Video Games Development

The games industry is thriving, with the UK video games market valued at £7.05 billion in 2022. But, with any fast-growing market there’s challenges, and for the games industry these challenges are felt the most by the smaller independent game developers.

As game developers, we understand you want the time to concentrate on what you do best – creating world class IP, but at the same time you want to grow your business and that involves attracting and retaining talented people to your team. And that’s where we can help.

Our accountants and business advisers work with some of the country’s most exciting tech and gaming companies and understand the business challenges faced at every stage from start-up to early growth, scale-up, internationalisation and exit planning.

Attracting and retaining talent

We know the pressures of attracting and retaining talent in the UK gaming market. The pool is small, and the competition is fierce. Our Employer Services and Global Mobility teams can help with guidance on:

• Employee incentivisation share schemes
• Helping you navigate the global talent pool
• Creating a competitive employment strategy

Raising finance and funding

There is a great deal of funding opportunities in the gaming sector - from grants to attracting investors, but it’s a complex area to navigate. Our Entrepreneurial and Transaction teams can help here with guidance on:

• Fundraising and gaining investment
• Enhancing and expanding your business
• Preparing for an exit when the time is right

Video Game Tax Relief and other reliefs

Video Game Tax Relief (VGTR) is one of a group of corporate tax reliefs designed to help companies in the creative sector. Another valuable relief is R&D tax relief, both can generate significant tax savings for eligible companies and even, in some circumstances, results in a cash repayment. Although both reliefs are generous the legislation is complex, and this is where our Innovation Taxes Team come in. They work closely with you to review, analyse and manage the claims process. You can find out more about this on our dedicated VGTR page. 

Learn more about the transition from VGTR to VGEC, here.

Going international

The opportunities for expanding your footprint overseas are huge, but the bring new business compliance areas to consider. This is where our International Taxes Team can help. They work closely with our trusted advisers on the ground globally, through our Moore Global membership, giving us direct access to invaluable local advice and international markets intelligence.

Compliance and governance

And finally, the team at Johnston Carmichael is also on hand to help with all your financial compliance and governance needs. Whether you need to outsource your finance function completely or you’re looking for management and financial reporting to inform your strategy, or you’ve grown to the size you require a company audit, our Outsourced Finance and Audit & Assurance teams are on hand to help.

Whatever stage of your business journey, we’d love to hear from you.

We’re here, and we’re ready to help you play to your strengths.