Ukie has used their response to the EC investigation to outline why there is a clear and evident market failure relating to the production of culturally British or European games being made by British studios, which the UK Government’s proposed games production tax credit scheme would address.
Ukie have set out the following reasons why the EC’s doubts are misplaced and why the aid should be approved as soon as possible:
Ukie’s full response to the EC investigation can be found here.
Ukie’s response contains evidence from some top British developers and publishers, including: David Amor, Relentless; Ed Bainbridge, former VP, Disney Interactive Studios; Simon Bradbury, Firefly; James Brooksby, Born Ready Games; Paul Canty, Preloaded; Craig Fletcher, Multiplay; Sophia George, Swallowtail Games; Darren Garrett, Littleloud; Richard Griffiths, Rogue Vector; Richard Lemarchand, former Naughty Dog; Ella Romanos, Remode Studios; Jim Rossignol, Big Robot.
Ukie worked closely with DCMS and HM Treasury in creating its response and also made sure that there was a consistent industry voice on this vital issue with TIGA. Ukie also ensured that there was support for games industry tax credits from other UK creative industries who have submitted letters of support
Ukie CEO Dr Jo Twist said: “The UK needs tax credits to make sure that we can reverse the current trend for games being made with non-European cultural themes. As the audience for games increases, it is important that developers of all sizes can make commercial decisions in a financially competitive tax system. Fewer people are making games in the UK, which means that fewer games are being made which advocate our sense of humour, our creativity and our identity as European citizens. We need to have tax credits introduced as soon as possible”.
Ukie Chairman and Chair of Mastertronic, Andy Payne said: “It has never been clearer that the UK needs these tax breaks. Video games have huge cultural reach and are now pushing creative boundaries like no other medium. But unfortunately too many games are now created without British or European themes, a problem that will continue to exist unless we get tax credits introduced. Without tax credit there will be fewer developers operating in the UK, which means fewer British games being made. The case made by Ukie clearly spells this out to the EC and we urge them to get them in place before the situation gets any worse.”
CEO of Remode Studios, Ella Romanos said: “As with many developers we operate part of our business on a work for hire basis. Whilst this remains a valuable revenue stream, tax credits would offer us a real incentive to make our own original IP incorporating British or European themes. We hope that the EC listens to the points made in Ukie’s submission so that we do receive the tax credits the UK industry urgently needs.”
eTeknix says “This is a serious issue for many European and UK based games developers who have over the years been dwindling in numbers, many moving to countries such as Canada where tax breaks allow them to create games on a smaller budget, but also maximise their profits from the sales of the games, leaving the UK out of any hope of developing this industry and as a result loosing out on both taxes and jobs here in the UK.”
Thank you Ukie for providing us with this information.
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