TIGA, the trade association representing the
UK video games industry, today welcomed the development of a Cross Party Group
for the Video Games Industry in the Scottish Parliament. Joe FitzPatrick MSP (SNP) was elected
Convenor of the Group. Mary Scanlon MSP (Conservative) and Jenny Marra MSP
(Labour) were elected co-Vice Conveners.
Dr
Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, said:
“As the only relevant
trade association for game developers, TIGA is delighted by the progress being
made towards establishing a Cross Party Group for the video games industry in
the Holyrood Parliament. TIGA works closely with the All Party Group on the
Computer and Video Games Industry in the Westminster Parliament. We plan to work
closely and effectively with the new Cross Party Group in Holyrood too.
“The formation of the
Cross Party Group demonstrates that MSPs recognise the importance of our
industry and the contribution that it can play in terms of economic growth and
education.
“TIGA is looking
forward to working with Joe FitzPatrick MSP, Convenor of the Group, and other
MSPs, to make the Cross Party Group a success.”
TIGA published a manifesto for the Scottish
video games industry in March 2011 which recommended ten measures to drive the
Scottish video games forward, including a tax break for games production to enable the UK and Scottish
video games industries to compete on a level playing field. In October 2011
TIGA published a proposal for the establishment of a Creative
Content Fund (CCF) in Scotland. The CCF would provide match funding on a pound
for pound basis up to a maximum of £100,000 in order to improve access to
finance for small studios.
After the initial meeting of the Group in
Holyrood, Joe FitzPatrick MSP, said:
“I am pleased that the group has been
established. The main aim is for developers and those key stakeholders at
Universities and Colleges to get their message across to MSPs and keep the
sector and politicians involved and informed.
The next stage is to register the new group
with Parliamentary Standards and get on with organising a first full meeting. The industry currently faces a number of
difficulties in securing finance for projects, which is inhibiting growth in
the sector here in Dundee and across Scotland. With that in mind, we intend to
examine whether a targeted tax relief, which would have to be introduced by the
UK Government, or a Creative Content Fund as proposed by TIGA could alleviate
some of the difficulties being faced by developers.
While not all of these issues are within the
remit of the Scottish Parliament, we hope this new Cross Party Group will
create a stronger voice for the key partners in the industry in Scotland and
give them more influence in policy-making to enable the sector to flourish,
develop and expand, bringing high-quality jobs to Dundee and Scotland.”
Ends
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. In
2010 TIGA won two business awards including ‘Trade Association of the Year’
from the Trade Association Forum. In 2011,
TIGA won six business awards
including ‘Trade Association of the Year’ from the Trade Association Forum and
‘Outstanding Organisation’ from the Chartered Management Institute. Richard Wilson won the ‘Leadership Award’
from the Trade Association Forum and the ‘Outstanding Leader’ award from the
Chartered Management Institute. TIGA is an Investors in People organisation.
TIGA is the trade association representing the UK’s
games industry. Our vision is to make
the UK the best place in the world to do games business. Our mission is to
fight for the interests of game developers. To achieve our vision and mission
we focus on the delivery of three strategic objectives: effective political
representation, profile raising and helping our members commercially. 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