Manchester is the E-Gaming Career Capital of the UK

New research has revealed that Manchester is the e-gaming career capital of the UK.

A study by online gaming site 6takarakuji analysed and ranked companies that develop video games, universities offering computer science and the average salaries of game developers in every major city of the UK to award each city an index score, where the least score reveals the country’s e-gaming career capital.

The study reveals Manchester as the UK’s e-gaming career capital, ranking first on the list, scoring 10. There are 46 e-gaming companies in the city, measuring one for every 12,000 people.  The University of Manchester ranks top among the city's seven universities offering computer science. Game developers in the city rake in an average of £49,878 annually.

The second UK e-gaming career hotspot is London, scoring 14. The capital city’s gaming statistics equate to 6,268 people per company, the highest in the UK. Imperial College London is top among the city's 35 universities offering computer science. Individuals eyeing a game developer role can expect an average of £58,922, the highest on the list.

Liverpool is the third-best city for a career in e-gaming, scoring 17 points. Companies such as Playrise and Thumbstar Games are among the 26 in the city, with developers earning an average salary of £49,047 yearly. Five universities in the city offer computer science, with the University of Liverpool ranking as the best in the city.

Cardiff follows narrowly in fourth on the table scoring 18. Home to Gamersclub, the city boasts 35 e-gaming companies. In the Welsh capital, a game developer can earn £4,071 on average every month, and there are two universities offering computer science, namely Cardiff University and Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Ranking fifth on the list is Bristol, with 21 points. The city’s e-gaming companies equate to 11,522 people per company, totalling 41; they include Introvert Studios, Paper Street Games and ColePowered. Universities offering computer science courses in the city are the University of Bristol and the University of West England Bristol. Game developers here can take home an average salary of £46,580 annually.

Edinburgh is the UK’s sixth e-gaming career city with 22 points, with 33 e-gaming companies measuring 16,788 people to one. Five universities in the city offer computer science, including the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University.  Game developers can expect an average salary of £44,882 yearly.

Newcastle upon Tyne ranks seventh with 23 points, with the strongest population-to-university ratio of 30,020 people to one. The city’s average annual salary for game developers sits at £43,083. There are 11 gaming companies here.

Sharing the same spot is Nottingham, with three universities offering computer science and 26 gaming companies in the city. Game developers in Nottingham can expect an average annual salary of £41,955.

Coventry comes eighth with 24 points, having 23 e-gaming companies in the city and three universities offering computer science. In ninth place with 25 points is Leeds, with an average game developer salary of £57,609 but a weak population-to-gaming company ratio of 50,750 people to one.

Looking at the study, a spokesperson from 6takarakuji commented: “This study reveals that people looking for a career in the e-gaming industry are spoiled for choice with the opportunities across the country, but especially in Manchester. The city offers a great combination of learning and work opportunities, and gaming events like Play Expo and Anime & Gaming Con are just a few of many taking place this year.”

The study was conducted by 6TAKARAKUJI, an online casino guide offering its audience a gaming and entertainment experience.