Next Gen. on Newsnight

Our landmark report into the state of our video games sector was featured on Newsnight.

Crisis of confidence

The video games industry is one of the UK's standout success stories, but in recent years it's fallen from third largest in the world to sixth.

At over £2 billion in global sales, the sector is bigger than either the film or music industries, and with its emphasis on high-tech knowledge and creative talent, it has just the kind of attributes the goverment hopes will provide jobs and growth for the future.

Skills gap

However a lack of skilled graduates and a more competitive environment overseas means that we are quickly falling behind the industry leaders.

As Ian Livingstone, one of our Next Gen. report authors, says: "We're very good at making games, but we need people equipped with the right skills".

Games for growth

Our landmark report, Next Gen., offers a set of clear solutions to these problems. The 20 recommendations outline steps the government can take to reinvigorate the industry and make it competitive again.

BBC technology correspondent, Rory Cellan-Jones, says in his blog that there is hope that these changes will take place: "In the past few weeks I have heard from dozens of people - from ICT teachers to games industry executives to school students - who are passionate about the need for change.

"And this revolution may be pushing at an open door. A government desperate to prove it has a growth strategy is in the mood to listen to those who say Britain can be a winner again in an industry that marries the arts and sciences."

Read our 20 recommendations for transforming the UK into a world-class hub for video games and visual effects:

Download the Next Gen. report (PDF)