Tiga membership system

Immediate release

March 11th 2009

Tiga, the UK’s games developers’ trade association, launched a new membership structure with an enhanced range of benefits. From March 1st 2009, Tiga’s new structure will contain five levels of membership: platinum, gold, silver, bronze and copper. A business’s level of membership will relate to its size, as measured by its number of employees.

For the first time, Tiga membership will be open to start-up games developers. Businesses with a maximum of two people (including the owner/manager) will be eligible to become copper Tiga members.

Richard Wilson, CEO of Tiga, said:

“From today Tiga membership will be open to start-up and early stage games businesses. This will enable micro games firms to also benefit from Tiga membership. I am delighted therefore to welcome JohnnyTwoShoes, London based flash games developer, to the Tiga family as our first copper member.”

Maxwell Scott-Slade of JohnnyTwoShoes, said:

“JohnnyTwoShoes needs good advice and information to help us drive forward in the fast paced games industry. Tiga will enable us to move from business as usual to a new level of performance and growth. I would encourage other small and start-up firms to join Tiga too.”

Tiga’s new membership structure gives some of the most successful businesses in the games industry including Blitz Studios, Kuju, Rebellion and Oxygen Insurance, to demonstrate their support for Tiga and the wider games industry by becoming platinum members.

Jason Kingsley, CEO of Rebellion said:

“Tiga is leading the debate in the games industry and standing up for the industry at the highest levels. Our voice is heard in the media. We are developing increasingly valuable services for our members. Rebellion is pleased to be playing a key role in the games industry through our support of Tiga.”

Ian Baverstock, CEO of Kuju said:

“Kuju has been an active supporter of Tiga since its inception and we believe that it is extremely important to make sure the voice of the independent development community is heard within the industry and within government. Tiga remains an essential channel for the business of game development.”

Philip Oliver, CEO of Blitz Studios, said:

"As a board member since TIGA's inception in 2001 I have watched the level of professionalism, impact and respect grow consistently and I see paying our annual subscription as an medium to long term investment in all our futures. I see the discounts, contacts and knowledge sharing pay dividends in the short term and easily cover the fees."

Andrew Wallin of Oxygen Insurance Brokers said:

“We are delighted to support TIGA as a Platinum member. It demonstrates our commitment to this sector and allows us to play an active role in its development. It also enables businesses of all sizes to access our expertise and experience more easily, and at even more affordable rates”.

Richard Wilson concluded:

“Tiga exists to represent and to serve games developers and associated businesses. Our vision is to make the UK the best place in the world to do games business. Expanding the opportunities to join Tiga demonstrates our commitment to the entire UK games development community, from one man bands to large businesses.”

Tiga’s new membership structure brings a range of improved benefits to Tiga members, including:

• Political representation Tiga flies the flag for the games industry in the corridors of power in meetings with Ministers, MPs and civil servants and publishes a range of policy papers on video games to shape the political debate. In 2009 Tiga will set up an all-party group in Parliament to advance the interests of the games industry still further.

• Media Tiga gives voice to the interests of the games industry in the national media. In 2009 Tiga will wage a significant, sustained and speedy PR campaign to take our industry’s media coverage to a new level.

• Trade support Tiga has secured £181,000 from UKT&I to support UK games businesses looking to exhibit at five key trade shows in 2009-10 (GDC 09 + 10, GAMEScom Cologne 09, Tokyo Game Show 09 and Game Connection, Lyon 09).

• Recruitment + Resource Sharing Tiga -Nesta will launch a website that will substantially reduce your cost of recruitment, showcase talent and encourage resource sharing and job swapping.

• Discounts for members Tiga membership gives businesses 5 – 20% discount on key business services, including BlitzTech Technology, motion capture, animation services, accountancy, insurance, legal, PR, recruitment and reduced fees for key industry events.

• Events Our programme of events will include the Tiga Awards Ceremony at the House of Commons and other networking events.

• Networking Tiga membership gives businesses access to a growing network of over 150 leading businesses and organisations in the games industry.

• Professional Services Guide Open to affiliate members, Tiga’s Professional Services Guide provides a directory of our preferred suppliers in the games industry.

• Best Practice Guides: Our Best Practice Guides, discounted for Tiga members, contains valuable information on operating in the games industry, including model contract agreements, information on R&D tax credits and sources of finance.

• Research opportunities and collaboration Membership bestows a right to participate in key industry groups including the Tiga Technology Group, the Tiga Human Resources Group and the planned Tiga Tax Group.

• Information services Tiga provides businesses with essential industry information through our newsletter and website.

Ends

Notes to editors

1. Tiga is the national trade association that represents games developers in the UK and in Europe. We have 154 members, the majority of whom are either independent games developers or in-house publisher owned developers. We also have outsourcing companies, technology businesses and university departments that are members.

2. Tiga’s vision is to make the UK the best place in the world to do games business. We focus on three sets of activities: political representation, generating media coverage and developing services that enhance the competitiveness of our members. This means that Tiga members are effectively represented in the corridors of power, their voice is heard in the media and they receive benefits that make a material difference to their businesses, including a reduction in costs and improved commercial opportunities.

3. For further information about Tiga, please contact: Dr Richard Wilson, Tiga CEO on:

E-Mail: richard.wilson@tiga.org

Web: www.tiga.org

Phone: 0845 0941095

Mobile: 07875 939643