The Deputy Mayor for Culture has defended the Mayor of London's push for the city to become the global capital of organised video gaming, arguing that the initiative does not conflict with concerns about screen time and social isolation.
Justine Simons told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that gaming can foster a strong sense of community, particularly when events bring people together in physical spaces. Her comments follow Mayor Sadiq Khan's recent announcement of his ambition for London to lead the esports industry, supported by a new City Hall report detailing how the capital can build on recent successes, such as hosting the VALORANT Masters Tour at the Copper Box Arena.
Community Over Isolation
Simons emphasised that social isolation is the key issue, not screen time itself. “What people might be less aware of – if you’re not in that world – is what a kind of powerful sense of community there is in gaming,” she said. “The atmosphere was fantastic at the Copper Box – and it was all in real life. You have things like Artist Alley, where gamers come to create their own artwork, you have FanFest sites where people can watch for free – it’s like a micro-economy in itself.”
She added that gaming events generate the same energy as major concerts. “There’s lots of work going on to really build that sense of community. All of us in society, not just gamers, operate in a digital world. There is value in getting everyone together into one physical space. It brings you together and you get the same kind of energy and dynamism in an esports game at the Copper Box that you do watching Harry Styles at Wembley or in a grassroots music space in East London.”
Youth Clubs and Access
Last week, Khan announced that every Youth Lates club in London will provide gaming access to bring young people together. He stated: “Many children across the capital do not have access to consoles or only have one gaming controller, so they can’t play together with friends or siblings at home. That’s why I’m committed to providing youth clubs with the funding to purchase equipment or improve their internet connection where they need it, so more people can play with friends throughout the year.”
The Mayor has also been vocal about the dangers of excessive screen time for young Londoners, particularly regarding disinformation, harmful content, and misogynistic material. However, Simons argued that the benefits of gaming outweigh these risks when properly managed.
Economic Opportunity
The report, titled ‘London’s Esports Opportunity’, highlights the economic potential of the sector. It notes that esports has a global audience of 640 million and is predicted to be worth $10 billion by 2033. “We want London to be the destination of choice for e-sports,” Simons said. “It’s a phenomenon that’s growing so fast. We see it as a huge opportunity for London and we’ve been building it for the last decade. It’s a no-brainer for us, and we couldn’t be better placed. We are the biggest games capital in Europe – Londoners love games, and all the ingredients are there.”
The report also acknowledges challenges, such as the high cost of operating and hosting esports events in London, which makes it difficult to compete with other destinations. “This report is asking the question about what more we can do to shoot from the stars – from investment, to the talent pipeline,” Simons added.
