UK Mobile Gaming Sector Needs More Investment and Talent, Warns Matchingham Games Founder
Fatih Haltas, the founder of mobile game developer Matchingham Games, has raised concerns about the future of the UK’s mobile gaming sector. Despite the country’s established tech ecosystem, Haltas believes that the UK’s position as a European tech leader could be at risk if more action is not taken to attract investment and talent to the industry.
Haltas established Matchingham Games in the UK in 2020 and has since grown the company to over 120 staff members and achieved nearly 500 million installs. However, he argues that the sector still struggles to attract the best talent and institutional investment, which is hindering its growth potential.
In order to address this issue, Haltas suggests removing financial barriers and offering streamlined gaming visas to attract crucial investment and talent from global giants like the US, Japan, and South Korea. He also highlights the need for targeted support and visa requirements for tech graduates from overseas.
Haltas points out that while the UK has made commendable efforts to support the gaming sector as a whole, specific challenges in mobile gaming have not been adequately addressed. He believes that with targeted support in talent acquisition, the industry can thrive and attract significant investment.
Another option Haltas proposes is increasing the Business Asset Disposal Relief to encourage companies to relocate to the UK and stimulate M&A activity in the sector.
Industry Lags Behind in Mobile Gaming M&A Activity
In Drake Star’s latest Global Gaming Report, it is revealed that the UK is falling behind in mobile gaming M&A activity. This lack of activity highlights how institutional investors do not consider mobile gaming as seriously as other markets, according to Haltas.
He emphasizes that the mobile gaming sector presents lucrative commercial opportunities and generates more revenue than console gaming. Despite this, investors still perceive it as a second-rate form of gaming, and this mindset needs to change.
Need for Sector-Specific Support
Haltas argues that the UK government should provide sector-specific support targeted at high-growth industries like mobile gaming. While the recent autumn statement included measures to support British businesses, Haltas believes that more action is needed to revitalize the UK tech ecosystem.
He suggests that attracting the best talent in one tech sector will have a positive ripple effect, attracting top developers and designers to other areas and ultimately driving investment into the UK tech industry as a whole.
With the global mobile gaming market revenue surpassing that of console gaming, the UK must take proactive steps to remain competitive and retain its position as a European tech leader.
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mobile gaming, UK tech industry, investment, talent, sector-specific support, M&A activity, revenue, global market, Drake Star Global Gaming Report, console gaming