TIGA, the trade association representing the UK gamesindustry, said today that the Government’s draft cultural test for video games could
promote the production of games that might not otherwise be made and could help
to secure a sustainable UK video games industry. TIGA added that the cultural
test is a further milestone on the road to implementing an effective Games Tax
Relief.
TIGA made the comments in response to the Government’s
publication of Creative Sector Tax
Reliefs. Cultural Test for British Video Games: Consultation. Games will
need to pass a cultural test in order to be eligible for Games Tax Relief. The
requirement for a cultural test is in line with the European Commission’s rules
on State Aid and the final design of the cultural test will be dependent upon
input from both the consultation and the European Commission.
Games will need to secure 16 out of 30 points in order to
pass the cultural test and so be eligible for Games Tax Relief. Games will secure points if their content
meets fundamental features of the Cultural Test.
The Fundamentals:
- Cultural
content: British or European or
fictionalised locations and characters; British or European narrative; artistic
costs; and language - British
heritage: British or European cultural heritage - Creativity:
innovations in gameplay, graphics, AI, audio, physics or functionality - Diversity:
including promoting and increasing visual, on-screen diversity - Cultural
hubs: development within the UK.· - Cultural
practitioners: creative input of UK or EEA nationals.
Dr Richard Wilson, CEO of TIGA, said:
“TIGA’s purpose is to strengthen the UK video games industry
and to secure an effective Games Tax Relief. This draft cultural test is good
news for the UK video games industry. It will promote the production of games
that might not otherwise be made and help to secure a sustainable UK video
games sector. “I am particularly pleased that the draft cultural test
recognises the importance of art and music in video games and has the potential
to support games set in a fictional setting, including science fiction and
fantasy based games.”
Jason Kingsley OBE and TIGA Chairman and CEO and Creative
Director at Rebellion, said:
“TIGA strongly believes that video games can be
cultural products. TIGA has been deeply involved with the Department of
Culture, Media and Sport, working closely with key officials to help determine
the cultural test. TIGA will continue to consult with its members and the wider
industry on the nature of the cultural test and we look forward to working with
the Government to get Games Tax Relief implemented in 2013. This is another
milestone on the road to an effective Games Tax Relief.”
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’
accredited 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: 07875 939 643, or
email richard.wilson@tiga.org.