UK Gaming Billionaires: From Russian Brothers to YouTube Stars

The UK's gaming industry has produced a new breed of billionaires, with two brothers who grew up in impoverished post-Soviet Russia topping The Sunday Times Gaming Rich List. Igor and Dmitry Bukhman, founders of mobile gaming behemoth Playrix, have amassed a staggering £12.5 billion fortune from their free-to-play games like *Fishdom*, *Gardenscapes*, and *Township*.

The inaugural list, which features the wealthiest 30 individuals who have built their fortunes from the gaming world, highlights the UK's remarkable success in this sector. British-based gaming companies generated a record £10.7 billion in revenue last year, according to Statista.

The Bukhman brothers' story is one of rags to riches. Starting with a single, ageing Pentium PC gifted by their grandfather, they began developing games and screensavers in Vologda, Russia. Their success is built on simple, addictive games that offer instant gratification through puzzles and quick progression. The brothers' investment and philanthropic arm, Rix Capital, is based in London and manages billions of pounds. They have renounced their Russian citizenship, spoken out against the invasion of Ukraine, and hold Israeli citizenship.

Beyond the Bukhman brothers, the list reveals a diverse group of individuals who have carved their niche in the gaming world. The youngest entrant is Harry Lewis, 27, who features alongside fellow YouTube stars known as the Sidemen. Over a quarter of the 42 gamers and developers featured are under 35, with an average age of 45.

The list also includes Debbie Bestwick, a former chief executive of Team17, one of only three women featured. Her success stems from the *Worms

franchise, the co-operative *Overcooked*, and the gothic-themed fishing game *Dredge*.

The Gaming Rich List arrives at a time of mixed fortunes for the industry. While the sector has experienced a boom, Ukie, the industry body, reports that over 1,000 jobs have been lost from British gaming companies since the peak of the pandemic.

The list showcases the incredible diversity of the UK gaming landscape, from mobile gaming giants to YouTube stars and independent developers. It underscores the significant economic impact of the industry while highlighting its diverse talent pool and the entrepreneurial spirit driving its growth.

Top 10 Entrants:

1. Igor and Dmitry Bukhman, £12.54 billion – Founders of Playrix, creators of *Fishdom*, *Gardenscapes*, and *Township*.

2. Herman Narula, £780 million – Founder of Improbable, a metaverse developer.

3. Riccardo Zacconi, £410 million – Co-founder of King Digital Entertainment, creators of *Candy Crush Saga*.

4. Dan and Sam Houser, £350 million – Creative forces behind the *Grand Theft Auto

franchise.

5. Lior Shiff, £347 million – Founder of Tripledot Studios, developers of *Woodoku*.

6. Garry Newman, £335 million – Founder of Facepunch Studios, creators of *Garry's Mod

and *Rust*.

7. Mel Morris, £312 million – Early investor in King Digital Entertainment.

8. Neil Taylor, £230 million – Founder of Game, the UK's largest high-street gaming retailer.

9. Sebastian Knutsson, £225 million – Developer of *Candy Crush Saga*.

10. David Braben and Wendy Irvin-Braben, £150 million – Co-creators of *Elite

and founders of Frontier Developments.