UKIE news
TIGA and UKIE merge not looking likely.
3 March 2011 - London, United Kingdom – UKIE board expresses disappointment at TIGA’s decision not to discuss forming one trade body to represent the entire UK games industry.
The statement below was today issued by the UKIE Board:
“The board of UKIE are deeply disappointed that TIGA have ruled out potential talks to discuss forming one trade body to represent the entire UK games industry. We would like to thank the TIGA board for their time and consideration of the matter and their CEO for informal talks and meetings over the past 6 months. Furthermore UKIE’s board hopes that both trade associations can and will work together on the key issues that the industry faces in the very near future.
We have had a good track record of working together with TIGA, the latest example being our sharing of UKIE’s evidence for the government’s Growth Review back in December and hope that this collaborative working can continue, all be it as two separate associations for now.
UKIE has a robust agenda, created not only in the interests of its current membership, which already includes 33 game development studios, but of the wider interactive entertainment industry. Current UKIE activity includes:
Working with industry, government and Higher Education to implement the twenty recommendations of the Livingstone-Hope Skills Review and speaking with one voice on skills and education Continued lobbying to government for implementation of our growth strategy for the UK games industry. This calls for improvements to securing access to finance for small and medium sized video games businesses, such as: calling for tax breaks, modifying rules for the R&D tax relief scheme, Venture Capital Trusts and Enterprise Investment Schemes and increasing funding for prototyping Creating a positive and thriving commercial environment through business networking, promotion and support of industry events and the delivery of vital market data including the official UK video game charts incorporating digital sales data Developing how the UK’s digital infrastructure can best support the video games industry and how the games industry can best respond to the threats and challenges that the digital market offers. This currently includes deep engagement along with other digital creative industries into the Digital Economy Act and the Hargreaves Review of Intellectual Property Working to ensure that the video games industry is represented to government on key child safety issues and areas of social responsibility, including contributing to the current UKCCIS review of parental controls and the promotion of the PEGI age ratings system”- ENDS -
Contacts:
For all press enquiries, please contact the UKIE press office on T: +44 (0)20 7534 0580 or E: press@ukie.info
About UKIE
The Association for United Kingdom Interactive Entertainment or UKIE is a trade body that represents the whole of the UK’s video games and wider interactive entertainment industry. Founded in 1989 (and formerly known as ELSPA), UKIE’s membership includes games publishers, developers and the academic institutions that support the industry.
UKIE works with government to champion a range of issues including age ratings, education and skills, tax incentives and protecting intellectual property rights. It also works with the media to ensure true and accurate representation of the sector by raising awareness of the industry’s positive economic contribution and the societal benefits of gaming to policy makers, regulators and consumers.
One of UKIE’s key roles is to support its members by providing them with key market information, promoting careers and offering the business support services, training and best-practice knowledge to enable them to operate most effectively.
In addition, UKIE works with GfK Chart-Track to compile weekly, monthly and annual retail charts and sales reports for the UK market.