve created a draft template to send to your MSP here (Google Docs link). Most of the MSPs have social media links (usually Twitter/X) on their individual pages. So do please tag them on there as well and share one or two of the above media stories, or link directly to the Action Plan itself.

With one last push, we can make sure games are not just part of the national agenda, but an integrated and important part of our shared digital future.

Thank you,

B

Ready To Level Up? Looking Back at 2025 and the Four-Body Problem Facing Scotland in 2026

As we head rapidly for the holidays, it’s time for the Scottish Games Network (me) to do what we always promise: be the ‘Honest Architect’ for our ecosystem. That means celebrating the victories, acknowledging the foundations we’ve laid, and – most importantly – address the real structural challenges waiting for us in the new year.

2025 has been, frankly, turbulent. We’ve seen national highs – like some of the excellent events springing up across the whole of Scotland, the new talent support from organisations such as SGDA, Game Space (and SGN) – but also the deep, personal impact of global layoffs and job losses across our whole community.

Yet, despite the headwinds, the belief in our sector’s potential has never been higher. My personal highlight of the year was delivering the closing keynote at the TechUK Digital Economy Conference. The response in the room to the potential of games, their value to the UK’s tech sector and the ‘More Than Games’ mindset was incredible. I’ve had more connections and strategic conversations following that event than almost any other. It proved to me that the external appetite for understanding and engaging with games as a central economic and cultural engine is huge. The doors are open. I’ll ensure that more events like this happen in 2026.

The Victory: The Scottish Games Action Plan

The biggest victory of 2025 is the completion of our ‘billion-pound blueprint’. Yes, after two years, I’m delighted to share that the Scottish Games Action Plan is complete. The final notes are with the graphic designer, and I’ll be sharing the completed document with trusted individuals in the coming days. We are now actively looking for the perfect launch date and venue in early 2026.

The Games Action Plan is our collective roadmap. Based on over 1000 data points, drawn from over 250 organisations and individuals across Scotland, it is detailed, strategic, and gives us a unified voice to take to government, education, and the wider creative sector. The goal is simple, make Scotland, the UK’s first games ‘supercluster’.

The Challenge: The Four-Body Problem

However, as we look to execute the Games Action Plan in 2026, we must address the single biggest risk to its success: fragmentation.

We now have four separate, significant, and well-intentioned organisations operating in very similar areas within the ecosystem:

1. SGN: The independent, non-profit ecosystem builder. Online resource hub, editorial channel, event organiser, educator and advocacy org.
2. SGDA: By game developers, for game developers, focused on studio membership, Scottish-Government-funded to run the developer accelerator
3. GameSpace: Business-focused ecosystem org, running the UK-Government-funded business incubator.
4. IES (Interactive Entertainment Scotland): The new Scottish arm of the UK trade body, UKIE. Focused on advocacy and policy.

All four are critically important, but the sheer number of initiatives running in parallel creates the potential for confusion, duplication of effort, and – most dangerously – dilution of the limited resources and attention span of our public sector partners.

The Question for 2026 is simple: How do we align?

As the Honest Architect (and OG), I must question how we ensure every one of these initiatives works together to support the Games Action Plan. We cannot afford to have these great new organisations pulling in different directions. The challenge for all four organisations – myself included – is to establish a framework for collaboration, synergy, and clear boundaries that benefit the entire Scottish games ecosystem.

I’ve already spoken to the teams at SGDA and Game Space. I hope to catch up with the new policy advisor from IES in early January.

2026: Scottish Games ‘Fest’ and a Call to Action

On a personal note, I will be looking to focus my efforts on two key areas next year: making the Games Action Plan a reality and making Scotland’s games ecosystem more visible, connected and collaborative.

I am thrilled to formally tease the biggest announcement on the SGN calendar: the inaugural Scottish Games ‘Fest’ (SGF), scheduled for September 2026. This will be a multi-day event designed to put Scotland on the global map. Planning is underway, and I will be looking to the community for support and partnership in the new year to make this a reality.

Finally, a call to every single developer, freelancer, and student: We need your stories.

The narrative of 2026 cannot just be about politics and funding. It must be about the incredible games being made here. The studios, the events, the good work being created across the whole country.

Send us your news, your releases, your updates, and your milestones. Help us show the world why Scotland is more active – and creative – than ever. I’m looking for new writers and partners to expand our coverage into Company profiles, studio interviews, opinion pieces, thought leadership and sector analysis.

Have a safe, peaceful (and fun) well-earned break. The foundations are laid. Now, let’s all go build the future.

Ready To Level Up? Looking Back at 2025 and the Four-Body Problem Facing Scotland in 2026

As we head rapidly for the holidays, it’s time for the Scottish Games Network (me) to do what we always promise: be the ‘Honest Architect’ for our ecosystem. That means celebrating the victories, acknowledging the foundations we’ve laid, and – most importantly – address the real structural challenges waiting for us in the new year.

2025 has been, frankly, turbulent. We’ve seen national highs – like some of the excellent events springing up across the whole of Scotland, the new talent support from organisations such as SGDA, Game Space (and SGN) – but also the deep, personal impact of global layoffs and job losses across our whole community.

Yet, despite the headwinds, the belief in our sector’s potential has never been higher. My personal highlight of the year was delivering the closing keynote at the TechUK Digital Economy Conference. The response in the room to the potential of games, their value to the UK’s tech sector and the ‘More Than Games’ mindset was incredible. I’ve had more connections and strategic conversations following that event than almost any other. It proved to me that the external appetite for understanding and engaging with games as a central economic and cultural engine is huge. The doors are open. I’ll ensure that more events like this happen in 2026.

The Victory: The Scottish Games Action Plan

The biggest victory of 2025 is the completion of our ‘billion-pound blueprint’. Yes, after two years, I’m delighted to share that the Scottish Games Action Plan is complete. The final notes are with the graphic designer, and I’ll be sharing the completed document with trusted individuals in the coming days. We are now actively looking for the perfect launch date and venue in early 2026.

The Games Action Plan is our collective roadmap. Based on over 1000 data points, drawn from over 250 organisations and individuals across Scotland, it is detailed, strategic, and gives us a unified voice to take to government, education, and the wider creative sector. The goal is simple, make Scotland, the UK’s first games ‘supercluster’.

The Challenge: The Four-Body Problem

However, as we look to execute the Games Action Plan in 2026, we must address the single biggest risk to its success: fragmentation.

We now have four separate, significant, and well-intentioned organisations operating in very similar areas within the ecosystem:

1. SGN: The independent, non-profit ecosystem builder. Online resource hub, editorial channel, event organiser, educator and advocacy org.
2. SGDA: By game developers, for game developers, focused on studio membership, Scottish-Government-funded to run the developer accelerator
3. GameSpace: Business-focused ecosystem org, running the UK-Government-funded business incubator.
4. IES (Interactive Entertainment Scotland): The new Scottish arm of the UK trade body, UKIE. Focused on advocacy and policy.

All four are critically important, but the sheer number of initiatives running in parallel creates the potential for confusion, duplication of effort, and – most dangerously – dilution of the limited resources and attention span of our public sector partners.

The Question for 2026 is simple: How do we align?

As the Honest Architect (and OG), I must question how we ensure every one of these initiatives works together to support the Games Action Plan. We cannot afford to have these great new organisations pulling in different directions. The challenge for all four organisations – myself included – is to establish a framework for collaboration, synergy, and clear boundaries that benefit the entire Scottish games ecosystem.

I’ve already spoken to the teams at SGDA and Game Space. I hope to catch up with the new policy advisor from IES in early January.

2026: Scottish Games ‘Fest’ and a Call to Action

On a personal note, I will be looking to focus my efforts on two key areas next year: making the Games Action Plan a reality and making Scotland’s games ecosystem more visible, connected and collaborative.

I am thrilled to formally tease the biggest announcement on the SGN calendar: the inaugural Scottish Games ‘Fest’ (SGF), scheduled for September 2026. This will be a multi-day event designed to put Scotland on the global map. Planning is underway, and I will be looking to the community for support and partnership in the new year to make this a reality.

Finally, a call to every single developer, freelancer, and student: We need your stories.

The narrative of 2026 cannot just be about politics and funding. It must be about the incredible games being made here. The studios, the events, the good work being created across the whole country.

Send us your news, your releases, your updates, and your milestones. Help us show the world why Scotland is more active – and creative – than ever. I’m looking for new writers and partners to expand our coverage into Company profiles, studio interviews, opinion pieces, thought leadership and sector analysis.

Have a safe, peaceful (and fun) well-earned break. The foundations are laid. Now, let’s all go build the future.

Ready To Level Up? Looking Back at 2025 and the Four-Body Problem Facing Scotland in 2026

As we head rapidly for the holidays, it’s time for the Scottish Games Network (me) to do what we always promise: be the ‘Honest Architect’ for our ecosystem. That means celebrating the victories, acknowledging the foundations we’ve laid, and – most importantly – address the real structural challenges waiting for us in the new year.

2025 has been, frankly, turbulent. We’ve seen national highs – like some of the excellent events springing up across the whole of Scotland, the new talent support from organisations such as SGDA, Game Space (and SGN) – but also the deep, personal impact of global layoffs and job losses across our whole community.

Yet, despite the headwinds, the belief in our sector’s potential has never been higher. My personal highlight of the year was delivering the closing keynote at the TechUK Digital Economy Conference. The response in the room to the potential of games, their value to the UK’s tech sector and the ‘More Than Games’ mindset was incredible. I’ve had more connections and strategic conversations following that event than almost any other. It proved to me that the external appetite for understanding and engaging with games as a central economic and cultural engine is huge. The doors are open. I’ll ensure that more events like this happen in 2026.

The Victory: The Scottish Games Action Plan

The biggest victory of 2025 is the completion of our ‘billion-pound blueprint’. Yes, after two years, I’m delighted to share that the Scottish Games Action Plan is complete. The final notes are with the graphic designer, and I’ll be sharing the completed document with trusted individuals in the coming days. We are now actively looking for the perfect launch date and venue in early 2026.

The Games Action Plan is our collective roadmap. Based on over 1000 data points, drawn from over 250 organisations and individuals across Scotland, it is detailed, strategic, and gives us a unified voice to take to government, education, and the wider creative sector. The goal is simple, make Scotland, the UK’s first games ‘supercluster’.

The Challenge: The Four-Body Problem

However, as we look to execute the Games Action Plan in 2026, we must address the single biggest risk to its success: fragmentation.

We now have four separate, significant, and well-intentioned organisations operating in very similar areas within the ecosystem:

1. SGN: The independent, non-profit ecosystem builder. Online resource hub, editorial channel, event organiser, educator and advocacy org.
2. SGDA: By game developers, for game developers, focused on studio membership, Scottish-Government-funded to run the developer accelerator
3. GameSpace: Business-focused ecosystem org, running the UK-Government-funded business incubator.
4. IES (Interactive Entertainment Scotland): The new Scottish arm of the UK trade body, UKIE. Focused on advocacy and policy.

All four are critically important, but the sheer number of initiatives running in parallel creates the potential for confusion, duplication of effort, and – most dangerously – dilution of the limited resources and attention span of our public sector partners.

The Question for 2026 is simple: How do we align?

As the Honest Architect (and OG), I must question how we ensure every one of these initiatives works together to support the Games Action Plan. We cannot afford to have these great new organisations pulling in different directions. The challenge for all four organisations – myself included – is to establish a framework for collaboration, synergy, and clear boundaries that benefit the entire Scottish games ecosystem.

I’ve already spoken to the teams at SGDA and Game Space. I hope to catch up with the new policy advisor from IES in early January.

2026: Scottish Games ‘Fest’ and a Call to Action

On a personal note, I will be looking to focus my efforts on two key areas next year: making the Games Action Plan a reality and making Scotland’s games ecosystem more visible, connected and collaborative.

I am thrilled to formally tease the biggest announcement on the SGN calendar: the inaugural Scottish Games ‘Fest’ (SGF), scheduled for September 2026. This will be a multi-day event designed to put Scotland on the global map. Planning is underway, and I will be looking to the community for support and partnership in the new year to make this a reality.

Finally, a call to every single developer, freelancer, and student: We need your stories.

The narrative of 2026 cannot just be about politics and funding. It must be about the incredible games being made here. The studios, the events, the good work being created across the whole country.

Send us your news, your releases, your updates, and your milestones. Help us show the world why Scotland is more active – and creative – than ever. I’m looking for new writers and partners to expand our coverage into Company profiles, studio interviews, opinion pieces, thought leadership and sector analysis.

Have a safe, peaceful (and fun) well-earned break. The foundations are laid. Now, let’s all go build the future.

Ready To Level Up? Looking Back at 2025 and the Four-Body Problem Facing Scotland in 2026

As we head rapidly for the holidays, it’s time for the Scottish Games Network (me) to do what we always promise: be the ‘Honest Architect’ for our ecosystem. That means celebrating the victories, acknowledging the foundations we’ve laid, and – most importantly – address the real structural challenges waiting for us in the new year.

2025 has been, frankly, turbulent. We’ve seen national highs – like some of the excellent events springing up across the whole of Scotland, the new talent support from organisations such as SGDA, Game Space (and SGN) – but also the deep, personal impact of global layoffs and job losses across our whole community.

Yet, despite the headwinds, the belief in our sector’s potential has never been higher. My personal highlight of the year was delivering the closing keynote at the TechUK Digital Economy Conference. The response in the room to the potential of games, their value to the UK’s tech sector and the ‘More Than Games’ mindset was incredible. I’ve had more connections and strategic conversations following that event than almost any other. It proved to me that the external appetite for understanding and engaging with games as a central economic and cultural engine is huge. The doors are open. I’ll ensure that more events like this happen in 2026.

The Victory: The Scottish Games Action Plan

The biggest victory of 2025 is the completion of our ‘billion-pound blueprint’. Yes, after two years, I’m delighted to share that the Scottish Games Action Plan is complete. The final notes are with the graphic designer, and I’ll be sharing the completed document with trusted individuals in the coming days. We are now actively looking for the perfect launch date and venue in early 2026.

The Games Action Plan is our collective roadmap. Based on over 1000 data points, drawn from over 250 organisations and individuals across Scotland, it is detailed, strategic, and gives us a unified voice to take to government, education, and the wider creative sector. The goal is simple, make Scotland, the UK’s first games ‘supercluster’.

The Challenge: The Four-Body Problem

However, as we look to execute the Games Action Plan in 2026, we must address the single biggest risk to its success: fragmentation.

We now have four separate, significant, and well-intentioned organisations operating in very similar areas within the ecosystem:

1. SGN: The independent, non-profit ecosystem builder. Online resource hub, editorial channel, event organiser, educator and advocacy org.
2. SGDA: By game developers, for game developers, focused on studio membership, Scottish-Government-funded to run the developer accelerator
3. GameSpace: Business-focused ecosystem org, running the UK-Government-funded business incubator.
4. IES (Interactive Entertainment Scotland): The new Scottish arm of the UK trade body, UKIE. Focused on advocacy and policy.

All four are critically important, but the sheer number of initiatives running in parallel creates the potential for confusion, duplication of effort, and – most dangerously – dilution of the limited resources and attention span of our public sector partners.

The Question for 2026 is simple: How do we align?

As the Honest Architect (and OG), I must question how we ensure every one of these initiatives works together to support the Games Action Plan. We cannot afford to have these great new organisations pulling in different directions. The challenge for all four organisations – myself included – is to establish a framework for collaboration, synergy, and clear boundaries that benefit the entire Scottish games ecosystem.

I’ve already spoken to the teams at SGDA and Game Space. I hope to catch up with the new policy advisor from IES in early January.

2026: Scottish Games ‘Fest’ and a Call to Action

On a personal note, I will be looking to focus my efforts on two key areas next year: making the Games Action Plan a reality and making Scotland’s games ecosystem more visible, connected and collaborative.

I am thrilled to formally tease the biggest announcement on the SGN calendar: the inaugural Scottish Games ‘Fest’ (SGF), scheduled for September 2026. This will be a multi-day event designed to put Scotland on the global map. Planning is underway, and I will be looking to the community for support and partnership in the new year to make this a reality.

Finally, a call to every single developer, freelancer, and student: We need your stories.

The narrative of 2026 cannot just be about politics and funding. It must be about the incredible games being made here. The studios, the events, the good work being created across the whole country.

Send us your news, your releases, your updates, and your milestones. Help us show the world why Scotland is more active – and creative – than ever. I’m looking for new writers and partners to expand our coverage into Company profiles, studio interviews, opinion pieces, thought leadership and sector analysis.

Have a safe, peaceful (and fun) well-earned break. The foundations are laid. Now, let’s all go build the future.

Ready To Level Up? Looking Back at 2025 and the Four-Body Problem Facing Scotland in 2026

As we head rapidly for the holidays, it’s time for the Scottish Games Network (me) to do what we always promise: be the ‘Honest Architect’ for our ecosystem. That means celebrating the victories, acknowledging the foundations we’ve laid, and – most importantly – address the real structural challenges waiting for us in the new year.

2025 has been, frankly, turbulent. We’ve seen national highs – like some of the excellent events springing up across the whole of Scotland, the new talent support from organisations such as SGDA, Game Space (and SGN) – but also the deep, personal impact of global layoffs and job losses across our whole community.

Yet, despite the headwinds, the belief in our sector’s potential has never been higher. My personal highlight of the year was delivering the closing keynote at the TechUK Digital Economy Conference. The response in the room to the potential of games, their value to the UK’s tech sector and the ‘More Than Games’ mindset was incredible. I’ve had more connections and strategic conversations following that event than almost any other. It proved to me that the external appetite for understanding and engaging with games as a central economic and cultural engine is huge. The doors are open. I’ll ensure that more events like this happen in 2026.

The Victory: The Scottish Games Action Plan

The biggest victory of 2025 is the completion of our ‘billion-pound blueprint’. Yes, after two years, I’m delighted to share that the Scottish Games Action Plan is complete. The final notes are with the graphic designer, and I’ll be sharing the completed document with trusted individuals in the coming days. We are now actively looking for the perfect launch date and venue in early 2026.

The Games Action Plan is our collective roadmap. Based on over 1000 data points, drawn from over 250 organisations and individuals across Scotland, it is detailed, strategic, and gives us a unified voice to take to government, education, and the wider creative sector. The goal is simple, make Scotland, the UK’s first games ‘supercluster’.

The Challenge: The Four-Body Problem

However, as we look to execute the Games Action Plan in 2026, we must address the single biggest risk to its success: fragmentation.

We now have four separate, significant, and well-intentioned organisations operating in very similar areas within the ecosystem:

1. SGN: The independent, non-profit ecosystem builder. Online resource hub, editorial channel, event organiser, educator and advocacy org.
2. SGDA: By game developers, for game developers, focused on studio membership, Scottish-Government-funded to run the developer accelerator
3. GameSpace: Business-focused ecosystem org, running the UK-Government-funded business incubator.
4. IES (Interactive Entertainment Scotland): The new Scottish arm of the UK trade body, UKIE. Focused on advocacy and policy.

All four are critically important, but the sheer number of initiatives running in parallel creates the potential for confusion, duplication of effort, and – most dangerously – dilution of the limited resources and attention span of our public sector partners.

The Question for 2026 is simple: How do we align?

As the Honest Architect (and OG), I must question how we ensure every one of these initiatives works together to support the Games Action Plan. We cannot afford to have these great new organisations pulling in different directions. The challenge for all four organisations – myself included – is to establish a framework for collaboration, synergy, and clear boundaries that benefit the entire Scottish games ecosystem.

I’ve already spoken to the teams at SGDA and Game Space. I hope to catch up with the new policy advisor from IES in early January.

2026: Scottish Games ‘Fest’ and a Call to Action

On a personal note, I will be looking to focus my efforts on two key areas next year: making the Games Action Plan a reality and making Scotland’s games ecosystem more visible, connected and collaborative.

I am thrilled to formally tease the biggest announcement on the SGN calendar: the inaugural Scottish Games ‘Fest’ (SGF), scheduled for September 2026. This will be a multi-day event designed to put Scotland on the global map. Planning is underway, and I will be looking to the community for support and partnership in the new year to make this a reality.

Finally, a call to every single developer, freelancer, and student: We need your stories.

The narrative of 2026 cannot just be about politics and funding. It must be about the incredible games being made here. The studios, the events, the good work being created across the whole country.

Send us your news, your releases, your updates, and your milestones. Help us show the world why Scotland is more active – and creative – than ever. I’m looking for new writers and partners to expand our coverage into Company profiles, studio interviews, opinion pieces, thought leadership and sector analysis.

Have a safe, peaceful (and fun) well-earned break. The foundations are laid. Now, let’s all go build the future.