Almost twice as many UK games now supported by Games Tax ReliefAlmost twice as many UK games now supported by Games Tax Relief

British developers are making the most of Games Tax Relief (GTR), with new figures from the British Film Institute revealing the number of video games receiving certification has almost doubled year-over-year. 

According to UK trade body TIGA - one of Game Tax Relief’s biggest proponents - 75 games received interim certification or full certification in Q1 2016, a sharp increase from the 43 titles that received certification at the same time last year. 

What’s more, those 75 games have a combined total budget of £173.6 million ($251.6 million), which is £37 million ($53.6 million) more than the combined budgets of Q1 2015’s certified projects. 

TIGA’s long battle to bring Games Tax Relief -- which gives devs the chance to claim back up to 25 percent of their production costs -- to the UK is well documented. Yet, according to company CEO, Dr. Richard Wilson, there’s still plenty of work to be done. 

"While today’s figures demonstrate GTR’s continued and greatly-needed boost to the UK games industry, there is still more to be done," said Wilson.

"For instance, increasing the £1 million ($1.45 million) limit on subcontracting would enable more big game projects to benefit from GTR, while also helping small firms that provide outsourcing work. 

"Increasing the outsourcing limit could also enable smaller games companies involved in the supply chain to build up their skills, talent and capacity."

To date, Games Tax Relief has assisted in the creation of 152 new games, with total budgets of £290.4 million ($420.9 million) for titles receiving final certification.