News
'Government MUST act,' says Tiga
Michael French Sep 29 2008, 2:55pm
Comments (5)
Trade association urges authorities to look at tax breaks, better R&D incentives and educational support
In perhaps it's most vocal move yet, UK games development trade association Tiga has today told the Government that it must look to better support the British games industry.
Speaking in a new policy document distributed to its members, the organisation said "if the UK is to become the best place in the world to do games business then it must reduce the burden of taxation, increase the supply of mathematics and computer science graduates without reducing quality, and increase support for research and development".
Specifically, the organisation called for: "lighter business taxation, achieved either through a tax break for games production and training or through lower corporation tax; an increase in mathematics and science graduates to be achieved through a range of policies, including a reduction in tuition fees for mathematics and computer science undergraduates; and measures to promote knowledge transfer both between universities and the games industry and between the games sector and other industries".
While authorities have made some progress, said Tiga - singling out support in principal for a Games Centre for Excellence, its commitment to the Technology Strategy Board's £10m R&D fund, plus the desire to see more businesses in the creative industries - the organisation said there was still much to be done between Government and Games.
Criticisms of the Governments "failure to appreciate the significance of the tax environment as a source of competitive advantage for business in general and the games industry in particular; and its focus on increasing the number of apprenticeships in the creative sectors of the economy rather than developing policies to increase the supply of graduates in key academic, educational and vocational areas" were paramount.
“UK games businesses provide innovative, high quality games, produced on time and at great value. If the UK national government and the Scottish administration provide a supportive policy framework then we can enhance our competitive advantage against overseas competitors still further," said Richard Wilson, CEO of Tiga.
“Lower business taxation, a greater supply of good quality graduates and vigorous support for research and development should be the holy grail of policy for the games industry.
“The UK video games industry already possesses a skilled workforce, experienced management teams and an effective approach to outsourcing. Our industry will be world beating with a policy framework that leads to lighter business taxation, an increase in the supply of graduates and which supports knowledge transfer and research and development.”
Comments
“you'd be lucky”
Posted by: matto - Sep 29, 3:28pm
Think government's got enough on its mind bailing out bankers and worrying about what job they will be doing next year than to worry about capital letters from developers.
“Re: you'd be lucky”
Posted by: H - Sep 29, 3:34pm
There is no chance of this happening. I know the bloke from Tiga needs to justify his existence, but this really is a battle that UK developers will win.
I'm moving to Canda. It's nicer there, anyway.
“'Who Tiga?' says government.”
Posted by: Dan - Sep 29, 3:37pm
I can just read Alistair Darling's mind now (I'll paraphrase as it's a bit of a dull read)....ooh Bradford and Bingley.... oooh Henry Paulson ....ooooh Fortis.... oooooh the entire UK banking sector ....ooooh I really fancy taking some time out and playing the new Gears of War and while I'm at it I really ought to give those nice people at Tiga a ring and offer them whatever dosh is left over from Northern Gravel...
You know I'm sure fragging a few alien scum will put the financial crisis back into perspective....
“Re: 'Who Tiga?' says government.”
Posted by: D - Sep 30, 4:34pm
For people who don't read the article, this is about the *UK* government, not the US.
AFAIK the UK isn't spending $700,000,000,000 on bailing out banks. Think about how many AAA titles they could publish with that money. ;)
“Must? Piffle!”
Posted by: A Cynic - Oct 9, 8:56am
The government won't act to support the games industry. Look: support the film industry, and you might get to have dinner and drinks with glamorous film stars and gorgeous ladies. Support the games industry and you'll be lucky to get a cold pizza with a bunch of smelly geeks. Oh, and headlines in the Daily Mail about supporting KILLER GAMES plus Keith Vaz whinging in parliament.
Not going to happen is it?