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GTA IV demonstrates the strength of UK games development, says Tiga

Tiga said today that the commercial and critical success of Grant Theft Auto (GTA) IV demonstrated the vitality and creativity of the UK games development sector.

Chart-Track estimates that GTA IV’s first day sales in the UK were 609,000 units. Eurogamer has hailed GTA IV as“game of the year” and awarded it a 10 out of 10 review score. The New York Times has said that the game delivers a“new level of depth for an interactive entertainment experience.”

Richard Wilson, CEO of Tiga, said:

“GTA IV is a creative and commercial success, driving video games deeper into popular culture. It is an adult game for an adult audience. As the average age of gamers increases the demand for mature games of this kind is likely to rise too.

“GTA IV’s world-wide success is indicative of the strength of the UK games development sector. Our games industry is the largest in Europe and we are the fourth largest developer of games in the world. The UK games industry is also characterised by strong regional clusters. Scotland has a particularly creative set of games businesses. GTA IV’s triumph is a success for Scotland in particular.

“Tiga would like to offer its congratulations to Rockstar North and all of the people who worked so hard to make GTA IV the great success that it is.

“From a wider policy perspective, if we are to improve on the games industry’s record of success, then the Government must create a more favourable tax regime for games developers and tackle the underlying skills shortages facing the games development industry. This approach will enhance the UK’s capacity for creating more video game block-busters.”

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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 games developers, but we also have outsourcing companies and technology businesses as members who provide services to games developers. Tiga’s vision is to make the UK the best place in the world to do games business.

2. For further information, please contact: Dr Richard Wilson, Tiga CEO on: 0845 0941095; Mob: 07875 939643; or: Email: richard.wilson@tiga.org.