TIGA Pushing For Continued UK Industry Government Support

UK-based consortium The Independent Game Developers Association (TIGA), has issued a call to the region's new culture ministers James Purnell and Margaret Hodge in hopes that they will continue the support for the games community begun by their predecessor, culture minister Shaun Woodward. While thanking minister Woodward for his considerable support of the industry during his time in office, TIGA officials also illustrated a need for government and game developers to work together to face current issues and challenges currently facing the industry. The organization specifically cited a recent report issued by Woodward which found that the UK had fallen behind Canada in terms of global game production. According to TIGA, many of the UK's game developers and talent are being lured away by regions such as Canada, which offers tax breaks and incentives. “We had a Minister who took the time to listen to the industry and verify what we told him and recognise the importance of the industry,” commented TIGA CEO Fred Hasson. “He understood that a successful industry is not only based on vat receipts from growing sales at retail, and that we need to focus on skills, talent and importantly that the sector should be supported, if it is to compete against subsidies in other territories.” “We are pleased that new DCMS Ministers James Purnell and Margaret Hodge have recently had Ministerial responsibilities for the ‘games’ sector, so that hopefully they will be able to pick up where Shaun Woodward left off but we need to keep the flow of evidence going to these new Ministers,” added Hasson.