UK games industry

Tiga said today that while the UK video games industry could be one of the most successful industries emerging from the current recession, its great potential could only be realised through the creation of a favourable tax environment, the provision of a highly skilled workforce and greater university-business collaboration. Tiga made the comments in response to HSBC’s report, The future of business: the changing face of business in 21st century Britain (June 2009).

Richard Wilson, CEO of Tiga, said:

“HSBC is right to identify the UK video games sector as a success and an industry with the potential to be one of the country’s most renowned industries. The UK development sector is highly experienced, well qualified, flexible and export driven. Tiga’s research shows that 48% of developers have been in business for six years or more. 60% are qualified to degree level and in some firms the figure rises to 80% and above. 86% of game developers operate flexible working hours. On average 46% of a developers’ turnover is generated through the export of games. The UK video games industry competes to a crucial extent on knowledge, creativity and intellectual resources. Tiga is working to promote these advantages.

Richard Wilson added:

“If the UK is to continue to be an outrider for the video games sector then the Government must create an environment in which the sector can flourish. The Government must create a tax system that encourages investment in research and development and investment into knowledge intensive industries, including the games industry. The UK must increase the supply of well educated and trainable people with degrees or the vocational equivalent in computer science, programming, design, animation and art: our video games industry needs a skilled workforce to compete successfully. Universities and developers need to work more closely together, not least on collaborative research projects.

Richard Wilson concluded by welcoming HSBC’s report:

“It is encouraging to find a bank like HSBC with such a firm interest in the knowledge and creative industries. Bank finance is an important source of finance for game developers. Tiga hopes that HSBC and other banks will support video game developers in the UK as they seek to expand their businesses to exploit commercial opportunities.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

1. Tiga is the national trade association that represents games developers in the UK and in Europe. We have 150 members, the majority of whom are either independent games developers or in-house publisher owned developers. We also have outsourcing companies, technology businesses and universities amongst our membership.

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 executive summary of HSBC’s report, The future of business: the changing face of business in 21st century Britain (June 2009), can be accessed at: http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/PA_1_5_S5/content/uk/pdfs/en/future_of_business.pdf

4. For information about Tiga’s research on the video games industry, see State of the UK video game development sector (published by Tiga, supported by Osborne Clarke, February 2009). To order a copy, please contact Nisha Valand, Head of Member Services, at nisha.valand@tiga.org

For further information, please contact: Dr Richard Wilson, Tiga CEO on: 0845 0941095; Mob: 07875 939643; or: Email: richard.wilson@tiga.org, or Eva Whitlow, TIGA PR Manager on: Mob: 07814 039 983; Email: eva@tiga.org.