Has the UK games industry shrunk?

The UK government reported a sharp decline in revenue year-on-year to 2012, but others believe incomplete information was used.

The games industry was estimated to have contributed £540 million to the UK economy in 2012, just over half of its estimated 2011 value of £946 million.

But it's not all bad news. 2011 was a particularly strong year: looking more long-term, 2012's revenue was still up compared to 2010 and earlier.

In addition, the number of people working in the industry has increased by 19% from 2011, to around 15,000.

But the Association for UK Interactive Entertainment believes that the estimates, conducted by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, may have been using incomplete data. The UKIE is looking to work with the Office for National Statistics and local developers to ensure the figures are accurate, in order to highlight the importance of the industry in the economy.

Thanks, Games Industry.