Scotland's video game industry has expanded significantly, with government figures showing approximately 130 games companies operating in the country in 2024, an increase from 15 in 2010. Over the same period, the industry's turnover grew from £38.1 million to £339.7 million.
The original Grand Theft Auto game was developed by Scottish studio DMA Design in Dundee almost 30 years ago. DMA Design later became Rockstar North, which is now based in Edinburgh and employs over 1,000 people.
Chris van der Kuyl, co-founder of VIS Entertainment and 4J Studios, believes Scotland is now recognised internationally as a leading location for game development. 4J Studios, which adapted Minecraft for consoles, employs 57 people.
Despite the growth, challenges remain for smaller studios. Jon McKellan, co-founder of Glasgow-based Screen Burn, noted the difficulty for smaller companies to attract attention due to the dominance of Rockstar North. He also highlighted the challenge of sustaining studios and creating enough opportunities to retain graduates in Scotland.
Brian Baglow, who worked on the original GTA, stated that the biggest challenge for developers today is finding players, as increased accessibility to development tools has intensified competition for audiences.