Eight pioneering Scottish gaming companies are heading to Japan to showcase their creative talents in one of the world’s most competitive and valuable gaming markets.
The trip, which begins on the 5th of April, will see the companies spend two weeks building relationships and exploring opportunities across Tokyo and Osaka.
During their time in Tokyo, the businesses will be hosted at Tunnel Tokyo, an innovation space run by SEGA Sammy and Pegasus Ventures.
This base will act as a launchpad for introductions to potential investors, clients and collaborators across Japan’s thriving tech and gaming ecosystem.
The visit is part of the Scottish Government’s Techscaler programme, aimed at accelerating tech start-ups with international potential.
A highlight of the visit includes a showcase at a dedicated Scottish Government gaming event at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka.
With over 28 million visitors expected at the Expo, the companies will be thrust onto a truly global platform.
Among those attending is Blazing Griffin, the Glasgow-based studio known for its cross-media work across games, film and post-production.
Also in the mix are GLITCHERS from Edinburgh, who are fusing gaming and healthcare, and Konglomerate Games from Dundee, renowned for their innovative play concepts.
Business Minister Richard Lochhead visited Blazing Griffin ahead of the delegation’s departure and emphasised the scale of opportunity.
He described Japan’s $50 billion gaming market as a space of “phenomenal economic opportunities” for Scotland’s talented game developers.
He said Techscaler is all about unlocking innovation and backing entrepreneurs to enter new global markets with confidence.
The minister called the trip a major moment for Scotland’s gaming sector to secure investment, forge new partnerships and promote their work to an international audience.
Blazing Griffin’s Co-Head of Games, Justin Alae-Carew, said the company sees major potential in cross-border collaboration.
He spoke about the strength of Japanese intellectual property and how Western and Eastern media can cross-pollinate in exciting ways.
He said Blazing Griffin’s combination of film and games expertise places them in a strong position to explore that hybrid potential.
Ruth Oliver of CodeBase, which delivers the Techscaler programme, said the cohort reflects the ambition and global thinking within Scotland’s gaming scene.
She noted that while the companies are at different stages in their journeys, they all share a hunger to scale and connect with the world’s biggest markets.
She added that the programme offers not just commercial openings, but also critical insights into how the Japanese industry operates.
The companies are expected to return from Japan armed with new contacts, fresh strategies and a sharper understanding of international opportunity.
Scotland’s game developers are no strangers to global success and this mission may be the next level in their evolution.
