Looking to enhance your skills as a games designer or developer? Here are 5 amazing facts about the industry that will spur you on for Postgraduate study!

A Master’s in Games Development could be one of the best things you do for your career. The games sector is bigger and bolder than it’s ever been, and there’s never been a more significant time to upskill.

Gamers are taking over the entertainment world (or just the world), and now is the time to embrace this explosive trend where video games surpass movies as the number one pastime.

The digital generation is still growing, so careers in gaming are certainly very safe. But to really future-proof your job, it’s important to keep your skills, knowledge and training up-to-date. In a fast-paced industry, professional development matters.

Here are some mind-blowing facts about the industry that will inspire you to do a Master’s in Games Development at the University of Bolton.

1. The market is worth over £100 billion right now

In 2019, the global games sector was valued at £109.49 billion, and there has been considerable growth ever since. According to stats, the market is set to reach £186 billion in less than five years, with a predicted growth rate of 9.17% from 2020 to 2025.

This industry is now a bigger money spinner than movies and music put together. And in the UK, it accounts for more than half of the entire entertainment market.

For those pursuing careers in gaming, this is a great time to build your reputation and portfolio. With a high rate of forecasted growth, improving your skills in this sector will give you access to some of the best jobs and salaries available.

2. There’s 2.7 billion gamers (and growing)

According to Statista, there are now more than 2.7 billion gamers worldwide. The rise in gaming is not about to slow down either, with online pushing the industry forward and making it one of the fastest growing global industries.

Doing a Master’s in Games Development not only updates your skills and puts you at the forefront of this prolific market, but it helps you maintain relevant skills for the future.

Everybody’s playing games, and these figures will continue to be on the up as Generation Z takes over millennials.

3. Gaming isn’t just for kids…

Being a gamer is a largely adult activity, which highlights the importance of this hobby and its impact on society. In fact, research shows that 70% of video gamers are aged 18 or higher.

Gaming has created thriving communities of people in the online space, forming entire subcultures. The outdated view that gaming is bad for you is quickly on its way out too, with plenty of research now revealing the positive effects of gaming, including increased creativity and better mental health.

4. Gamers aren’t just men either!

That’s right, female gamers are coming into their own, making the games sector an increasingly important field for promoting gender equality. Women are particularly prevalent within the world of mobile games, with 63% of mobile gamers being female (outweighing male mobile gamers at 37%).

The same research also shows that 60% of these female mobile gamers play daily, and many identify as “core gamers” (people who dedicate a large amount of time to this activity).

If you’re a female developer looking at careers in gaming, this is an empowering time to make your mark on the industry. A Master’s in Games Development can give you the advanced skills and knowledge to excel, giving you a chance to move into senior management.

5. Video games are good for the brain

Talk about job satisfaction! Not only do games developers make people happy with what they design, but they are also contributing to better cognitive health.

A study by the University of Iowa shows that playing video games can help to slow down mental decay. Gaming exercises the mind, which can help it stay sharper and prevent the process of ageing. There’s also evidence to suggest that it can support decision-making and make people more sociable.

Love gaming? Don’t forget to share this blog to promote the importance of the games sector.

To find out more about improving your skills in this field, head over to our MA Games Development course page.