Brexit: Fear, Uncertainty Dominate UK Video Games Industry

Deal or no deal, the United Kingdom is scheduled to leave the European Union on March 29.Brexit, a move voted for via public referendum in June 2016 and officially triggered in 2017, will mean the United Kingdom is no longer a member of the European Union and loses voting privileges on the EU’s laws as well as membership of the single market. The effects of this will be widespread, not least of which in the games industry, which is facing a period of great uncertainty.“Even if an exit deal is agreed, it’s just kicking the can down the road,” says Tracey McGarrigan, CEO of Ansible PR and co-founder of Games4EU. “There’ll be years of uncertainty during any transition or implementation period as we negotiate our new relationships with the world, during which the UK will have lost its influence over EU developments such as the Digital Single Market strategy or new EU legislation.” Games4EU is a grassroots organization founded by McGarrigan, digital entertainment lawyer Jas Purewal and founder of content marketing firm Go Editorial George Osborn to advocate for the games industry as it pertains to Brexit within the United Kingdom. They, along with their advisory team from across British games development, have been pleading their case to members of parliament that the games industry needs consideration and protection in Brexit negotiations.