Frontier’s David Braben called it ”really heartening” to see the UK ”recognising our industry”. Rebellion called it a ”decisive” achievement by TIGA.
”There are around 1000 trade associations in the UK working to influence government policy,” said UK-based Rebellion’s Jason Kingsley, reports GamesIndustry.biz.
”In 2009, only one sector was invited by the government to submit a case to change UK tax policy – the games industry. Only one trade association submitted a substantive, well researched case for games tax relief – TIGA.”
”Only one trade association campaigned unremittingly for games tax relief right up to today’s budget – TIGA. Today, TIGA has delivered the industry’s top priority,” he added. There remains to be any actual specifics on the tax break incentives released.
Jagex CEO Mark Gerhard said this primes the UK ”for further growth and innovation,” adding his own praise for TIGA saying they’ve ”been the only trade association to have consistently advanced the case for games tax relief.”
”This is a real triumph for UK developers,” added Gareth Edmonson, head of Ubisoft Reflections. ”It will enable the UK games industry to remain a success story.”
Crackdown and APB developer Realtime Worlds, based in Scotland, added their thanks to the growing pot. ”The UK video games industry is one of the most creative and innovative in the world,” said studio manager Colin MacDonald.
”This decision will mean we can continue to invest in UK talent and prevent brain drain to our overseas competitors. This is a great day for Scottish and UK-wide developers. It is also a major achievement by TIGA.” Want more excited words from British developers?
”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,” chimed in Ian Livingstone 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.”
There’s one sceptic though and it’s Frontier’s David Braben - he’s worried it could all be just smoke and mirrors for the upcoming election. ”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’.”
Philip Oliver from Blitz Games, who held meetings with chancellor Alistair Darling recently, says he’s ”very pleased and honoured” to have been part of the process in getting these needed tax breaks for the videogames industry in the UK.
It’s ”a wise investment” for the UK government to be making he adds, and the whole UK scene of development studios ”applauds them for this decision.” A large problem looms over the announcement of the tax relief and that’s the outcome of the election.
Conservative shadow minister Ed Vaizey has appeared positive toward the videogames industry in the UK, but this is far from translating into the rival party pledging to see through the plans of the current Labour treasury. Worst-case is this could all fall apart.
