Employment in the UK games development sector grew by 4% last year, the trade association representing the games industry said.
The new research by Tiga, based on an extensive survey of UK games businesses, said the growth ended a three-year decline in employment.
The growth in the Scottish sector could be even higher, according to one Dundee-based industry expert.
Brian Baglow, head of the Scottish Games Network, said: “In Scotland specifically in the last 24 months we’ve seen a huge amount of growth.
“When I started working in the industry in 1994/5 we had six companies. Those were quite large but they’ve all fallen by the wayside.
“They’ve been replaced by micro-studios,” he said.
“Where we are now is we have 90 development companies in Scotland,” he added.
“Tiga’s report doesn’t surprise me. I would have thought it was potentially a bit more in Scotland purely because we have so many of these little studios.
“It’s very encouraging.”
The report reveals annual investment by studios rose from £411 million to £427m between 2011 and 2012.
Mr Baglow said the long-term sustainability of the market was unknown.
“While there’s no question apps are going to be around for a long time, the business model and the discoverability of apps are under question,” he said.
“It’s all brand new and incredibly exciting. It’s a completely different marketplace and way of doing business.”
Tiga chief executive Dr Richard Wilson said the UK games development sector has taken off despite the economic climate.
“Employment, investment and start-ups are up,” he said. “The games development industry is growing again.”
He said the growth has been driven by the increasing prevalence of mobile and tablet devices, the explosion of small start-up companies and the advent of games tax relief.
He said: “Games tax relief effectively reduces the cost of games development and it has contributed to inward investment by major international games companies in British studios in 2012.
“Jobs and investment in the games industry are set to grow further once games Tax relief comes into effect from April 2013.”
Dr Wilson warned that the industry has not recovered to 2008 levels yet.
“The UK games industry suffered badly during the last four years without games tax relief. Developer headcount and investment levels remain below the 2008 peak,” he said.
“Additionally, start-up studios are vulnerable.
“At least 21% of start-ups in 2010-12 have already gone under.
“Our challenge now and Tiga’s top priority is to help build sustainable independent games development and digital publishing businesses.
“Tiga will do this by delivering services that improve developers’ access to finance and which enhance their commercial skills.”
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