After about 10 years of political campaigning, the British
government announced yesterday that it intends to introduce a tax relief for
the UK video games industry. EGDF, the European Games Developer Federation
applauds this decision of the UK government and congratulates TIGA to have
driven this political campaign consistently for many years despite all setbacks
and backstabbing from others, including parts of the game industry. EGDF
Chairman Guillaume de Fondaumiere from Quantic Dream congratulated: ” This is a game changer for the UK, and
there-by Europe!”
“This decision is a milestone in the history of
European game politics and a big victory” says Dr. Malte Behrmann, the Genereal
Secretary of EGDF. “It was TIGA and no one else, who pushed this through in
Britain. It is very important, that EU regulation is allowing these vital
measures for games production in Europe. The efforts of the member states will
help to keep game production within
Europe as the European game industry faces fierce international competition.”
TIGA, the largest member organisation of EGDF commented
that “this was a “brilliant” decision and “terrific” news for the
games development sector. ” TIGA, the only trade association to have
consistently campaigned for tax relief for games development, described the
provision to implement the tax break for games production as a “decisive
victory” by TIGA for the UK video games industry which would increase employment,
innovation and investment in the sector and would help to power the economic
recovery.
TIGA secured Games Tax Relief in the previous Labour
Government’s final Budget in March 2010, but it was dropped in the June 2010
Budget. Since then TIGA has campaigned relentlessly for Games Tax Relief and
the award winning trade association’s crusade has now succeeded. TIGA has been
elected UK Trade Association of the Year in 2010 and 2011.
Dr Richard Wilson TIGA CEO stated: “This is a brilliant
decision by the Government and terrific news for the UK video games industry.
It is also a decisive victory won by TIGA through audacity, determination and
endurance. Like a boxer knocked down by his opponent, we refused to accept
defeat and kept getting back in the ring. This victory will benefit not just
the UK games development and digital publishing sector but also the wider UK
economy.”
Dr. Malte Behrmann, General Secretary EGDF