Tiga-Nesta conference

31st October 2008

Tiga said today that with leading opposition politicians recognising the importance of the games development sector and the persuasiveness of the case for tax breaks for games production, the Government would soon have to show its hand: would it be trick or treat for the UK video games industry? Tax breaks for games production or indifference?

Tiga held an event with Nesta (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) on Tuesday 28th October 2008 as part of London Games Festival week. The event focussed on providing best practice business advice to games developers. The occasion also gave an opportunity for leading Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs to set out their parties’ approach to the video games industry.

Richard Wilson, CEO of Tiga, said:

“At this week’s Tiga-Nesta conference we were delighted to welcome Ed Vaizey, Conservative Shadow Arts Minister and Don Foster, the Liberal Democrats’ Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary as speakers. Both showed a strong grasp of the value of the video games development sector. Although neither was in a position to give a firm commitment of support for the introduction of a tax break for games production, both recognised the persuasiveness of Tiga’s case.

“The trajectory of political debate is increasingly in favour of a tax break for games production. The rational, right and reasonable action for Government is to introduce this measure.

“The Government must soon show its hand: will it be trick or treat for the UK games industry? Tax breaks for games production or indifference in the face of intense global competition?”

Ends

Notes to editors:

1. Tiga is the national trade association that represents games developers in the UK and in Europe. We have 160 members, the majority of whom are either independent games developers or in-house publisher owned developers. We also have outsourcing companies, technology businesses and university departments that are members.

2. 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.

3. The Tiga-Nesta event, Helping start-up, small and medium-sized games developers to grow, was held on Tuesday October 28th 2008 as part of London Games Festival Week. Ed Vaizey, Conservative Shadow Arts Minister and Don Foster, the Liberal Democrats’ Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, both spoke at the event.

4. For further information, please contact: Dr Richard Wilson, Tiga CEO on: 0845 0941095; Mob: 07875 939643; or: Email: richard.wilson@tiga.org.