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Reports of Rockstar
Games, the studio behind mega-hit Grand Theft Auto, instigating layoffs
that affect its global hub in Edinburgh have hit an otherwise
globally-renowned Scottish gaming sector that continues to outplay the
rest of the UK.
The Scots Capital, along with Dundee and Glasgow, collectively represent
a global centre for the phenomenally successful GTA franchise out of New
York City with owners Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. T2 developer,
publisher and marketer of interactive entertainment, enjoying an overall
market capitalization of around $10 billion and counting.
However, reported layoffs have triggered legal action and with it union
outrage although the GTA parent company strongly denies the allegations.
The Daily Record report claims it includes those on Rockstar-sponsored
visas plus employees with medical conditions now facing the loss of
vital workplace healthcare.
Rockstar North Edinburgh Global Hub
Such instability comes
only months ahead of the release of GTA 6 that's predicted to be the
biggest gaming launch in history forecast to generate over a $1 billion
(761.5m pnds stg).
Although it has faced delays with release pushed back to spring 2026
triggering a near 7 per cent drop in stock. T2's share price remains
solidly at around $250.
Two years ago Scotland's gaming sector jobs growth easily outshone the
rest of the UK, reported DIGIT News, adding an estimated 350 million
pnds stg to the country's economy.
Digital Media & Gaming
Expertise Wide Recognition
A (RE)play report from Knight Frank revealed a Scots gaming sector jobs
growth rise by 60 per cent. Dundee has a 60m pnds stg state-of-the-art
Esports Arena capable of hosting up to 4,000 spectators, with Abertay
University the UK's first centre for excellence in computer games
excellence.
The firm's Alasdair Steele, head of Scotland Commercial, described
Dundee as being "widely recognised" for its expertise in digital media
and gaming.
Scotland enjoys a strong track record with GTA and Lemmings among iconic
games developed along with 4J Studios producing Minecraft for consoles.
Abertay represents a big driver of the country's enduring gaming
success, ranked number one in Europe for video game education.
It represents the nucleus of what has been described as a "Scots Digital
Powerhouse" aiming at doubling finances with a thriving financial
technology (fintech) sector expected to boost its
assets-under-management from 690 million pnds stg to 1 trillion.
Of course, there's another side to gaming having previously written of
Tam, a typical Scots teenager fitting the category of "Digital Native"
with time on his hands or rather at his fingertips.
A bright kid good at science and maths ideally destined to go far
attracting a high-grade salary and with its personal lifestyle.
Unfortunately, college or university are in limbo as he spends an
inordinate number of hours - whatever the time of day but especially
through the night - engrossed in a virtual world playing online and
video gaming.
Tam's good at it and often wins but like any addiction it has all but
taken over his young life to the point where the 18-year-old hardly goes
out, and he is getting rather pasty looking as other online players
become his new "pals" and those nearby and at senior school take a back
seat.
Gaming experts GTA BOOM of Las Vegas, viewed as the complete resource
for all games in the GTA series, are on record as a strong critic of
Rockstar's approach. Founder Mat Gibbs has claimed GTA is a prime
example of Rockstar Games' "unapologetic approach" to game design.
Gaming Disorder
"Despite the varying efforts of crime depicted in each title it's clear
that breaking the law is a central theme of the franchise," he added.
Gender ratio of gaming remains at around 59/41 per cent respectively,
reports Statista although society still views it as a predominantly male
pursuit.
Widespread availability of internet access and mobile devices are
considered to significantly contribute to what's become known as "gaming
disorder".
The World Health Organisation has labelled gaming as a "real mental
disorder" placing it in the ICD-11 (International Classification of
Diseases). WHO goes on: "..a pattern of gaming behaviour characterised
by impaired control" where gaming takes precedence over other interests
and daily activities as it continues to escalate negatively.
A quarter of a century ago a friend's then 15-year-old son demonstrated
GTA 1 to me - as he casually ran over a pedestrian or two walking on a
sidewalk with his fancy automobile" he beamed: "Looks like I'm going to
win this game!" In that virtual moment it was all that mattered to this
digital native... |
