Kotick: We need incentives to invest in UK

Activision's outspoken CEO Bobby Kotick has said for the company to continue to invest in the UK games sector it needs incentives along the lines of those available in other regions.

The publisher has acquired two studios in the UK, DJ Hero developer FreeStyleGames and Project Gotham Racing and Blur team Bizarre Creations.

"For us to continue to invest in the UK there needs to be an incentive provided for us to do so," Kotick told the Financial Times.

"The talent pool in the UK is among the best in the world for what we do. But we really need to see some more incentives. We are seeing great incentives in Canada, Singapore and eastern bloc countries."

Last week Chancellor George Osborne scrapped plans for tax relief in the UK after years of campaigning by developer association TIGA and publisher group ELSPA.

Activision joined TIGA this week to continue to apply pressure in government circles and push for incentives for regional game development.

Sony's Ray Maguire has also spoken out about the situation, suggesting that any future investment in the UK may be more beneficial for the format holder if invested in another country.

"The existing plans will continue but any further new developments would have to be looked at. Maybe something that was planned for the UK would go abroad now," he said.

Maguire suggested that Malta is currently looking into the the possibility of offering tax relief in a bid to lure talent to the region.