Creative Cities: Leeds for Gamers and Animators

Whether you’re dreaming of designing jaw-dropping games, animating unforgettable characters, or making your mark in the fast-paced world of VFX, Leeds has everything to fuel your ambition. Check out some of our top spots in the city!

Leeds for Gamers

Leeds’ game studios

When it comes to making games, Leeds is at the forefront. Team17, the legendary studio behind iconic games like Worms and Overcooked, is based here, continuing to create titles loved by millions worldwide. Rockstar Leeds, part of the team responsible for blockbusters like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, also calls the city home, helping to shape some of the most iconic games of all time.

Red Kite Games is another key player in Leeds’ gaming scene, known for contributing to major projects including Hogwarts Legacy, Exoborne and God of War III: Remastered. These studios are proof that Leeds is a hub for innovation, creativity, and world-class game development.

Where to play

If you’re a gamer, you’re going to love Leeds. Let’s start with Pixel Bar, where you can sip on cocktails inspired by your favourite games while battling it out on Mario Kart or FIFA with your mates. They even host regular tournaments if you’re up for proving your skills. It’s always buzzing, always fun, and the perfect place to geek out.

For something a little more chill, Chance & Counters is the spot to be. It’s stacked with over 500 board games, so whether you’re into strategy classics like Catan or just fancy a laugh over a party game, there’s something for everyone. Add in some top-tier food and drinks, and it’s a guaranteed good time.

If arcades are more your thing, Arcade Club Leeds in Kirkstall is a must-visit. Think retro vibes with machines like Pac-Man and Street Fighter, plus cutting-edge VR for when you’re ready to jump into the future. Or check out Carousel Bar, combining laid-back vibes with arcade games and virtual shooting simulators, as well as areas for beer pong, shuffleboard, and interactive darts.

Unmissable events and festivals

Leeds knows how to bring people together. The Yorkshire Games Festival, just down the road in Bradford, is one event you can’t miss. It’s packed with talks from industry leaders, chances to play new games, and loads of networking opportunities. It’s like a behind-the-scenes pass to the gaming world.

Closer to home, Leeds Anime & Gaming Con is where the city’s creative energy comes alive. From cosplay competitions and gaming tournaments to panels about anime and game art, it’s a weekend of non-stop fun.

And it doesn’t stop there. Throughout the year, you’ll find smaller meetups, festivals, and events where you can connect with like-minded creatives. Leeds is all about its community, so no matter what you’re into, there’s something for you.

Leeds for Animators

Leeds’ animation studios

Fuelled by the UK’s animation industry boom, Leeds is quickly becoming a vibrant hub for animation studios. BAFTA and RTS award-winning studio Fettle Animation leads the way, alongside boutique studios like Little Motel and video production agencies like Shotblast Media.

Where to hang out

Leeds is a city of many faces. While its Victorian era industrial heritage is what the city is perhaps most well-known for, nowadays the city is a cultural powerhouse. From awe-inspiring art galleries to stunning street art, marvellous museums to a vibrant indie film scene, Leeds is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with – particularly in the screen industries.

Animators will find plenty of inspiration here. The street art alone is enough to fill your sketchbook with new ideas – wander the city for a day and you’ll stunning outdoor art around every corner. If you prefer your art indoors, then the flagship Leeds Art Gallery is your go-to for the best collection of twentieth-century art outside London. The Henry Moore Institute is a must-visit for iconic sculptures, from the historical to the contemporary, and everything in between – and, while we’re talking sculpture, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park should be next on your list.

Leeds is brimming with artisan workshops and meetup groups for you to get involved with, which offer an excellent chance to meet fellow artists and animators, and make those all-important connections that will help kickstart your career.

Unmissable events and festivals

There are two big events for any filmmaker or animator in Leeds, which you need to add to your calendar now. Let’s start with Leeds International Festival of Ideas…

Bringing together leading thinkers, writers, artists, and experts from a wide range of fields, LIFI does exactly what it says on the tin – fills you with ideas and inspiration. During the festival, the city buzzes with excitement – it’s also the perfect networking opportunity, as a great place to meet fellow creatives and inspiring figures from the screen industries and beyond.

Then, of course, there’s the Leeds International Film Festival. It’s the largest film festival in England outside of London, showcasing hundreds of films – both live action and animated – from across the world. LIFF is a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards, and many of the films that premiere at the festival go on to enjoy success at Cannes and the Berlinale.

Be sure to check out Fenomenon, a LIFF programme dedicated to cult and fantasy cinema – including plenty of animation. LIFF is organised by Leeds Film, an organisation which also runs a range of other film festivals in the city throughout the year.

Build a future in Leeds

Leeds is more than just a place to study—it’s a city where you can live, breathe, and build your passion. Whether you’re chilling in a gaming café, networking with industry legends, or soaking up the creative energy of the city, Leeds has everything you need to succeed.

And if you’re ready to turn your dream into reality, MetStudios Leeds has your back. With hands-on courses in Games Design and Development, Games Art and Technology, and Animation, you’ll be learning from industry pros who’ve been there and done it.

Discover MetStudios Leeds for yourself at an upcoming Open Day or find out more about our courses here.