Daniel Zeichner will visit the games studio Ninja Theory as well as joining representatives of the trade body UK Interactive Entertainment (Ukie), which represents over 300 games and interactive businesses across the UK – including 15 firms operating in Cambridge. Daniel will also speak with industry leaders in his capacity as Chair of the Data Analytics All-Party Parliamentary Group.
The visit comes after Ukie set up a series of regional workshops with games companies to investigate the impact of leaving the EU and to discuss responses to current Government plans.
Founded in 2004 by four partners, award winning development studio Ninja Theory combines technological innovation, art and design to produce video games with the highest production values. It has worked with the creative industries beyond video games and pioneered the use of 'performance capture' in video games.
Daniel Zeichner said: “Gaming firms in Cambridge don’t just rely on highly skilled workers from the EU. They also need a close relationship with EU member-states for data exchange and sales. The gaming industry is a great strategic strength for both Cambridge and the British economy. The Government needs to take all actions necessary to protect it from the turbulence of the current negotiations with the EU and a post-Brexit future.”
Nina Kristensen, Ninja Theory CEO, said: "Along with the movie industry, video game development is one of the shining stars of the UK creative economy. UK game creators are developing global products that require teams of the very best talent from around the world to be made. Support from the government during these uncertain times is crucial in preventing a drain of staff and revenues to other countries."
UK Interactive Entertainment (Ukie), based in Cambridge, represents over 300 of the UK’s games and interactive businesses, including multinational publishers, innovative UK-owned studios, VR and AR companies, esports tournament organisers and technology providers.
With 95% of UK games businesses exporting at least some of their products overseas, the UK industry generates over £2bn of global sales and is well placed to take a greater share of what is now a $100bn worldwide market and will have grown by a fifth by the time the UK leaves the EU. Blending technological innovation in areas like artificial intelligence with imagination and design, the games industry is a growing part of the UK’s creative industries sector; one of the six economic sectors noted by the Government to be of strategic importance in the negotiations as Britain leaves the EU and in the post-Brexit environment.
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