UK Games Industry

Scottish games businesses have produced some of the world’s most successful video games including the Grand Theft Auto, Lemmings and Crackdown series. Scotland has 10 per cent of the UK’s total games companies.

Dr. Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, said:

“We are delighted that the Scottish Government is showing its commitment to expanding the Scottish Games Industry. Scotland has created some of the UK's most successful video game exports over the years and continues to play an important role in the success of the industry across the UK

“The Scottish games industry, together with the rest of the UK video games sector, now needs support from the Westminster Coalition Government. The House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee recommended this week that the Coalition Government should develop sector specific policies to support the sector. In addition to re-examining the case for Games Tax Relief, the Coalition should expand the scope and increase the benefits from the existing R&D tax credits in the March Budget. Such measures would power the video games industry and enable our high skilled, R&D intensive, export oriented sector to make an important contribution to economic growth.”

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. 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 Eva Field, TIGA PR Manager on: 07814 039 983, or email eva@tiga.org.