UK vets praise tax relief for games sector
Livingstone, Braben, Oliver congratulate years of lobbying by TIGA, ELSPA
More UK games veterans have added their support and praise to the news that the games industry is to benefit from a tax relief system designed to encourage growth in the sector.
Yesterday the government said that it was adopting TIGA's proposals for an initiative that will allow less tax to be paid on games that are a success, provided they first pass a test based on cultural relevance.
"I’m excited to hear the government has listened to our calls for tax relief. The video games industry makes a valuable contribution to the UK economy and this government initiative can only help to support further growth," offered Ian Livingstone, life president of Eidos.
"I’m sure it will encourage investment in the UK, preserving existing jobs and creating new ones; helping to re-establish the UK to the forefront of the global industry in the creation of new video game IP."
Frontier's David Braben also paused to praise the achievement, but offered a not of caution as to whether the government's announcement would be carried through to completion.
"It is really heartening to finally see government recognising our industry, albeit on the eve of an election,” he said. “Well done to Tom Watson, Ed Vaizey and Don Foster in making this happen. Let's raise a glass and hope that it is a genuine plan to do something, rather than just another plan to 'consult'."
Blitz Games' Philip Oliver has held meetings with chancellor Alistair Darling recently, but said the success of the lobbying for tax breaks was a team effort from the UK, in particular TIGA and ELSPA.
"I am very pleased and honoured to have been part of the team that has lobbied government consistently over the last few years.
He added: "It is a wise investment that the government has made today and the whole of the UK industry applauds them for this decision."
So its only games that reflect British culture that will qualify for this kind of tax relief?. What if you wanted to make a sci fi game then you would be screwed!!!! you would have to make a game that features aliens wearing Union jack t-shirts
Already this limits the kind of game you can make. What we need is a comprehensive tax relief system that will enable us to compete with the likes of Canada.
cheers to easterislandnick for this info
"Though the exact criteria of the tax break requirements is yet to be decided, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has indicated that it will follow a similar model to that currently applied to the UK film industry.
Under that model, those seeking relief must score at least 16 points out of a possible 31 in a ‘culturally British’ test."
Edited 2 times. Last edit by Mike Rusby on 25th March 2010 10:17am
Posted:3 years ago