The Develop conference in Brighton revealed a somber mood in the UK games industry, with many developers reporting project cancellations and layoffs. Concerns arose that these trends could lead to empty release schedules for significant titles by 2026 and 2027. Despite this pessimism, discussions highlighted a shift towards positive recognition of games within political circles, including acknowledgment of games' educational value and therapeutic potential. However, apprehensions persist about the integration of AI in game development, reflecting uncertainty about future implications within the industry.
This year, after many months of cuts and closures, the mood has been dour. On Tuesday, I spoke to many coders, artists and studio heads who have had games cancelled, staff axed and deals obliterated.
Several senior developers predicted that the recent savage cuts to staff numbers and game projects will lead to a gaping black hole in the release schedules of many triple-A publishers in late 2026 and 2027.
Nick Poole, CEO of the trade body Ukie, welcomed a more positive view of the industry among politicians and policymakers in Westminster. Suddenly, politicians are talking to us about the educational reach of games.
Cassia Curran expressed concerns surrounding the use of AI, especially large language models, in game development, emphasizing the industry’s uncertainty regarding its future applications.
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