There are many things that have helped to put Warrington on the map. It was where IKEA chose to open its first store in the UK, it’s where many multinational companies have rounded their regional headquarters, and it is the birthplace of Rick Astley.
But Scandinavian furniture and Rick Rolling may not be the biggest driving forces behind the town’s success today.
Instead, it may be an industry that oddly flies under the radar – gaming. When you think of Warrington’s biggest enterprises, you probably think of the huge warehouses that line the sides of the M62, the chemical and manufacturing plants, and the huge retail sites that employ thousands of workers.
But gaming is also a big deal for the town too, helping to boost the local economy.
The Growing Gaming Industry
The gaming industry is growing right across the world, which is benefiting towns like Warrington throughout the UK and many other countries. This growth has been brought on by a range of factors, including the fact that gaming is more accessible than it has ever been.
For example, in the past, anyone wanting to play card games with their friends would have to arrange for everyone to meet together. Today, however, it’s simply a case of using a PC or smartphone to play online poker against strangers or friends, using the same mechanics and rules as when the game is played in person.
Similarly, smartphones and their respective app stores have given players the ability to download over a million different games covering just about every imaginable genre. This convenience has helped to encourage new demographics into gaming, including older people who had previously shunned the idea of playing video games when consoles and computers were their only options.
In the UK alone, this growing industry is worth £6.2 billion and is predicted to grow by almost 5% in the coming 12 months.
Warrington’s Role
Warrington is not standing by, watching as this revolution takes place. The town is rolling up its sleeves and getting involved. While the town is overshadowed by its city neighbours, Liverpool and Manchester, which have dozens of gaming companies and hundreds of jobs, Warrington is pulling its weight.
Three of the biggest gaming companies in Warrington are Sumo Digital, Second Impact Games, Second Impact Games, and Cold Beam Games. Cold Beam Games has been making titles since 2010 and its popular Beat Hazard series has become a cult hit. Sumo Digital and Second Impact Games, have worked on some major titles including Forza Street, Lego Star Wars Battles, Team Sonic Racing, and Hitman 2.
Sumo Digital only recently opened its Warrington office. Launched in October 2019 as Sumo North West, it has since moved to its current office at The Base and been renamed to Sumo Warrington.
A New Generation
Clearly, some big names in gaming have faith in the town that it can become a hotspot for the industry in the UK. But to help prove them right, Warrington needs to train a new generation of gaming professionals and, thankfully, its educational institutions are already stepping up to the plate.
For example, Warrington & Vale Royal College offer gaming-related courses like its Level 3 Esports vocational qualification. During their studies, students will get the opportunity to work on live projects set by “external clients” to allow them to gain crucial work experience.
In addition to this course, which focuses on game playing at a competitive level, the college also offers an HNC in Games Development that is designed to teach both theoretical elements and practical skills as well as facilitate the creation of links between students and the gaming industry.
As these students begin to enter the workforce, they’ll help to boost the talent pool that Warrington-based gaming companies can choose from and will help to demonstrate to other studios that the town is a great place to set up shop.
