10 September 2012 - London, United Kingdom– Games and interactive entertainment trade body, Ukie, calls for new system to benefit all parts of the industry.

Ukie has today used its response to the Government’s video games production tax credit consultation to outline how the new scheme would best work for all parts of the UK’s games industry.

The main points made in Ukie’s response are:

• Government is urged to make sure that the new scheme supports all parts of the industry– encouraging growth from small independent studios, existing bigger studios and attracting inward investment from multi-national companies.[/*]
• Recommending that the rate of relief should be set at 30% for all UK games development.[/*]
• There is no need for a minimum budget threshold for games to qualify for relief.[/*]
• Call for assurances that the new business models and ways of making games which stretches beyond“release” are recognised in the new tax system - which means that games businesses can claim for production costs incurred for DLC or as games continue to be developed and iterated.[/*]
• The games industry should have a specialist team dealing with Tax Returns and Cultural Test applications.[/*]
• There should be a voluntary contribution allowed for companies to invest in talent development and skills.[/*]

Ukie has spent the last two months consulting with games businesses throughout the UK– reaching a total of 221 individual companies (including 85 non-Ukie members)– from multinational publishers to one-person indie studios and everything in between. Ukie has also met with TIGA during this process to share thoughts and feedback to make sure that a consistent voice is presented to government on this crucial issue.

Ukie CEO, Dr Jo Twist said.“This scheme is a real opportunity to grow all parts of the UK games industry - from small, to medium, to big businesses - and will help people make even more distinctive and innovative games."

“Having a system that recognises the new innovative business models and production processes in our industry, allowing developers to claim for DLC and continued development, post going-live to the public– gives the UK a real advantage over other countries.” 

“Introducing a rate of 30% for all games businesses, regardless of their size, is the best possible way to ensure that the scheme gives the UK the level playing field that it needs to become a global games powerhouse.”

“We also want to urge government to effectively measure the true size of the games industry. As the recent report from Creative Scotland highlighted, it is crucial that we have accurate data so that we can judge the success of this scheme and other government policies.”

Ukie Deputy Chair, Ian Livingstone said:“The combined effect of tax breaks and a highly-skilled talent pool will mean that the UK will undoubtedly regain its rightful place as a world leader in video games development.”

“The Ukie team has done a great job in reaching out beyond its membership to speak to 221 games businesses of all sizes up and down the country to ensure that our industry response to this consultation truly represents a consensus of opinion for the entire UK. I’m also delighted to see Ukie and TIGA operating a joined-up industry approach to this very important issue.” [div]

The full response can be found here.  [/div]

-ENDS - [div]

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Contacts:

For all press enquiries, please contact the UKIE press office on T: +44 (0)20 7534 0580 or E: press@ukie.org.uk.

About Ukie

The Association for United Kingdom Interactive Entertainment or UKIE (pronounced YOU-KEY) is a trade body that aims to support, grow and promote the whole of the UK’s games and interactive entertainment industry. Founded in 2010 (although formerly known as ELSPA), UKIE’s membership includes all the major UK and global games publishers and the best of UK development talent - from promising start-ups to some of the biggest, most successful studios operating in the UK today.

We also have distributors, academic institutions, new publishers, and media outlets that are integral to the lifeblood of the industry as part of the family.

UKIE works with government to champion a range of issues including age ratings, education and skills, access to finance 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.

We also offer a comprehensive events programme to give the games industry access to key information, leading industry figures and give everyone the chance to network. You can see our events programme here http://ukie.org.uk/events

In addition, UKIE compiles weekly, monthly and annual retail charts and sales reports for the UK market.

Twitter: @uk_ik

Facebook: Ukie