The close of this year’s DICE Europe in Dundee underscored just how central Scotland has become in shaping the global games industry. With support from the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise, the week-long event began with a keynote at the Intercontinental in Edinburgh from Nintendo’s Satoru Shibata, setting the tone for discussions that spanned innovation, AI, studio sustainability, and the evolving relationship between creators and players. The choice of Scotland as host was not incidental—it was recognition of the nation’s long-standing reputation as a creative hub for game development, where studios have consistently punched above their weight on the global stage.
Nintendo’s presence, especially on the heels of its release of the Switch 2, brought international attention to Edinburgh and Dundee, with Shibata emphasizing the company’s mission to bring joy through originality. This sentiment resonated with Scotland’s own gaming ecosystem, which has been marked by bold creativity and a willingness to experiment. Chris van der Kuyl of 4J Studios, the developer responsible for bringing Minecraft to consoles, noted how titles like Rockstar’s highly anticipated GTA 6 and his own new project Reforj demonstrate the extraordinary impact Scottish talent has had on the global industry. His announcement as the inaugural chair of Interactive Entertainment Scotland—an offshoot of the UK’s trade body Ukie—signals a structural commitment to amplify Scotland’s role in the worldwide market.
The economic backdrop also framed the conversations at DICE. Global gaming revenues reached around $200 billion in 2024, with mobile gaming claiming roughly half the share. Venture capital investment in the sector has slowed after years of record highs, yet the rise of AI-driven experiences and the maturation of games as social ecosystems have ensured that the market remains both dynamic and profitable. Industry voices like Matthew Short of Aream & Co highlighted how players today treat games as communities, staying engaged far longer than publishers once imagined. This longevity has redefined revenue models, emphasizing sustained community-driven growth rather than short, hit-driven cycles.
In this context, Scotland’s position is enviable. With around 500 studios producing hundreds of new games annually, the country combines a critical mass of talent with a culture of innovation. Its developers are increasingly at the center of debates about how to balance creativity and commerce, how to harness AI without losing artistry, and how to maintain sustainability in a market that can be both rewarding and unforgiving. The DICE conference in Dundee was more than just a meeting of industry leaders—it was a statement that Scotland intends not just to participate in the gaming future but to help define it.
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