Why Yorkshire's games design industry is booming

Yasmina Fadel and her team work between Pontefract and York

When the most anticipated new video game of the decade is released in 2026, its arrival on the market will be celebrated in a corner of Yorkshire.

Grand Theft Auto VI - the latest instalment of the hugely successful GTA series - is developed by the Rockstar Leeds studio.

It may be the most famous title associated with the Yorkshire games industry, but there are hundreds of smaller studios and solo developers who are hoping their ideas become the next PlayStation and Xbox hits.

They want the government to take them more seriously and encourage the sector's growth away from London.

'It's massive'

Yasmina Fadel's desk is in one of the most creative postcodes in the region.

Production Park is an unassuming business estate near the former mining community of South Kirkby, near Pontefract.

The collection of warehouse units and hangars are often used for TV filming - Netflix's Adolescence was shot here - as well as rehearsals for tours by major artists such as Coldplay and Beyonce.

There are also spaces for small businesses such as games producer Yasmina's.

Her team splits its time between Production Park and York, where they live. Their current project is Wyrd Waters, a strategy game inspired by Norse folklore.

Yasmina agrees that it is important designers feel they can progress their careers in Yorkshire.

"We wanted to be in York and we wanted to be part of the northern games scene, because we keep hearing the story of moving down to London, coming back up north, feeling like you just don't have the opportunities here.

"The government is starting to notice that the games industry is the biggest entertainment industry at the moment, and starting to put funding options out there."

She adds that the UK's industry does not enjoy the same government support as its German equivalent.

Yasmina believes the gaming boom is linked to its increasing popularity among older adults and the trend for TV and film franchises to be based on games.

"I think it's becoming destigmatised. People are becoming more educated about it, especially when we see things like big box office game titles like The Last of Us being transformed into TV series.

"It's becoming a little bit more mainstream. And I think people are starting to see, 'oh it's actually a different art form', which is where I'm hoping we all get to in the end."

Jamie Sefton from Game Republic says there is an amazing industry here

I arrange to meet Jamie Sefton from Game Republic at the National Video Games Museum in Sheffield.

With 20 years of experience, he runs the largest games networks in the north. They specialise in events, industry reports, business development and game evaluation.

His job is essentially promoting the future of the games design sector in the region.

"I do think that sometimes culturally we probably aren't as valued as film and TV, but I think it's getting better.

"I think that we're now in a generation of politicians that have grown up playing games, and they recognise the value of playing games. And I think that's only going to get better."

He adds: "80% of the games industry is outside of London, and in the north we have more than 20% of games companies here. It's a huge wealth creator.

"I mean, one of the biggest, not just games franchises, but biggest entertainment franchises in the world, Grand Theft Auto, is made in Leeds by Rockstar Leeds. So, you know, we have incredible talent here, we have amazing companies that are working here.

"Not many people realise that, and I think part of it is educating people here in the region as well, and parents of kids to say, look, there is an amazing industry here and and there is a career you can have right here."

Earlier this year the government announced a £30m Video Games Growth Package to help new studio and developers.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said that was part of a wider plan which will see £380m invested in creative industries.

"Creativity has no postcode - whether it's a musician in Leeds, a film-maker in Bradford, or a video games developer in Huddersfield."

At the end of September West Yorkshire was also given £25m to help people in Yorkshire make a business out of being creative.

'Thank Goodness You're Here' is based in the fictional town of Barnsworth

Keeping developers in Yorkshire rather than seeing them go to London would be a big win for the sector.

It's already happening with games like Hogwarts Legacy, Fall Guys, Atomfall and of course GTA, but people coming into the industry still feel the draw of the capital.

Coal Supper Games is just two lads from Barnsley. James Carbutt and Will Todd's game 'Thanks Goodness You're Here' is a hilarious take on life in their hometown.

It won the BAFTA for Best British Game earlier this year.

"I think we've got a way to go before games are recognised on a level with movies and TV," Will told the BBC on the red carpet back in April.

The duo beat some major studios to win the award.

"We really just focused on our own stuff, making silly drawings wave their arms and scream at each other.

"I think I've won the respect of my parents - finally."

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin says games designers are part of the One Creative North strategy to encourage studios to remain in the region.

"For too long, our creative industries have been disproportionately concentrated in London and the south east, fuelled by talent from the rest of the country.

"Now, this government is working with mayors to reset the dial, giving creatives across the country a fair chance to flourish, without them needing to leave to achieve."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.