Gaming in Wales: Can a new scene emerge that takes advantage of the unique culture?

Wales is known for a lot of things throughout the world. There’s beautiful scenery, fascinating history and rich culture. However, it’s perhaps not known for its links to the gaming industry. Could a new gaming scene emerge here? Let’s explore what games the people of Wales are playing. Then, we’ll look at how the country might create a new thriving industry.

What are people playing?

Before looking at whether a new gaming scene can emerge, we have to examine what’s being enjoyed by gamers across the country. The trends in Wales are ultimately very similar to the rest of the UK. At the moment, the latest editions of Call of Duty and FIFA are two of the most popular titles for Welsh gamers.

Outside of the more traditional video games, many people also partake in a game of online bingo. Bingo’s a game with a unique history and has remained popular in Wales since its heyday of the 1960s and 1970s. It has also moved with the times and is now available online. A quick search will reveal many UK bingo websites that offer a unique take on the classic formula. The more traditional version is still a hugely popular activity across Wales. There are still 36 licensed bingo halls with popular centres in Nantgarw, Cardiff and Rhyl.

Casino gaming has also remained popular in Wales, again in line with many other parts of the UK. Like bingo, many of these games have translated well into the online world. One example is poker. This is a game played across Wales in many environments. There’s everything from the professional circuit to kitchen table games amongst friends.

Have any games been set in Wales?

There have been several games set in this part of the world. Several games in the DIRT series have Wales-based courses. DIRT 4 is one of three editions of the series that features the county of Powys. There are certainly other areas of the country that would make for exciting tracks in future racing games.

Then there’s also the FIFA games. The Cardiff and Swansea stadiums have both been in the games since FIFA 18. The Principality Stadium, known previously as the Millenium Stadium, featured in previous editions of the game.

How to build a local gaming industry

There are several ways you can build a local gaming industry. Expanding on the popular Swansea Comic and Gaming Convention, you could bring local gamers and even developers together. It would help provide an audience and improve the awareness of local developers.

The people at Literature Wales believe there is a growing interest in Welsh culture. In November 2021, they said that interest in content relating to Welsh myths and legends was growing. Their research unveiled widespread awareness of Welsh myths and legends, but there was very little association of these ideas with Wales. This could be something for developers to build upon.

You could also use the Welsh landmarks mentioned previously to bring in some local intrigue. Imagine an adventure game set around the stunning Mount Snowdon? Perhaps there could be a game based in and around the fascinating mediaeval castles? Whichever direction you go, there are enough gamers across Wales to develop a unique local industry.