UK development report

October 9th 2008

A report published by the Creative Industries Observatory at the University of the Arts in London has confirmed that the UK is a productive place for game development but that the Government should consider introducing a tax relief scheme to support the sector.

Richard Wilson, CEO of Tiga, said:

“This report confirms that the video games industry is fleet of foot, capable of locating and investing wherever there is access to a skilled workforce, universities and favourable fiscal conditions. Given the footloose nature of the industry, it is crucially important that public policy actively serves to retain and attract games businesses to the UK.

“This means that public policy should aim to provide a competitive fiscal environment, promote world class education and training and encourage knowledge sharing between businesses and universities.

“Tiga is actively representing the games industry in political circles, raising the profile of the industry in the media and developing services that enhance the competitiveness of our members. Our aim is nothing less than to make the UK the best place in the world to do games business. With the right policy environment we can make this vision a reality.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

1. Tiga is the national trade association that represents games developers in the UK and in Europe. We have 157 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. The Creative Industries Observatory’s report, Game on! A report on the interactive leisure software subsector in London (Creative Industries Observatory, London College Communication, University of the Arts, London, 2008), can be accessed at: http://www.creativeindustriesobservatory.com/index.asp?s=section

4. 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