All across the world gaming is big business right now. While this digital entertainment industry has undergone unprecedented growth over the past couple of decades, swelling to a cutting edge multi-billion dollar industry, since the 2020s it’s actually managed to transcend all prior performance.
The gaming ecosystem is vast, comprising major brands and manufacturers, indie developers and individual players and there are global regions which have stood out from the pack in terms of market progressions. Interestingly, though, our humble nation has quietly but steadily made its mark on video gaming. Scotland has emerged as a powerhouse in the world of game development and innovation, with its companies and talent contributing significantly to the evolution and ongoing success of the industry.
A Brief History of Digital Gaming
If you’ve been living under a rock for the past two decades and have nothing more than a vague idea of what gaming means here in 2024, here’s a quick recap! Today, digital gaming encompasses a diverse array of genres and platforms, ranging from traditional PC and console gaming to virtual reality and augmented reality experiences.
The early 2000s, in particular, marked a major turning point in the gaming industry with the widespread integration of broadband internet. Games like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XI became cultural phenomena, attracting and connecting millions of players from all over the globe via connected technologies. Remote poker was another sector that surged in popularity during this time, fueled by the emergence of dedicated online poker platforms like PokerStars, as well as televised and streamed professional tournaments. Concurrently, mobile gaming also began gaining traction, firstly thanks to the launch of devices like the Nokia N-Gage and, later, the ubiquitous smartphone.
The rise of eSports has also been a major development in the growth of the industry, with competitive events solidifying gaming’s place in mainstream culture. The popularity of eSports among the global gaming community has facilitated the emergence of dedicated streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming. Meanwhile the growth of pro gaming leagues (Overwatch League, LoL Championship Series etc), and the inclusion of eSports as either medal events or supported tournaments at major sporting championships like the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games, demonstrates the industry’s continued influence and expansion.
Where Does Scotland Fit In?
Scotland’s journey within the gaming industry can actually be traced all the way back to the early days of home computing and the release of video game consoles. The region’s vibrant tech scene, fueled by world-class learning institutions and supportive government administration, became a fertile ground for aspiring game developers to thrive. Companies like DMA Design (now known as Rockstar North) and Sensible Software laid the groundwork for Scotland’s gaming legacy with iconic titles such as Lemmings and even Grand Theft Auto.
Today, Scotland boasts a diverse and dynamic gaming ecosystem, with a plethora of studios spanning various genres and platforms. Rockstar North continues to be a driving force in the industry, producing critically acclaimed titles that have become synonymous with the open-world gaming trend. Other notable Scottish studios include 4J Studios, known for their work on the immensely popular console editions of Minecraft, as well as Rockstar Dundee, which recently joined the global Rockstar Games corporation.
The country’s impact on gaming goes beyond just design and development too. Over the years, Scotland has been making significant contributions to the broader gaming industry via education, research and innovation. Dundee’s Abertay University launched the first degree programme focused exclusively on video games in 1997 and has been joined by a further seven institutions since, including two institutions based in Glasgow (Glasgow Caledonian, the Glasgow School of Art), the University of the West of Scotland, and the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Scotland’s reputation for innovation in the industry has even extended to more current gaming trends, such as the augmented and virtual reality sectors. Companies like eeGeo and Wolfson Microelectronics are driving noticeable advancements in immersive technologies, further cementing Scotland’s rightful place in the gaming ecology even as it undergoes its next cycle of evolution.