If you’re familiar with the gaming scene in the United Kingdom, you’re probably already aware of the prominence Birmingham holds in the industry. What makes the city so popular among gamers? From its central location to its industry events and everything in between, here is everything you need to know about Birmingham and gaming in the 21st century.
Location and population
As the second-largest city in the United Kingdom, Birmingham serves as a bustling hub for businesses of all types. Its central location is also easily reachable for people from all around the country.
From jewellery to food and even art and music, the city’s thriving business and entertainment sectors serve its young population, 40% of which is under the age of 25. This younger population can primarily be attributed to the city’s five universities, all of which are teeming with ambitious professionals who are eager to leave their mark on their respective industries.
Tech and gaming influence
One of the most thriving industries in Birmingham is tech. The city is home to more than 2,000 tech startups and 6,000 businesses, bringing in top talent and young innovators from all over the world. In fact, the tech sector in the area has been the most booming in the country. Given the rapid growth in mobile and desktop-based processing power around the world, it is perhaps no surprise that mobile gaming is one of the region’s most popular tech segments.
The mobile gaming industry in the United Kingdom was worth roughly £4.11bn in 2023. This is a huge increase from the £1bn it was worth in 2020. Birmingham is leading this charge, with its brightest minds dedicated to innovating in many areas, including mobile gaming. This collection of talent and love for gaming technology has made the city an important one for the gaming industry.
It’s important to note that Birmingham doesn’t only host traditional video game offerings. In addition to desktop, console, and mobile-based titles, the city’s professionals also focus on newly-internet-based platforms such as online casinos. Odds comparison sites detail the operators in this category, along with the promotions that attract players, like loyalty rewards and bonus spins. The iGaming industry is particularly quick to adapt to changing technologies, so they’re always likely to have a presence at industry events in the world of tech and gaming.
No matter what your game of choice is, there is a good chance that Birmingham has a hand in developing, executing, and refining it either directly or indirectly.
Industry events
Birmingham is home to some of the most popular gaming events, including:
- Birmingham Anime & Gaming Con
- Sandbox VR – Industry Showcase
- UK Games Expo
Of these, the first and last are arguably the most important, with thousands of passionate players and developers meeting to share ideas and breakthroughs. The Birmingham Anime & Gaming Con adds anime memorabilia to the mix, while UK Games Expo incorporates tabletop games into its mix of traditional video game offerings.
As you can see, Birmingham also hosts tech-specific events designed to expose players and developers to new and upcoming tech. Its Sandbox VR event, in particular, allows innovative minds to explore new technology and incorporate new features into their own projects.
Are you interested in the thriving and dynamic world of gaming? Cities like Birmingham are vital to the success of the industry. Without tech meccas encouraging the most talented and creative minds to come together in one place, it would be much more difficult for gaming tech, including gaming features and platforms, to evolve into something incredible.
