DCMS confirms that the proposed ‘culturally British’ game tax test will be based on the current film test
A ‘culturally British’ test – to determine which UK game projects may receive tax relief – will be based on a similar test used by the UK film council, the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) has confirmed.
The Government is set to review whether the UK games industry deserves better tax breaks in order to make the sector more globally competitive. As outlined in the Digital Britain report, if such a review is in favour of the industry, then UK dev projects will receive tax breaks if they are deemed to be making “culturally British video games.”
Speaking to Develop, the DCMS spokesperson said that this culturally British game test will be “based on the same rules that we have for films.”
At this stage in the government’s review, the cultural game test has not been finished nor shown to the public, though the DCMS explained that “the way films have to qualify to be culturally British would be the same as games.”
Looking at the Culturally British film test, it’s clear that any kind of similar test for the games industry could dramatically change how games are made, where they are produced, what characters they follow, where the narrative is set and indeed how much of the subject matter is entwined in British culture.
The UK Film council has produced a list of films which have achieved status as being Culturally British, and include popular movies such as Hot Fuzz, 28 Weeks Later and RocknRolla.
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Currently, the UK Film Council’s culture test is based on a range of criteria, most of which could feasibly translate to game development.
The cultural test for film awards each applicant points from four different sections, with the maximum points in each section shown below:
a) Cultural Content (16 pts) – Determining whether the film’s narrative is set in the UK, whether its lead characters are British, whether the film is centred on British subject matter, and if the dialogue is recorded “in the English language”.
b) Cultural Contribution (4 pts) – Determining whether the film represents “a diverse British culture, British heritage or British creativity”
c) Cultural Hubs (3 pts) – Determining whether the film is produced in the UK studios.
d) Cultural Practitioners (8 pts) – Determining whether the cast, crew and/or producers come from the EEA (European Economic Area), with points besed on each role.
The maximum points available are 31. For a film project to pass as culturally British, at least 16 points are required.
However, films have to score particularly high for being set in the UK, and for having lead characters as British residents (both in part A). If films fail to do so, then a significant number of points need to be made up through being “based on British subject matter or underlying material.”
As the Digital Britain report states, the Government is still reviewing whether such a tax relief system is to be put in place.
Go here for ‘Culturally British’ film test.
Rob, can you clarify how this was said when you spoke to the DCMS? In other words, did their spokesperson volunteer this info, or did you ask if it would be 'safe to assume" that the test would be the same? In other words, did they indicate that they had actually sat down and talked about this (thus starting to formulate the rules) or was this them agreeing with you to get you off the phone?:)
Yeah good luck, I've been trying to pitch a survival horror game set in the UK for years, noone was interested.
Not a fan of pulling the curtain back, but for you I'll make an exception. :)
When calling the DCMS I specifically asked what the DB report meant by “culturally British”.
I was told no one immediately knew and they would get back to me. I received a call a few hours later, being told what I’ve quoted.
I was then sent links and documents through email about the UK Film test.
Hope this helps.
So 11 pts are a given, just because it is being made over here.
4 points are up for grabs in the more vague cultural contribution. Odds are any IP from this country (rather than abroad).
So companies still need 1 point to qualify. A token brit should do. The bad guy probably.
You say that, but a lot of films that get these tax awards aren't trying to get just over sixteen points, they're trying to be British.
Thanks Rob. I was curious as to what went on. to be honest, it sounds like they still haven't started to formulate things - "yeah, we'll follow the film system" sounds like a good fob off when they haven't worked out what to say.
The good news is that I suspect most games could be seen to be culturally British under that system. Take, say, the forthcoming Operation Flashpoint 2 by Codies (since I'm really looking forward to that one).
a) Cultural Content. (I'm assuming that four criteria/16 points = 4 points each) Not set in the UK - 0 points. Lead characters British - not sure, tbh. Could easily be made so - 4 points. Centred on British subject matter - probably 0 points. Dialogue in English - 4 points. That's 8 points there.
b) Cultural Contribution (4 pts) – Determining whether the film represents “a diverse British culture, British heritage or British creativity. Who knows? British company, the design done in Britain. Maybe 4 points, or maybe nothing depending on how restrictive it is. Let's go with nothing for now.
c) Cultural Hubs (3 pts) – Determining whether the film is produced in the UK studios.Three points here. (Question the effect of outsourcing art creation abroad? Maybe reduce it to 2 points for this section?)
d) Cultural Practitioners (8 pts) – Determining whether the cast, crew and/or producers come from the EEA (European Economic Area), with points besed on each role. Given that the vast majority of Codies staff are from the EEA, let's give this just 7 out of 8 points - no point being too greedy.
So:
Cultural Content - 8 points
Cultural Contribution - 0 points
Cultural Hub - 3 points
Cultural practitioners - 7 points
Total - 18 points. That should do it. And I think this would apply to most games produced here, if not all.
A new Viva Pinata - stick some references to British cultural heritage in there (small stonehenge, pinata Morris dancers, etc) and you're good to go.
Or set levels from ANY racing game somewhere in the UK. There's your cultural heritage box ticked.
Yeah, I can't see how this is anything other than box ticking (not that I'm complaining). Would have been better if the DCMS had been able to say that they've taken a decision that the criteria would be the same as film, but I suspect they've put the phone down, thought of the quickest answer that will shut people up, and come up with this - it's already there, requires no work, phone him back.
Good stuff though, cheers.
Re: Guru Larry,
I'm with you there. Everywhere I've worked in the UK in the games industry has had a downer on British focused games. The received wisdom is that only games that are culturally relevant to the American market are profitable.
