TIGA, the trade association representing the UK video games industry, has welcomed the newly established British Games Institute. TIGA has strongly supported the campaign for the creation of the BGI.
The BGI has been designed to raise new funds for games initiatives from public and private sources. It aims to achieve four key objectives:
- To encourage the development of the art, science and technology of games throughout the UK;
- To research and promote games’ impact on and reflection of British culture;
- To gather and share the artistic, technical and commercial expertise in games production;
- To promote and increase diversity and inclusion in the UK games sector.
The BGI will perform a different but complementary role to TIGA. The BGI will not be a membership organisation, will not conduct lobbying and will work closely with trade bodies to ensure maximum impact of their programmes.
The BGI will merge with the National Videogame Foundation, including the National Videogame Arcade. The work of the National Videogame Foundation will continue within the new organisation.
Dr Richard Wilson OBE, Chief Executive of TIGA, said:
“We are delighted to welcome the creation of the BGI. The BGI is a great way to address issues including skills, finance and cultural recognition. We look forward to working closely with the new body to build upon the success of the UK video games industry.
“TIGA will continue to campaign for a Games Investment Fund, which could be managed by the BGI. Our proposal for a Games Investment Fund, which would cost £26.5m over five years, will improve developers’ access to finance, encourage the creation of new intellectual property and strengthen the UK video games industry. The Fund would more than pay for itself through more jobs and tax revenue, and economic growth.”