TIGA

TIGA's proposed structure for tax relief sensibly draws inspiration from similar, existing schemes, including those for the UK film and French videogame industries. It will apply to any interactive product, regardless of platform or distribution - meaning games for educational, or other non-commercial purposes, will be eligible. More >

Hot on the heels of news that the UK government is to introduce tax relief for videogame companies, trade association TIGA has sent over quotes from leading industry figures welcoming chancellor George Osborne's announcement. More >

The All Party Computer And Videogames Industry Group, a collection of MPs working to promote and discuss issues affecting the UK game industry, has called on government to introduce targeted tax relief for the nation's videogame companies. More >

SpecialEffect, the UK charity which helps young people with disabilities play videogames, has been confirmed as the newest member of UK trade association TIGA. The charity, formed in 2008, says it is "dedicated to using technology to enhance the quality of life of people with disabilities." Director Mark Donegan recently told us about the organisation's work in an interview. More >

More than two-fifths of UK developers who lost their jobs between 2009 and 2011 relocated overseas, according to a report by UK trade association TIGA. The report, "Making games in the UK today: a census of the UK developer and digital publishing sector," claims that the UK game industry workforce shrank by more than 10 per cent between 2008 and 2011. Of those that went overseas, the most popular destination was tax haven Canada, followed by the USA. More >

UK trade assocation TIGA has at last spoken out against the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), describing it as like "a sledgehammer cracking a nut." In a press release, TIGA lays out its opposition to the bill, despite reports earlier this week that the proposed legislation had been shelved indefinitely until both sides of the US House Of Representatives could reach a consensus. More >

UK trade association TIGA has launched a development competition that will give four winners £25,000 each to build a playable prototype. The TIGA Games Contest, funded by Abertay University's prototype fund and announced by creative industries minister Ed Vaizey earlier this week, is split into categories: games on the move, games in the home, and social gaming. The social category is further split into games in the home and games on the move. More >

UK trade association TIGA says that Square Enix's announcement this week of a new studio in Montreal further highlights the need for the UK government to introduce targeted tax breaks for the videogame industry. Square Enix will increase headcount at Deus Ex: Human Revolution developer Eidos Montreal by 100, with the new Square Enix Montreal creating 150 jobs when it opens next year. In a press release, TIGA called on the coalition government to look again at Games Tax Relief in its autumn statement and March budget. More >

Microsoft and UK trade association TIGA are hosting an event at the House Of Commons tomorrow which will see indie developers and MPs discuss ways for devs to start up and grow their operations. The event, dubbed "dynamic entrepreneurs: supporting start-ups in the UK game industry" will feature 30 people from studios across the nation, including Neon Play, Icon Games and Trevor Williams. More >

UK trade association TIGA last night won two of the Chartered Management Institute's (CMI) Leadership And Management Awards. The trade body was named Outstanding Organisation 2011, with CEO Dr Richard Wilson winning the Outstanding Leader award. A total of 41 finalists including IBM and multinational energy company Centrica were nominated across 12 categories. More >

TIGA CEO Richard Wilson has warned the UK government ignore's Ireland's ongoing drive to attract developers at its peril. A report issued earlier this week by Ireland's policy advisory board for enterprise and science Forfas set out recommendations to double the size of the Irish game industry's workforce within three years. More >

According to a new study by E-skills UK, the sector skills council for business and information technology, UK developers are more concerned by the general state of the economy than the oft-referenced Game Tax Relief. The report, passed to Develop, polled 80 British studios and asked them to rate a list of issues on a scale of zero (no concern) to three (priority concern). The respondents rated the general health of the economy at an average of 1.8, ahead of exchange rate fluctuations on 1.5. More >

The UK body last night became the first to be named trade association of the year at the Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards two years in a row. It had been nominated in seven categories, but had to settle for a paltry four: as well as the night's top prize it won annual report of the year, the commercial initiative award, and CEO Richard Wilson was given the leadership award. "We are absolutely thrilled to have been nominated for these awards and to have won four," Wilson said in a statement. "I would like to thank our members and the TIGA board for their support. While TIGA has won four awards, this is a success for the entire game industry."