The video games industry has expressed concerns that Britain’s decision to leave the European Union will affect access to development talent.
Games developer network, Tiga, has claimed Brexit will lead to harsher immigration rules.
They could prevent European developers from contributing to the development of games in the UK.
Many blockbuster games such as Grand Theft Auto, pictured, are made on these shores.
Tiga CEO Richard Wilson said: “The UK video games industry is a technology sector that provides high-skilled employment for more than 30,000 people, including approximately 11,000 development staff, and which contributes £1.1bn to UK GDP.
“It is also export-oriented, with at least 95% of studios exporting.
“Following the referendum in favour of ‘Brexit’, it will be more vital than ever to strengthen – and avoid harming – those sectors where the UK has a comparative competitive advantage.”
Research by Tiga found 15 per cent of UK games development staff are from the EU.
It claimed the Government should take responsibility to ensure the games industry, which has produced such classics as Wipeout, still has access to talent and funding.
The UK games industry was said to have grown significantly in 2016, with 70% of employers in the sector planning new hires throughout the year.
Tiga expressed concerns that European programmes such as Creative Europe and Horizon 2020 which support creative industries in the EU may no longer be open to UK applications post-Brexit.