A programmer working on a PC *{Unsplash Images}*

By Ross Cassidy

The UK is home to some of the world’s most influential video game companies and iconic franchises. From massive global hits to groundbreaking studios, the UK has played a pivotal role in shaping the gaming industry. Whether it’s the masterminds of Grand Theft Auto or the talented workers behind the Batman Arkham Series. British studios continue to lead the charge in both innovation and entertainment. Here’s a look at some of the biggest game studios across the country and their contributions to the world of gaming.

Rockstar Games

Rockstar have made their mark in Scotland and England with only five studios, the biggest of which, Rockstar North, being in Edinburgh.

As well as having studios in Dundee, Leeds, London, and Lincoln, Rockstar North is where their games are created.

The company was formerly known as DMA Design and later developing into Rockstar Games in 2002.

No one could have anticipated the GTA series would go onto sell 460 million copies. With GTAV alone selling 220 million alone, making it one of the most sold and successful games of all time.

The anticipation for Grand Theft Auto VI speaks for itself. With the game winning back-to-back awards at The Game Awards for most anticipated video game and receiving 475 million views on the trailers.

GTAVI will release on November 19th, 2026.

Rocksteady Games

Screenshot from Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League *{IGDB press kit}*

Rocksteady Games have been renowned for pioneering the superhero games genre ever since they released their first AAA game, Batman Arkham Asylum.

They would go onto create a series of open world games with the DC hero fighting against many different villains such as The Joker, Penguin and Hugo Strange.

With these characters played by the iconic actors themselves reprising them from the Batman Animated Series and other Batman media, with the late Kevin Conroy as Batman, Mark Hamill as The Joker, and supporting roles played by Troy Baker and Nolan North.

Their most recent work, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, was released in 2024 and was met with negative reception from fans. Rocksteady is rumoured to be returning to Batman with a Batman Beyond game.

This game will look to release in the next console generation according to rumours.

Codemasters

Promotional Image for F1 2025 *{EA Sports press kit}*

Based in Southwick, Warwickshire in Birmingham, Codemasters work under EA (Electronic Arts), and they are known for their work on a vast range of games dating back to the 90’s. Nowadays they are mostly recognised for their work on the Dirt Racing and Formula One (F1) games.

Delivering intense realistic racing and graphics, Codemasters have been knocking it out of the park with this racing sim. The Dirt series looks to be on hold, their arcade style series focusing on off-road racing has not seen a new game since 2020.

Codemasters have been releasing new F1 games every year. However, the company will be skipping 2026’s annual launch year and look to release their next game in the F1 series in 2027.

Travelers Tales

Travelers Tales, or commonly known as TT Games, have been making games since 2005, and the Brighton based studio are the brains behind many LEGO games adored by all ages, such as LEGO Batman The Video Game, LEGO Batman 2, LEGO Marvel Superheroes and LEGO City Undercover.

Their most recent work being LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. In 2026 they will be releasing a brand-new game following a similar formula, but with Batman.

LEGO Batman Legacy of The Dark Knight will be a single player and co-op experience that will include more than 86 years of Batman media. It will feature many villains, 100 Batsuits, over 20 Batmobiles and multiple playable characters.

The game will release on May 29th 2026.

Sledgehammer Games

Sledgehammer Games are one of the many teams that work alongside Infinity Ward and Treyarch on the Call of Duty series. The studio opened its second studio in Guildford in 2021, with its first in California.

The last games they worked on were Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and Call of Duty: Vanguard.

Sledgehammer Games are soon to step up to the plate in 2027 with their turn to lead and release a new COD game. Rumours hint they may be returning to Call of Duty Advanced Warfare with a new sequel.

Five games companies based in the UK