According to a recent survey, nearly 40% of games developers based in the UK are considering relocating in the wake of Brexit. Most of them are afraid of a loss in international talent from European countries that would lead to a skills shortage. The survey found that 57% of the British games companies have employees from the European Union, who represent an average 1/3 of all workers in those companies.



Close to 100% of respondents believe that EU nationals possessing the necessary skills should be given a blanket right to work in the United Kingdom in the future. They think that given a shortage of skilled British candidates, barriers for foreign workers willing to live and work in the United Kingdom would have a negative impact on the industry.

According to the recent market valuation, the United Kingdom is the 6th largest games market in the world in terms of consumer revenues. There are more than 2,000 games companies in the country that employ 12,100 full-time workers.

In the meantime, the future of retail is also under question, because about 1/3 of the market share is derived from physical sales, which may be subject to tariffs when the country leaves the European Union. Games retailers understand that and closely monitor the potential future changes in this regard, saying that it is important to them that the United Kingdom retains the current ease of trade. The UK games companies also worry about non-tariff barriers like content restrictions and data localization.

Pre-referendum surveys revealed that the local games industry was largely against Brexit and now will have to make sure it gets the best possible deal, stressing the importance of improving the immigration system and maintaining ease of trade.