TIGA calls on UK Government to champion UK games industry as latest VGTR stats show further industry growth

  • Tax relief has stimulated £44m in total budget spend in Q1 2018 according to latest BFI stats
  • 49 games have been certified so far in 2018 according to new figures released by BFI

London – 3 May, 2018TIGA, the independent games association, today urges the UK Government to bolster the UK games industry, as new figures from the BFI show continued growth in VGTR budgets.

VGTR, which effectively reduces of the cost of games development, was first implemented in April 2014 after a lengthy campaign led by TIGA. Dr Richard Wilson OBE, CEO at TIGA, today calls on the government to further stimulate the sector with investment, as it again proves its prominent role in the UK’s Creative Industries.

So far this year, VGTR has supported the creation of 49 new games, with budgets totalling £44m. In the last 12 months, 201 video games have received final certification, with a total budget of £262m.

Dr Richard Wilson OBE, CEO at TIGA, said, “The UK’s video games sector is an area of huge growth and is making an increasingly valuable contribution to the UK economy. It adds £1.5bn to the economy every year and is already the largest games development sector in Europe. Yet more can be done. The Government should retain and potentially enhance Video Games Tax Relief, improve access to finance with a new Games Investment Fund and look to invest in education and skills. Post-Brexit, it’s more vital than ever to enable studios to recruit top global talent. The UK can and should be the best place in the world to make video games. It’s within our reach, but we need further action.”

 Jason Kingsley OBE, Chair of TIGA and co-founder at games developer Rebellion, said, “We’re so lucky in the UK to have a culture that celebrates innovation and a creative vibrancy that attracts talent from all round the world. It’s crucial that we maintain our role as a destination for the next generation of games developers and entrepreneurial minds. In uncertain times, the video games industry has proved incredibly robust, but we cannot take that for granted and need to build for the future today.”

 

ENDS

Media Enquiries:

 

Rory Leader / Edward Bell

Propeller

020 3301 5353

TIGA@propellergroup.com

 

About TIGA:

 TIGA is the non-profit trade association representing the UK’s games industry. Its members include independent games developers, in-house publisher-owned developers, outsourcing companies, technology businesses and universities.

TIGA’s vision is to make the UK the best place in the world to do games business. It does this through Government lobbying and maintaining a voice in the corridors of power at both the Westminster and Scottish parliament.

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