UK games industry

15 APRIL 2010 Alistair Darling, the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, yesterday met with Ella Romanos, Managing Director of indie developer Remode.

Miss Romanos was invited to present to the Mr Darling, to talk about Remode and indie game developers in general, in reference to the recent video games tax relief announced in the Budget.

Key points raised in the presentation were the challenges that indie developers face in the UK, with particular reference to funding, costs, marketing, distribution and risk diversification. The proposed tax relief was given as an example of how the industry as a whole could be supported by government, but that indie development should be considered alongside the larger, more established studios when the details of the relief are being decided.

“Indies have an important role to play in the industry, particularly with regards to innovation, creating new IP, growth potential, creating highly skilled, knowledge based jobs and their potential to inspire kids and students to stay in education and study core subjects such as maths and science“ said Ella, “there are some great examples of public and private sector support of indies, for example Channel 4 and Blitz Game Studios who are benefiting by commissioning from and working with indies, but there is potential for a lot more.”

Alistair Darling was responsive to the presentation, later explaining that he has set aside £40m for the tax relief, and is currently looking at how exactly to implement it. During the presentation he particularly focused on the potential uses of games technology outside of the entertainment market, and the fact that there are no major PC distribution portals based in the UK, which he recognised as an issue, particularly for indies. He expressed his hope that the government’s support of the industry would help to encourage growth in both such areas.

For more information please contact:

Ella Romanos, Managing Director, Remode

T: +44 (0) 1752 764244

E: ella@remodestudios.com

About Remode

Remode Limited was founded in Plymouth, UK in 2007 and is owned by Ella Romanos, Martin Darby and Andy Russell. The company develops games and simulations, and to date has produced Mole Control ( www.molecontrolgame.com), a casual PC puzzle game, which is currently being released on all major portals (including Steam) via Blitz 1UP. The team is also working on a commissioned simulation project. www.remodestudios.com

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