Creative Cities: Bristol for Gamers and Animators
By MetStudios
11 December 2024
From globally renowned animation studios to trailblazing indie game developers, Bristol is a creative powerhouse bursting with opportunity. Whether you’re dreaming of crafting heartwarming characters, designing eye-catching visuals, or building immersive worlds—animated or interactive—this vibrant city offers the perfect playground for animators and gamers alike. Let’s explore what makes Bristol such a special hub for both industries.
Bristol for gamers
Bristol’s game studios
Bristol’s indie gaming scene is filled with talent. Studios like Auroch Digital are leading the charge, producing faithful adaptations of classic boardgames. Then there’s Codebyfire, a small gaming dev studio known for creating The Colonists, a relaxing planetary strategy game. Catastrophic Overload, another standout, is the team behind quirky multiplayer games Bish Bash Bots and Drink More Glurp.
Where to play
Bristol’s gaming bars and cafés are at the heart of its social scene. Replay is a cosy spot that mixes board games with classic and modern consoles, making it ideal for a laid-back evening with friends. If board games are your thing, Chance & Counters has two venues in Bristol where you can enjoy a beer while exploring the comprehensive catalogue of classic and new board games for you to choose from. NQ64 is the home of boozy gaming cocktails, retro consoles, and classic arcade machines – perfect for a big night out.
Bristol for animators
If animation is your passion, there’s no better place to sharpen your skills and launch your career than Bristol. This creative city has earned its spot as the UK’s hub for animation, with world-class studios and a busy community of animators, artists, and storytellers ready to welcome you.
- Explore our BA (Hons) Animation degree course!
Bristol’s animation studios
For animation, Bristol is home to studios of all sizes producing everything from children’s television and video games to advertising campaigns and indie films.
It’s impossible to talk about Bristol’s animation scene without starting with Aardman Animations, one of the world’s most iconic animation studios, behind iconic titles like Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, and Chicken Run. These productions haven’t just won Oscars, they’ve inspired generations of animators and solidified Bristol’s reputation as a global centre for creativity.
Bristol’s animation scene is as diverse as it is dynamic, with studios of all sizes producing everything from children’s television and video games to advertising campaigns and indie films. From A Productions, which specialises in high-quality children’s programming like JoJo and Gran Gran, Love Monster and Bea’s Block, to Sun & Moon Studios whose work spans TV, games, and branding. Rumpus Animation is famous for bold, quirky 2D animations, and Studio Giggle blends live-action, motion graphics, and animation for corporate and creative projects.
Each studio contributes its own unique touch to Bristol’s animation scene, creating countless opportunities to explore different styles, techniques, and career paths.
Where to hang out
Bristol isn’t just a great place to work and study, it’s an amazing and inspiring place to live. The city’s vibrant arts scene, iconic street art, and laid-back vibe make it a paradise for creatives. Whether you’re wandering through the colourful murals of Stokes Croft, catching a sunset by the Harbourside, or enjoying a live gig, Bristol’s energy will fuel your imagination.
Check out We The Curious, the UK’s first digital 3D planetarium for some intergalactic inspo, or head to the Arnolfini centre for contemporary art right on the waterfront. Spike Island is a vibrant working artist studio and gallery that supports, produces, and presents contemporary art and culture, while the RWA exhibits work from some of the country’s most celebrated artists.
Bristol’s charm lies in its perfect mix of vibrant energy and creative freedom, all wrapped up in a city that’s easy to navigate and welcoming to everyone.
Building your creative future in Bristol
Whether you’re an aspiring animator or game developer, Bristol offers an inspiring environment to launch your career. Home to a vibrant community of studios and creatives, the city blends innovation with tradition—embracing cutting-edge technologies like VR, 3D modelling, and interactive storytelling while celebrating classic techniques and craft.
At MetStudios’ Bristol campus, students can study BA (Hons) programmes in Games Design and Development, Games Art and Technology, or Animation, gaining hands-on experience, industry contacts, and access to state-of-the-art resources.
In Bristol, you’re not just learning a craft—you’re joining a supportive, forward-thinking creative community. Whether you’re building a world, animating a character, or designing the next big game, this city has everything you need to thrive.
