Over 20 states within the USA now provide incentives for the video games industry.
A report examining state incentives in Texas has drawn attention to the British Government’s failure to support the UK video games industry. A grant system in Texas (the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program) which provides funding for the game sector created 1700 jobs in the state between April 2009 and August 2010. This contrasts to a fall of 9 per cent in the headcount at British video games studios between 2008 and 2010.
Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, commented:
“This report demonstrates once again that many governments around the world recognise the economic potential of the video games sector and its ability to create highly skilled jobs. Texas is now one of more than 20 states within the USA offering incentives for video game production and development.
“The UK Government’s failure to support the video games sector in the face of mounting evidence is incongruous. If the right tax incentives are introduced then the games industry can create the private sector jobs that the Government claims it wants to encourage.
“TIGA’s proposed Games Tax Relief would create or save 3,550 jobs, generate £457 million in investment and increase and protect £415 million in new and saved tax receipts. The Government must reconsider the case for Games Tax Relief.””
Jason Kingsley, TIGA Chairman and CEO and Creative Director of Rebellion, said:
“Many other governments recognise that the video games industry is an export oriented sector that can play a part in creating highly skilled jobs. Many other governments recognise the case for sector specific policies to exploit the potential of the video games industry. Many other governments appreciate that the video games sector is a serious industry that merits support. It is time that the UK Coalition Government followed suit.””
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1. The report was conducted by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts’. It examined a grant system in Texas which provides funding for game, film and television projects. It examined the grant system between April 2009 and August 2010. The report can be accessed from the following link:
http://www.texasahead.org/reports/incentives/pdf/EconomicIncentives.pdf
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Notes to editors:
About TIGA:
TIGA is the trade association representing the UK’s games industry. The majority of our members are either independent games developers or in-house publisher owned developers. We also have games publishers, outsourcing companies, technology businesses and universities amongst our membership. TIGA was awarded ‘Trade Association of the Year’ and the ‘Member Recruitment Award’ at the Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards 2010. TIGA has also been named as a finalist in the 2010 Chartered Management Institute (CMI) National Management and Leadership Awards in the category of ‘The Outstanding Organisation of the Year Award (SME)’. TIGA is an Investors in People organisation.
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.
For further information, please contact Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO on 07875939643: or email richard.wilson@tiga.org; or contact David Hodges on 02070911653